Soft launching your game is a critical step to ensure its success, and testing monetization is one of the most pivotal phases. In this guide, we outline the key steps to effectively plan and execute a monetization test, helping you assess whether your game has the potential for scalable growth or if it needs further refinement — or even retirement.
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Understanding the Monetization Phase
The monetization phase is the final checkpoint in a game’s soft launch journey – following the Tech Test and Retention Test. Its purpose is to evaluate the financial viability of your game in a controlled environment. By testing player spending behaviors, lifetime value (LTV), and projected revenue, you gain essential insights that inform your decision to proceed with a global launch or pivot.
Three Essential Tips for Monetization Testing
Test in Proxy Markets
Once your core monetization features and game economy are fully operational, the next step is to gather data from markets similar to your primary audience. For example, if your primary market is the United States, consider testing in Canada or Australia. These proxy markets provide player behaviors and spending patterns comparable to your target audience without exposing your game prematurely to its primary market.
To start, acquire a sample size of 10,000 to 20,000 players from these regions. Analyze their data to project game revenue and calculate player LTV. These metrics are crucial in determining your game’s readiness for a global launch.
Identify Key Spending Patterns
Dive deep into your monetization data to uncover how and where players are spending money in your game. Key insights might include:
- The popularity of certain monetization features, such as battle passes versus soft currency purchases.
- Patterns in player spending that can be optimized to align with your goals.
For example, if players are heavily favoring a specific monetization feature, analyze why this behavior occurs and identify opportunities to balance or enhance other aspects of your game economy. These insights empower your product team to make data-driven adjustments that maximize player LTV.
Be Prepared to Kill Your Game
The reality is sobering: most games will not succeed. In fact, over 90% of games fail to turn a profit. Monetization testing is not just about identifying strengths — it’s also about recognizing weaknesses and knowing when to cut losses.
Approach this phase with brutal honesty. Use a small, controlled budget to test and assess the game’s potential. If the data reveals fundamental issues that are unlikely to be resolved, it might be time to shelve the project. Having these tough conversations between marketing and product teams early can prevent greater financial loss down the line. Successful game developers mitigate risks by testing multiple games and investing further only in those that show true promise.
Next Steps After Monetization Testing
If your game demonstrates solid monetization potential and player engagement, you’re ready to transition to scaled growth. Use your findings from the monetization phase to refine your marketing strategy, optimize player acquisition, and confidently enter your primary market. By following these steps, game developers can make informed decisions about their game’s future and minimize financial risks. Remember, the goal of a monetization test isn’t just to succeed but also to identify when it’s time to move on to the next idea.
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