Monetization Optimization in a Runner Hyper-Casual Game

Smartest techniques in the business.

Service: Monetization

Punchline Highlights

210% Boost in Rewarded Ad Engagement
3.2x Increase in Daily Video Ad Revenue
61% Higher Retention on Day 14
$800K Monthly Revenue from Ad-Only Model

1. About the Game

This case study explores a Runner Hyper-Casual Game featuring fast-paced obstacle dodging mechanics and simple one-tap controls. The game was designed for short sessions and minimal onboarding, making it suitable for broad audiences with low entry barriers.

2. The Challenge

Short Sessions, Short Monetization Windows: Players averaged just 65 seconds per session
High Churn Rate: Day 1 retention stuck below 18%
Low Fill Rate in Tier-3 Countries: Monetization gaps during global scale-up
Interstitials Were Causing Rage Quits: Especially on early retries
No Long-Term Player Motivation: Resulting in zero lifetime value beyond 3 days

3. Strategy / Solution

Rewarded Video as the Core Driver

Replaced all interstitials after level fails with rewarded retries
Introduced Double Coin Runs unlocked via Unity Ads and AdMob video spots
Used Mintegral and Bigo for filling Asia and Tier-3 markets
Tested Auto-Opt-In Ads: Started countdown timer upon fail for a retry option

Session-Length Growth Mechanics

Added endless zone unlock: Players needed to watch 2 ads to access it
Introduced Skins and Trails via daily login challenges
Gated access to new environments behind 5-ad watched achievements
Created a Momentum Meter that rewarded continued runs with perks after ads

Long-Term Retention Hooks

Integrated weekly leaderboard tournaments with Adjoy-sponsored rewards
Introduced Lucky Spin Wheel once every 24 hours (watch to spin)
Rolled out a mini-battle pass (ad-driven) with skin, coin, and retry perks
Local push notifications with daily ad bonus reminders and timed events

4. Monetization Strategy

Revenue Source	Placement Strategy	Revenue Share
Rewarded Video Ads	Retry after fail, double coins, unlock skins, spin wheel	71%
Interstitial Ads	Shown after 3 runs, capped daily	18%
Adjoy Tournaments	Sponsored daily leaderboard incentives	7%
Skin Unlock Challenges	Watch-ad based rewards in streak missions	4%

Heavy focus on value-exchange ads instead of intrusive formats
Ads integrated into progression and cosmetic systems
Multiple ad networks used to balance regional CPM differences

5. Results (Long-Term Performance)

Metric	Month 1	Month 6	Month 12	Growth
Daily Ad Revenue	$5.2K	$13.9K	$24.8K	↑ 377%
eCPM (Tier 1 / Tier 3)	$14.2 / $3.7	$18.5 / $5.9	$19.1 / $6.4	↑ 34% / 73%
Avg. Session Length	65s	104s	117s	↑ 80%
D7 Retention	8.4%	15.2%	17.6%	↑ 109%
D14 Retention	3.1%	7.9%	9.4%	↑ 203%
Video Ad Engagement Rate	26%	47%	54%	↑ 107%
Total Monthly Revenue	$156K	$418K	$803K	↑ 414%

6. Conclusion

This runner hyper-casual game defied traditional retention ceilings through ad-centric design and session-length boosters. By structuring gameplay around rewarded video loops instead of disruptive monetization, the game not only doubled its eCPMs but also retained casual users into long-term spendless fans.

Strategic ad personalization, region-based network balancing, and an incentivized leaderboard transformed a short-burst tapper into a sustainable ad revenue engine.