Last updated on Mar 18, 2024

How do you monetize sandbox games without compromising gameplay quality?

Sandbox games are popular among online gamers who enjoy creating and exploring their own virtual worlds. However, developing and maintaining such games can be costly and challenging for developers, who need to find ways to monetize their games without ruining the gameplay quality and user experience. In this article, we will discuss some of the strategies and best practices that can help you monetize sandbox games without compromising gameplay quality.

1 Sell cosmetic items

One of the most common and effective ways to monetize sandbox games is to sell cosmetic items that enhance the appearance of the characters, vehicles, buildings, or environments. Cosmetic items do not affect the gameplay mechanics or balance, but they can appeal to the players' sense of customization and self-expression. You can offer a variety of cosmetic items, such as skins, outfits, hats, accessories, decals, or emotes, and price them according to their rarity, quality, or demand. You can also create seasonal or themed cosmetic items to generate more interest and revenue.

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Muhammed C.
Making a fan contest where players can vote the theme, favourite cosmetic or evens submit their design is a good way in combining engagement and monetisation. Including cultural aspects into the cosmetic is also a way to profit from the engagement and create a positive mouth-to-mouth.
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2 Offer premium subscriptions

Another way to monetize sandbox games is to offer premium subscriptions that grant access to exclusive features, content, or benefits. For example, you can offer a monthly or yearly subscription that allows players to create more worlds, use more resources, join more servers, or get more storage space. You can also offer perks such as faster loading times, priority queue, or ad-free experience. However, you should be careful not to make the premium subscriptions too expensive or too essential, as that can alienate the free players and create a pay-to-win situation.

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Kaushik Bhatti

LinkedIn Community Top Voice 🎖️ Transforming Concepts into Digital Reality...
Offering premium subscriptions is a strategic way to monetize sandbox games without compromising gameplay quality. By providing exclusive features, early access to updates, or additional in-game content for subscribers, players are incentivized to support the game financially while enjoying a superior gaming experience. This model allows developers to generate revenue continuously and sustainably, ensuring ongoing support for the game without resorting to intrusive ads or pay-to-win mechanics. Ultimately, premium subscriptions create a win-win situation for both players and developers, fostering a positive gaming community and ensuring the long-term success of sandbox games.
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3 Implement microtransactions

Microtransactions are small purchases that players can make within the game to obtain items, currency, or services. Microtransactions can be a good source of income for sandbox games, as they can provide convenience, variety, or customization options for the players. For example, you can sell in-game currency that can be used to buy cosmetic items, resources, or upgrades. You can also sell services such as teleportation, respecification, or name change. However, you should avoid selling items or services that give unfair advantages or affect the gameplay balance, as that can frustrate the players and harm the game's reputation.

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4 Use advertising

Advertising is another option to monetize sandbox games, especially if you have a large and active player base. You can display ads on the game's website, launcher, or loading screens, or integrate them into the game's world, such as on billboards, posters, or signs. You can also partner with brands or sponsors that are relevant to your game's theme, genre, or audience, and promote their products or services in exchange for a fee or a share of the revenue. However, you should be careful not to use too many or too intrusive ads, as that can annoy the players and affect the game's immersion and performance.

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5 Create DLCs or expansions

DLCs or expansions are additional content that you can create and sell for your sandbox game, such as new worlds, modes, features, or storylines. DLCs or expansions can be a great way to monetize your game, as they can provide more value, variety, and longevity for the players. You can also use DLCs or expansions to introduce new elements, mechanics, or challenges that can enhance the gameplay quality and user feedback. However, you should make sure that your DLCs or expansions are worth the price and compatible with the base game, and that you do not neglect the core game or split the player base.

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6 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?

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How do you monetize sandbox games without compromising gameplay quality?

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1 Sell cosmetic items

2 Offer premium subscriptions

3 Implement microtransactions

4 Use advertising

5 Create DLCs or expansions

6 Here’s what else to consider

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