Looking for an introduction to monetization, Kii, Admob, Mobclix, iAd, etc

News & General Discussion
1

Hi all :slight_smile:

I am currently working on releasing my first game, planning to be released on Android and/or iOS (Most likely Android first) and am starting to think about monetization.

I’ve started reading up and searching as much as I can for existing info on this topic and have come across most of the names, terminology and things to confuse me with. From what I’ve seen, the most commonly mentioned ad networks are Kii, Admob, Mobclix, iAd, Startapp, Appwiz, etc. I’d love it if someone can say “You should use X because they are the best” but there is probably no such thing, so What is the difference between these ad networks and what are the things I should look for to decide which one is right for me?

Other than ads, what else should I be thinking about when it comes to monetizing? What plugins are available (Prime31’s plugin seems promising (prime31 - Mobile game and app experts specializing in Unity games and plugins)) that can help me get started quickly?

2

While I can’t really help you with deciding, I can add another ad network name in, Unity cloud! We’re looking for beta members so if you think you fit the criteria hit the apply button. https://unity3d.com/beta/cloud

3

Thanks Aurore,

I’ve signed up now. I’m not sure what my chances are like though being a developer with little real experience and no release as of yet!

It also still doesn’t really help me understand the business model any clearer! :stuck_out_tongue:

4

You can use startapp for it. It is best way for getting money.
Link - http://startapp.com/rfang3x

5

If it would be best way, you wouldn’t have to spread referential links.

6

Chartboost is pretty decent and easy to integrate without need for plugins.

7

I don’t understand why people buy Prime31 when each ad service has there own Unity3d plugin that’s pretty well updated.
Can someone explain the advantages and disadvantages of using third party plugin instead official plugins from the ad provider?

8

@MrEsquire, I am also curious about this fact. Official plugin should be safe and at the same time up to date.

9

BUMP

10

caution: [NOT FROM MY OWN EXPERIMENT, data are from friends and other known people]

Admob seems to be the king. Airpush is also good, but be sure to check with google’s policy at present time. I have no idea for other services. If I were you, I would go for admob for a version. Then with some slight modifications I would go for others as well. some providers offer an “atleast eCPM” figure for a particular time frame. For example amazon, in this march-April.
One friend told me, at first it is kinda slow for money to come, then it is fast. $1000 for an app is very common. I sense he used push notification networks such as airpush.

For plugin, you can use official ones. Most them have official free unity plugin.

I am also eager to hear other people’s experience:smile:.

11

RevMob was easy to integrate and yields terrible results for me. I considered replacing with Admob and decided even one day of my time was better spent working on the next product.

Gigi

12

Yeah, I agree. RevMob is super easy to implement. I am quite surprised at how poor the results have been with RevMob. My results with AdMob are way better.

Between the two, I’d say give AdMob a shot first.

I answered this question in more detail on the latest Unity news podcast. http://bit.ly/1fXrxae

13

eskiMob had just released its SDK to unity3d Android developers
Best PPD is promised, for ALL COUNTRIES!

We generate a unique out-of-app monetization and user retention tool, that from now turns also unity apps into money-making machines

Feel free to signup in the website, PM or drop a mail to omri@eskimob.com

14

Hi All,

At AdBuddiz we have an SDK especially for Unity developers (Android and iOS). It’s 3 lines of code and simple to integrate.

We specialise in premium full-screen ads.

Cheers,
Clara

15

I tried Chartboost and RevMob and had better experiences with Chartboost, which is a very good paying network IMHO.

16

I actually don’t like AdBuddiz… But now I am Using AirPush… Great Ads… They are very less in no. and Give PPD too…

17

Hi,

Unity just acquired Applifier, we the product called GameAds. It is a video ad network and it monetizes well for Android and iOS. Please take a look at it https://everyplay.com/gameads/monetize

You could also take a look at the replay sharing product, that gets you free organic users and bolsters your user community. https://developers.everyplay.com/

There are multiple products and offerings out there, you could test them and then pick one that fits your game best and monetizes well. We are happy to offer you the chance to test us, I know we deliver excellent eCPMs =)

I would gladly answer the questions here or via email.

Pekka Aakko
Applifier / Unity
pekka (at) -removethis-applifier.com

18

I hope to try that soon. Do you plan on expanding to the other Unity supported platforms such as WP8?

19

Yes I was also going to bring this up as well. I have lots of questions, but for now what I’m interested in is… how will Applifier/GameAds work in conjunction with Unity Cloud? Both seems to offer mobile ads service. I know Unity Cloud also offers other services, but since the two offer mobile ads in game how does Unity/Applifier plan to not overlap with each other?

20

Airpush I tried and couldn’t get the support I needed for Unity, so I bagged on that one. Revmob made some good money. Dont’ use StartApp (only Android), it will get you lots of bad reviews, it installs spam on the user’s device. Playhaven and HeyZap have been the best revenue wise, I recommend those. And both their plugins are free. Playhaven also has tons of other cool features, dynamic things you can update online like clickable announcements to cross-promote your other games later, so it’s invaluable.

AdBuddiz has a pretty bad fill rate unless most of your traffic is in 1st world countries (ours is not).

Video ads are supposedly better money wise, but we haven’t used them yet. Heyzap also has video ads now.

On Android, HeyZap and TapJoy are the best money-wise.

Non ad stuff, we haven’t tried Kiip yet, but we are going to. EveryPlay is cool and easy to intergrate.