The freemium model—free to play with optional purchases—has dominated mobile gaming for years. But I wonder, is it sustainable long-term? Players are getting tired of constant ads and pressure to buy stuff. Could this lead to a decline in user retention?
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I think sustainability depends on innovation. New trends like subscriptions and play-to-earn models are shaking things up. Freemium might need to evolve or combine with these to stay viable. Otherwise, players might just switch to games offering better value or less pressure.
You’re spot on — the freemium https://urbanmatter.com/beyond-downloads-mobile-gaming-monetization-evolution/ model has been huge, but its sustainability is definitely in question. Constant ads and aggressive prompts to buy can quickly frustrate players, making the gaming experience less enjoyable. When users feel pressured or overwhelmed, they’re more likely to quit, which hurts long-term retention. For the model to last, developers need to strike a better balance—offering fair monetization without disrupting gameplay. Otherwise, the very tactics meant to boost revenue might push players away, risking a decline in the mobile gaming community overall.