Free Game or Paid Game for Android and iOS?

Target Platforms Mobile
1

Dear all,

I am wondering is it better to make a free or paid game for Android/iOS devices? Few weeks ago I developed my first game and published it on Google Play. I added some ads (MoPub, Chartboost etc.) and I didn’t make a single cent. I have only 200-300 downloads and I know I can’t make millions, but there were hundreds or even thousands of impressions, 50-100 clicks but 0 earnings. If this game was not free, and if only 1 person bought it, I would make more money. Also, I found some kind of statistics that says that on iOS over 75% of games are not free and I assume that developers know this and that it’s more profitable for them to charge for games.

I also think about this in this way: If someone from my country (I’m from Croatia) downloads my game that has ads, I will make nothing. Also, I will make nothing if I charge for this game because not much people from Croatia buy games online. But if someone from USA wants to play my game, he/she will simply buy it for let’s say 99 cents. Do you (dis)agree and why?

Or you like in-app purchases the most? Or you prefer publishing a free demo and paid full game?

2

Does your ads have mediation service ? Also try ads with this service. Maybe someone can advise a good one. I have used only Appodeal and it was not bad. But you will need much impressions for Appodeal or your traffic will be redirected to AdMob (and you will need google account too). Ok, its not really bad, because admob should be good for your region.

check this link, translated from russian to english about ads in 2016

free or paid: it is depended on game and platform. You can not sell bad games :smile: You should be brilliant seller, if you will sell something on android markt :roll_eyes: And as you said, its easier to sell something on iOS.

3

Pretty much everything on mobile is free.

In games, if everyone is doing something, it might indicate time to move on to something else.

While the premium market is much smaller, it might be more profitable for you.

2 Likes
4

I think iOS users seems to be good at paying for games. May be for Android have free version for some time to get some feedback to enhance your game.

5

I wouldn’t pay money upfront for a mobile game of an unknown developer. Not trying to be mean, just saying.
So I’d suggest making it free. Your game either has a marketing problem or just isn’t interesting enough.

6

But would you make it free and charge for full version or extras?

7

Depends on the game I guess? In general I’d try to make it free (probably with ads) and charge for extra content or to remove the ads.

1 Like
8

What’s the game in question? Monetization model can be highly dependent on the game itself

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9

Not to poke at ya - but you aren’t marketing the game well if there is no link for us to check out your game. This post could have resulted in a couple downloads, and maybe even one interested user.
If you are talking about your game you should also be promoting/marketing your game.

As for free vs premium, I prefer good premium games. Nearly everyone lists there game as free - even if it isn’t. Free with one time purchase to unlock entire game - imo - is the best for both publisher and gamer who can try before they buy.