How would you balance in-game ads to maximize revenue without compromising player experience?

Ads should be rewarding! They should never interrupt the gameplay. When players encounter an ad, they should be fully aware of the benefit. They should know exactly what they need to do and what they will get in return. For example, in the 9-year-old Sybo's Subway Surfers ad placements, at the end of a level, players can see how many coins they’ve earned from the run. Right underneath, they can see exactly how much more they can get from watching a rewarded video ad. This provides a strong incentive to watch the ad. Be creative with ad placements and bring excitement to the table.

Level Up Your Ad Placement Think outside the billboard: Imagine power-up vending machines displaying real-world drink ads after a boss battle, or mid-race car customizations sponsored by auto companies! Integrate ads into the gameplay itself for a more natural flow. Interactive Ads: Let players tap on a banner ad to trigger a short, funny minigame related to the product. Complete the minigame and they earn in-game rewards or even a discount on the advertised item! It's a win-win-win for players, advertisers, and you. Let the players get a taste of something cool, and you get your ad views.

Balancing in-game ads to maximize revenue without compromising the player experience requires a thoughtful approach. Integrate ads seamlessly into the game so they feel like a natural part of the experience rather than an interruption. Use non-intrusive ad formats like rewarded videos, where players opt to watch an ad in exchange for in-game rewards, or native ads that blend with the game's content. Limit the frequency and placement of ads to avoid overwhelming players. Continuously gather and analyze player feedback to understand their tolerance and adjust ad strategies accordingly. By prioritizing the player experience while strategically placing ads, you can maintain player satisfaction and achieve revenue goals.

Um ótimo exemplo da estratégia "recompensa em troca de anúncio" mencionada por Redoun é o jogo Asphalt 9: Legends. Ele oferece aos jogadores a chance de assistir a um anúncio em vídeo para reiniciar a corrida em um ponto próximo ao local onde falharam, permitindo que tentem novamente e avancem no jogo. Essa estratégia beneficia tanto os jogadores quanto os desenvolvedores, criando uma situação onde o anúncio é visto como algo positivo dentro da experiência.

An easy way to solve this problem is to limit the Reward Ads, this way the ads become something to look for and more desirable. this approach might lower the revenue but has a positive impact on player experience.

Uma forma eficaz de limitar as Recompensas de Anúncios, sem prejudicar a experiência do jogador, é atrelando-as a desafios opcionais dentro do jogo. Exemplo: Imagine um jogo de RPG onde o jogador precisa coletar recursos para fortalecer seu personagem. Após completar um desafio de coleta complexo, o jogador desbloqueia a opção de assistir a um anúncio em troca de um bônus de recursos. Benefícios: ・ Controle do jogador: A escolha de assistir ao anúncio reside no jogador, recompensando aqueles que buscam progressão acelerada sem penalizar os demais. ・ Valorização da progressão: As recompensas obtidas via anúncios complementam o esforço do jogador, sem substituir a sensação de conquista.

Let them know in order to maintain the fun you are providing for them, it's only fair if they contribute in one way or another. A nicely worded popup before the first interstitial, with two options of "purchase no ads" or "I choose to watch ads" can increase user's tolerance towards ads, just because they have "chosen" to watch ads, and it's not just imposed on them.