- Scopely’s Monopoly GO! has exceeded three billion in revenue since its launch and was honored with the Mobile Game of the Year award last night
- However, the game has the potential to earn an additional 2 million USD in ad revenue each month
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Scopley’s popular mobile game Monopoly GO! has been a tremendous success, attracting and engaging audiences while establishing a strong partnership with Hasbro, the owner of the Monopoly IP.
Yet, could there be untapped opportunities for growth and increased revenue?
In this article, GameBiz Consulting’s ad monetization expert, Božo Janković, shares insights on how Scopely could seamlessly integrate ads into the game for long-term revenue growth.
Scopely struck gold with the launch of Monopoly GO!, a free-to-play mobile game in late April 2023. Despite being available for only eight out of twelve months, the game ranked 13th in top downloads and ninth in top grossing for the year.
The game has achieved 145 million downloads and generated 1.4 billion USD in revenue solely from in-app purchases.
Since its release, Monopoly GO! has amassed three billion USD in revenue, according to Hasbro.
In June 2024, the game earned 91 million USD in revenue with approximately 4.8 million downloads, ranking sixth in top-grossing games.
While the game has garnered significant acclaim, little focus has been placed on its potential for ad monetization. Currently, the game does not display any ads. However, with its gameplay and mechanics, Monopoly GO! could seamlessly integrate ads and significantly boost revenue.
We believe that Monopoly GO! is a prime candidate for various ad integration opportunities.
In this article, we explore the missed opportunity for ad monetization in Monopoly GO! and how integrating ads can enhance player experience and revenue potential.
Simple Yet Strategic Gameplay
The game features straightforward gameplay mechanics that offer ample room for ad integration:
- You roll the dice automatically, with the option to increase rolls for each move.
- Your token moves automatically across the board.
- Special events and rewards are triggered automatically on specific fields.
- “Train station” fields lead to bank heists or missions, adding strategic depth.
Despite the simplicity, the game includes elements such as city construction, collectibles, friend interactions, and LiveOps to engage players further.
In terms of in-game economy, there are two primary currencies available for purchase: rolls and money. Players can acquire these currencies through in-app purchases or in-game actions.
Integrating Rewarded Video Ads
By implementing rewarded video ads strategically, Scopely can enhance player engagement and generate additional revenue without compromising the game experience:
- Rewarded video ads, when opt-in, can boost player retention without impacting churn rates.
- These ads can offer meaningful rewards without cannibalizing in-app purchase revenue.
There are numerous opportunities for implementing rewarded video ads seamlessly within the gameplay.
For instance, players could opt to watch ads to double rewards, receive additional spins on the color wheel, or avoid paying bail while in jail.
Integrating rewarded video ads could also offer opportunities for players to earn extra rewards, rolls, or money by engaging with ads.
Mockups demonstrate how these ads could be seamlessly integrated into the game environment, keeping player experience and ad relevance in mind.
Players’ feedback and behavior indicate a positive reception towards rewarded video ads, paving the way for potential revenue opportunities.
