How to monetise your game..

Do you want your games to earn incremenal revenues? Maybe you have free games that could earn you some cash?

How? Use igLoader and get paid for it!

How long does it take to download a game? 1,2 maybe 10 minutes? That's time that can be used for advertising!

The next Major release of igLoader features an integrated ad engine, if the advert can be delivered via HTML it can be viewed in igLoader.

igLoader customers have three options :-

1) Allow us to serve the ads direct to igLoader. Included in the normal license fee, you get a cut of ad revenues.

2) Purchase a license for the Ad Module and serve your own ads, you keep all the ad revenues.

3) Just purchase igLoader and leave the ad module turned off.

How much can you earn? Well that depends on how popular your game is.

[edited a bit out]

Actually, thats a good idea if we get to choose the adverts :D

Basically it's an extension of the "Loading Screen". One of my customers wanted to use a Flash movie as the loading screen and this grew from that.

It's not Ad-Ware because we don't force you to use the stuff, it's your choice.

Heyhey, I was just kidding :) I edited my post. :) I think your products and ideas are right corkers :D

I reworded too :D

it's a smart idea, and represents forward thinking...

ads are big business via the net... you can make some serious cash this way... IndieP is giving a lot of us a possible pathway towards self sufficiency with this new gateway...

this is getting to be more and more interesting...


--Mike

I agree, Ive got a couple of low-eng products that might be good for this stuff :D

Even I can see it and I'm just a dreadful old cynic! ;O)

Nice job Indie.

I was hoping (due to the subject title) though that this was a shader/processor that made your images look like they were in the Style of Monet though :O( (can't get a coconut every time)

What's this? people agreeing with me? whatever next.

they vote you for the president`?

He'll be back...

@ GA

Indinator, what a concept! ;O)

I vote little Timmy O'Toole for president.

I wouldn't call Grey Alien GA, theres another GA on these forums! :)

Plus if you pronounce it it sounds like gay. =]

No it doesn't, it sounds like Ga, or Je-Ay.

@ Cygnus - well don't do it then, but somebody has to! ;O)

& how do you know I was talking to Grey Alien? I could have been saying it to "another GA on these forums" as you put it. ;O)

@ Toby Zuydidlyfink - is this an issue? <shrug>

polygoon: Yeah Tim is from the future where all games are made by computers and played by robots. He wants to give humans a chance, so has travelling back to encourage us all to make games.

Toby: Sorry but GA doesn't sound like GAY any more than MA or BA does, the Y makes it chance sound ;-p Having said that Grey sounds a bit like Gay I guess. Luckily I spelt it with an "e" not an "a" so that noone mistypes Gay Alien. Sounds a bit like some kind of horrible manga beast usuitable for minors.

Tim: Sorry I derailed, the ad thing is groovy. I may well have make use of it.

Bang goes another thread.

It's friday Tim, think beer!

Then bring it back with some sensible post later.

@ Indiepath:

yeah, it was short; but mighty while it lasted.

The good die young!

nonono don't carry it on, or he'll explode into beautifully rendered, highly optimised, independant particles.

Tim: So will your ads (option 1) be google ads or paid for ads by other companies? Also have you drafted any example possible revenue figures yet e.g. X downloads = $y from advertising. So we can see how X needs to go before $y > cost of igLoader? I presume the ads are display only, they don't have to be clicked to generate money as this would be dumb cos you would move away from the game page.

How will you pay the revenue? Dribs and drabs or when it reaches a certain level, Paypal style?

The ads are not Google Ads, I am probably going to work with DoubleClick.com. Revenue is generated per page view and per click through.

Click throughs will open a new browser window, they will not interrupt the download. It is actually possible to have the webpage embedded within igLoader but it looks kinda crap.

I can not talk $$$ at the moment as I am still negotiating the deal. We all want to take a cut of the fee and it's getting that fine balance.

Payments will be made per month provided a minimum threshold is reached. It is pointless making lots of financial transactions per month as the bank fees will be higher than the amounts paid! Payments will not be made until payment is remitted from the Ad supplier.

Oh and I forgot to mention....

The same technology can be used to embed webpages, movies, flash, shockwave etc... into your own games (Win32)...

The standalone version is a simple .dll that handles all the stuff like communication with the flash movie so in theory you could make a menu system in flash and use it in your game. But I'll release that another day.

this new technology sounds cool.

Anyway, I see it makes sense to click on ads while the games is loading after all. An yeah, paying monthly not in dribs and drabs is certainly teh way to go. My business account costs me around £7-8 a month just to write and receive a couple of cheques and use the transfer card a couple of times, it's a rip off. Originally it hard startup business discounts and gradually the discount% got lower until it's now 0%. I could change but the time taken to chance will costs me money, sigh.

