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CEO Christian Lövstedt of Midjiwan expressed concerns that aggressive monetization in top mobile games is driving away loyal players due to high costs. At a Devcom session titled ‘How Aggressive Monetisation is Ruining Mobile Gaming, and How We Can Fix it,” Lövstedt highlighted the prevalence of tactics like virtual currency, extra lives, power-ups, time-savers, and loot boxes.
He criticized the lack of transparency surrounding the real cost of in-game items, often making it hard for players to track their spending. This, coupled with complicated virtual currency systems, can lead players to unknowingly overspend.
Lövstedt emphasized that beloved games like Clash of Clans and Golf Clash can become financially burdensome over time, leading to loyal players being priced out. He also questioned whether some games are veering into the realm of casino-like practices.
Moving on to Midjiwan’s flagship game, The Battle of Polytopia, which is available across various platforms including mobile, console, and PC, Lövstedt explained the different monetization strategies employed. On mobile, the game is free to download with certain factions available at no cost while others require payment. The focus is on providing a complete gaming experience without the need for constant in-game purchases.
Midjiwan’s approach involves targeting a wide player base with affordable offerings, emphasizing transparent pricing and creating a positive purchasing experience.
Despite acknowledging lower player lifetime value compared to other free-to-play games, The Battle of Polytopia has seen steady growth and user engagement over the years, with significant revenue spikes following key updates.
In conclusion, Lövstedt highlighted the team’s agile development process and commitment to delivering regular updates while discarding unsuccessful features. Stay tuned for more insights from Devcom and Gamescom 2024.
