free-to-play
No entry fee
Free-to-play describes games that can be downloaded and played without upfront payment.
Revenue comes instead from optional purchases—cosmetic items, power-ups, or premium content: The game is free-to-play, but you can buy skins.
The model dominates mobile gaming and has spread to console and PC titles.
Critics note that some free-to-play games pressure players into spending through design choices.
Small payments within software
- in-app purchasesTransactions within downloaded software
- loot boxesPaid random virtual rewards
- battle passPurchasable progression track
- premium currencyPurchasable virtual money
skins · gacha · pay-to-win · ad-supported · whales · minnows · gems · coins
Hybrid monetization approach
- trial periodTemporary testing interval
- subscription tierPricing level for ongoing service
- paywallFee-based content restriction
- spending habitsTypical purchasing behaviors
Software entertainment for smartphones
- MMOHuge shared gaming world
- MOBACompetitive team strategy game
- battle royaleMulti-combatant elimination contest
- match-threePuzzle genre, align symbols
casual gamers · multiplayer · Steam · Epic Games · app store · Fortnite · Genshin Impact · Clash of Clans
microtransactions
Small payments within software
- in-app purchasesTransactions within downloaded software
- loot boxesPaid random virtual rewards
- battle passPurchasable progression track
premium currency · skins · gacha · pay-to-win · ad-supported · whales · minnows · gems · coins · energy system
freemium
Hybrid monetization approach
- trial periodTemporary testing interval
- subscription tierPricing level for ongoing service
- paywallFee-based content restriction
mobile games
Software entertainment for smartphones
- MMOHuge shared gaming world
- MOBACompetitive team strategy game
- battle royaleMulti-combatant elimination contest
match-three · casual gamers · multiplayer · Steam · Epic Games · app store · Fortnite · Genshin Impact · Clash of Clans · Roblox
- gaming businessmicrotransactions, loot boxes, DLC, pay-to-win, battle pass
- gamingvideo games, buff, games, PlayStation 4, gameplay
- gaming commercemicrotransaction, in-app purchase, loot box, battle pass, premium currency
- video gamesvideo games, gameplay, Fortnite, mobile game, arcade
free-to-playpay-to-play
Access costs money
premium · paid · retail · subscription · one-time purchase
free, play, freely, freedom, freeness, freer, freest, unfree, played