Monetization Optimization in an RPG Mobile Game

1. About the Game 

This case study focuses on an RPG (Role-Playing Game) with strong character development, gacha-style summoning, PvE campaigns, and seasonal PvP content. Built for mid-core and hardcore mobile audiences, it faced challenges in sustaining long-term user monetization post-onboarding.

2. The Challenge

• Weak Post-Tutorial Spending: 72% of first-time purchases happened during Day 1 offers, with low follow-up purchases
  
  
• Flat Premium Currency Sales: Gacha system didn’t scale well beyond early engagement
  
  
• Short Season Retention: Players churned after unlocking key characters in the first few days
  
  
• PvP Monetization Gap: Power users weren’t incentivized to spend consistently
  
  
• Gacha Fatigue: Daily login rewards made summoning feel routine, reducing the perceived value of purchases
  
  

3. Strategy / Solution

Gacha Rework and Meta Depth

• Introduced rotating elemental banners and targeted summon mechanics with increasing pity timers
  
  
• Layered meta-game loop with ascension tiers requiring rare resources available via bundles
  
  

Mid-Core Engagement Hooks

• Built seasonal Battle Pass featuring exclusive skins, gear shards, and elite tokens
  
  
• Created a monthly VIP ladder based on session streaks and total spend
  
  
• Daily missions tuned to match spending tiers
  
  

Monetization Refinement

• Dynamic pricing for IAP packs using player LTV clusters
  
  
• Bundle suggestions personalized by previous purchase behavior
  
  
• Revamped first-time offers into narrative-driven arcs (e.g., Recruiter’s Scroll, Dark Summoning)
  
  

Ad Integration

• Integrated rewarded ads via Mintegral, AdMob, and Unity Ads
  
  
• Used only in resource boost and revive mechanics
  
  
• High-tier players shown optional offerwall during events via Bigo Ads
  
  

4. Monetization Strategy

• 
  Focus on immersive IAP-first design with non-intrusive reward ads
  
  
• Monetization layered into RPG progression without gameplay disruption
  
  
• Offerwall introduced tactically, not by default
  
  

5. Results

6. Conclusion

The RPG genre offers deep progression, but monetization needs to complement the narrative and strategy loops — not interrupt them. By shifting to an LTV-based monetization model with narrative-driven IAPs and utility-based rewarded ads, this title saw a major uplift in revenue and user engagement.

The case highlights how well-positioned battle passes, adaptive gacha mechanics, and event-time offers can turn one-time payers into sustained spenders.