larryBird44
Supreme [H]ardness
- Joined
- Feb 17, 2003
- Messages
- 5,353
The game publisher releases a game, but in two different versions: one is free and ad-supported, the other is not.
Free Ad-supported
You get to use the full version of the game FOR FREE as long as you want, but there will be product placement in the load screens and/or in-game but never interfering with the game mechanics. The load screens with product placement should be interactive (like mini games you have to solve) to reinforce brand image and make the user want to come back. The time limit should be no more than 3-5 minutes. At any time you can purchase the full game from the same service to remove ads and nags.
Full Version
The full version of the game will cost $40 (just throwing that out there, but it should be cheaper than $55-$60).
Now, why wouldn't' someone just pirate the full version? Because you'll miss out on the online multiplayer that typically gets broken in a cracked version. The free ad-supported version has everything that the full version does, including online accounts and tech support.
Let me remind you though, you will be watching ads and will get nagged. At the very start of the game, you get a 3-5 min pre-game. If you die (single-player or multi-player) you will have to watch a 1 min vid or do something interactive for that period.
The key to making this whole operation work is to that the newest games have to be there, ready to go the same day the full version hits the shelves. Who knows, it may even be better to turn on the free one a week prior.
I can't pretend to know enough to make up advertisement revenue based on this, but I can imagine companies of all kinds would want to pay big bucks for time alone with their targeted demographic.
This solution can give the publisher 3 additional profit scenarios for the publisher is pretty good IMO:
1. Player tries ad-supported version for 2 weeks, doesn't purchase game and stops playing. (profit from viewing ads)
2. Player doesn't mind the ads and never purchases game. (profit from ads)
3. Player tries ad-supported version, but later purchases full version. (initial profit from ads, later game sales)
Free Ad-supported
You get to use the full version of the game FOR FREE as long as you want, but there will be product placement in the load screens and/or in-game but never interfering with the game mechanics. The load screens with product placement should be interactive (like mini games you have to solve) to reinforce brand image and make the user want to come back. The time limit should be no more than 3-5 minutes. At any time you can purchase the full game from the same service to remove ads and nags.
Full Version
The full version of the game will cost $40 (just throwing that out there, but it should be cheaper than $55-$60).
Now, why wouldn't' someone just pirate the full version? Because you'll miss out on the online multiplayer that typically gets broken in a cracked version. The free ad-supported version has everything that the full version does, including online accounts and tech support.
Let me remind you though, you will be watching ads and will get nagged. At the very start of the game, you get a 3-5 min pre-game. If you die (single-player or multi-player) you will have to watch a 1 min vid or do something interactive for that period.
The key to making this whole operation work is to that the newest games have to be there, ready to go the same day the full version hits the shelves. Who knows, it may even be better to turn on the free one a week prior.
I can't pretend to know enough to make up advertisement revenue based on this, but I can imagine companies of all kinds would want to pay big bucks for time alone with their targeted demographic.
This solution can give the publisher 3 additional profit scenarios for the publisher is pretty good IMO:
1. Player tries ad-supported version for 2 weeks, doesn't purchase game and stops playing. (profit from viewing ads)
2. Player doesn't mind the ads and never purchases game. (profit from ads)
3. Player tries ad-supported version, but later purchases full version. (initial profit from ads, later game sales)