Why Mobile Games Make the Live Service Money

This article dives into the financial success of mobile games and how they approach live service and monetization. It examines why traditional game studios and publishers have struggled to replicate this success, specifically focusing on the example of "Genshin Impact" and its approach to live service.

• Mobile games often generate significant revenue, averaging $40-$50 million per month.
• The article highlights that traditional studios often miss two crucial points in their attempts to create successful live service games.

The Pain is Gone

The article explores the shift in game design from "fun pain" to more player-friendly approaches. The concept of "fun pain" refers to intentionally creating barriers or frustrations in a game to incentivize players to spend money to remove them. This practice was prevalent in early F2P and MMO games but has largely been phased out in modern mobile and live service titles.

• Modern mobile games, like "Genshin Impact," prioritize a more enjoyable player experience and have moved away from "fun pain" mechanics.
• The article emphasizes that the focus has shifted to rewarding players, creating a positive feedback loop that encourages engagement and spending.

Multiplayer Doesn’t Work

The author debunks the notion that multiplayer is the key to success for live service games. While multiplayer is a popular feature, it's not the primary driver of player engagement or monetization.

• Games like "Genshin Impact," "Arknights," and other successful mobile titles have achieved high revenue without a heavy focus on multiplayer.
• The article emphasizes that the true driving force behind monetization is the release of new, engaging content that players want to spend money on.

What Equals Money?

The article delves into the importance of having a monetization model that directly supports and enhances gameplay. It argues that simply offering cosmetics isn't enough to sustain a live service game. Players need to feel that spending money unlocks new and valuable gameplay experiences.

• The success of gacha games like "Genshin Impact" and "Arknights" is attributed to their monetization models that offer new characters, abilities, and gameplay mechanics.
• This approach directly translates to increased gameplay value for players, incentivizing spending.

Continued Development

Consistent content updates are critical for the long-term success of any live service game. The article emphasizes the need for frequent releases of new content to keep players engaged and interested.

• Ideally, new content should be released on a weekly basis. At the very least, monthly updates are essential to maintain player engagement.
• Games that release content only every six months or more are likely to suffer from declining player base and revenue.

Exiling Frames

The article examines two notable exceptions to the typical live service model: "Warframe" and "Path of Exile." These "free-to-play" games have massive monetized shops but don't rely on pay-to-win mechanics. Instead, their monetization focuses primarily on cosmetics and quality-of-life improvements. This allows players to experience the core gameplay without spending money, creating a positive player experience and fostering a thriving community.

• "Path of Exile" offers a vast and ever-expanding ARPG experience that can be fully enjoyed without spending money.
• "Warframe" allows players to acquire new frames and weapons through both time and money, providing flexibility and choice to players.

Concord Concerns and the Future of Live Service

The article concludes by discussing the recent release of "Concord" and its struggles. It argues that the traditional multiplayer live service model might be reaching its limit, as players have become increasingly accustomed to and demanding of new experiences.

• Games like "Genshin Impact" have raised the bar for live service games, setting a new standard for quality and scope.
• Live service games need to offer unique and engaging gameplay experiences that go beyond traditional multiplayer formulas.
• To succeed, live service games must prioritize consistent content updates, player engagement, and a clear roadmap for the future.