Why Is Monopoly Go So Profitable And Consistently At The Top Of The Game Charts?
Monopoly Go has achieved high profitability by integrating multiple gameplay modes, accurately targeting its audience, and adopting innovative advertising strategies. Even in the face of revenue fluctuations, it has remained at the top of the game charts.
Monopoly Go is undoubtedly a top-tier casual mobile game, boasting both high engagement and exceptional profitability. Despite only being online for 18 months, it raked in over $3 billion in its first year, a truly impressive feat.
However, according to online data, player spending in November was down 47% from its peak in March. Despite this, it still remains firmly in the top ten of global grossing charts.
In the second half of 2024 alone, Monopoly Go’s publisher earned $5.29 billion from the App Store, catapulting it into the top five global app market publishers, behind global giants like Google and TikTok.
How did the game developers create a phenomenal game like Monopoly Go? How does it maintain its position in the top ten global monthly grossing games despite facing revenue challenges?
Is it solely based on Monopoly IP? So why is its profitability so much higher than other mobile games using Monopoly IP?
Gameplay
Core Gameplay
Monopoly Go cleverly blends elements of casual games, casino games, and board games. However, it’s primarily aimed at casual gamers, so its core gameplay remains primarily casual.
Casual games are all about simplicity and accessibility, making them accessible and enjoyable for everyone. Monopoly Go truly delivers on this promise, allowing players to simply tap the screen and enjoy the experience.
Furthermore, it cleverly combines simple, casual mechanics with core casino elements, add-ons, and a progression system.
The core gameplay loop involves rolling dice to move around the board, earning cash, and building monuments to complete the map.
Deep Gameplay
To prevent boredom, the game incorporates deeper gameplay to retain new users. This depth is reflected in the add-ons and progression systems borrowed from mid-core games.
The game’s primary progression system is building and upgrading. To complete a level or map, players must acquire and upgrade various buildings and monuments. Each map represents a different city and serves as a level.
This progression system creates a sense of accomplishment and gives the core casual mechanics a purpose. In addition to unlocking new maps, players can also unlock various items as they level up.
What Are The Monetization Models?
Paid Ads
In-game advertising is still a growing area for marketers. Monopoly Go frequently updates its ad creatives to attract new users and increase revenue conversion rates.
Monopoly Go’s ad creative primarily showcases gameplay by clicking dice or banknotes, with other formats including influencer voiceovers and live-action short videos.
In late November, the development team cast four talented actors for a new commercial. This playful creative features the iconic Mr. Monopoly, voiced by comedy legend Will Ferrell, alongside Jason Momoa, Keke Palmer, and Chris Pratt. The cross-platform campaign includes over 20 original videos.
Currencies
While consumable items like gold can be redeemed for real money, Monopoly Go Stickers cannot. In Monopoly Go, players roll dice to move around the board to earn currency, which is used to acquire and upgrade buildings, complete maps, and advance to the next level.
Rolls
There are various packages available, ranging in price from 30 to 3,200 Monopoly Go Dice. Players can earn generous Rolls by completing city construction or simply waiting.
Rewarded Video Ads
Monopoly Go seamlessly integrates rewarded video ads into the game to increase in-app revenue. Players can watch ads to increase their daily rewards, earning more dice rolls and money.
Specific implementation methods include:
- Reward Mechanism: Watching ads earns players extra Monopoly Go Dice, game coins, and more. This instant reward encourages voluntary viewing.
- Game Progress Accelerator: Watching ads can speed up building upgrades or map completion times, helping players advance to the next level faster.
- Special Events or Promotions: Watching ads during events may unlock unique content or limited-time offers, increasing player engagement.
- Daily Rewards: Watching an ad for the first time each day offers additional rewards, encouraging players to log in daily.
Overall, Monopoly Go stands out in the competitive mobile gaming market thanks to its integration of diverse gameplay, precise audience targeting, innovative advertising strategies, and clear monetization model. It has maintained its strong position despite revenue fluctuations. Its success is not accidental, but the result of a combination of factors.