It's not that new, some company already sell a solution for Flash in Blitz.. Mine is just a little less complicated. In fact anything you can render in your browser, plugin permitting, can be rendered in you Blitz App.... Even complete websites with links and all :D And yes it will download Flash etc for you if it's not installed.

Doesn't doubleclick's ad feed also spawn pop-ups windows, or can you limit it to just static banner images?

Popups created by a game loader screen would be very disruptive, after all...

Eww Doubleclick, had all their ads ad-blocked ages ago in Firefox...anyhow, it's still a nice offer you're bringing up, I just hope the ads are those of the unobtrusive/small file-sized ones that dont interupt with the downloading of the actual program/game itself, there are still dial-up users out there ya know.

I did not know that about DoubleClick, Thanks! Popups I will not tolerate!!

Have any bad news about FastClick?

Doesn't ring any bells... Although they must be fairly common too, given that I noticed three of their domain names in my host file that I'm blocking on my computer. ;-)

.

*pops in*

Yep, there is another GA here, I like to think it stands for Gallium, but in reality I can't think up a good name and just used my initials.

Back on topic,

This is a very good idea, with more and more games, getting bigger and bigger, having to be downloaded this could be a good way to recoup the bandwidth costs. From an end user perspective, I'm not too sure that I will get that much money from it, how many times do you ever click ads?

IMHO, a far better use of this sort of ad technology would be to offer a module that could be used to easily create an add within a GUI program that could be removed once the user registers. I'd think that would have a much wider audience.

@GA, it's going to be mainly funded by page impressions and not clicks.

so if i have a game on my site and it gets a lot of plays then you cut me some of the revenue from the ads?
sounds like a good idea

@slunkar, yep!

just a thought ... do you only really make money from the first play because next time they play the game is cached so no ads will have time to display? Perhaps people will get cunning and keep releasing minor updates to force a new download each time. Do they have to keep going back to you for minor updates to get them authorised with the key or can they use that gloader control panel thing?

@Grey, good question. I'll leave it up to you. You activate the ad module via HTML Tags, you choose the size and position of the AD, you can also force a delay before the game is launched. So yes, if you want to show an ad before the game is launched you can do so. You also have access module via igLoader messaging so you could infact embed avderts within you game if you also wanted.

Minor updates are all handled by the webtool.

ah OK. So to make money, you might be better off making a game that sounds so cool, new people want to download it every day, but once they play it, you don't really care if they come back again, unless you implement the delay to show at least one ad I guess.

? Of course I care if they come back, repeat business is more cost effective than new business.

Lets not get confused here, the Ad module is to generate incremental revenues, the revenues are derived when people are downloading your "FREE" version of your game. Once the game is installed and on the client you can force the user to watch an ad each time they play or you can do the polite thing and just launch the game - your choice.

Lets use a real example like Xmas Bonus (some assumptions here):-

- $0.01 per Ad View ($10 CPM)
- Ad Rotates every 30 seconds
- Download Time 2 Mins

Total Impressions per download = 4
Revenue Earned per download = $0.04

Total Downloads (based on 2 weeks for Xmas Bonus) = 60,000 (ish)

Total Incremental Revenue generated = $2,400

igLoader cost you $60, I think you made a profit!

60,000? Is that a made up figure? I think I should churn out some game. =]

no it's not made up but that was downloads from 2 portals. It could be a bit trickier to get that many downloads of a game from your own site unless you were really well known. Anyway, the point is, even if you make $100 a month, that's pretty good for doing nothing. Plus if you have 5 games that's $500! for sure it's a winning solution.

why not use the ad revenue service for the Igloader web-embedded game.
It sounds like you are only showing an ad when someone downloads the game for offline play.

What about putting an ad at the top of the game while they are playing it in the webbrowser.

?

He means: Rather than loading it in IgLoader itself, simply slap a banner ad on the page that also contains the igloader window. That way it stays open and keeps serving ads continuously whileyou play the game.

How horrible would it be to have to pause gameplay every 15 minutes for a forced commercial break !!
That's what will happen eventually if this trend continues - and it will.

I am probably the only person in the UK who is pleased to pay their TV license - the absense of any commercial breaks in programs on the BBC is an oasis in the constant commercial bombardment we are subjected to at every turn of daily life. I swear SKY tv and others now have nearly 50/50 programs and commercials - its sickening. Pretty soon we'll have to interupt the commercails for a program break.
I would hate to see video gaming go down the same path.

What, and you don't think they do this already? Well they do but it's well disguised.

Yes, the trend has already started , the seeds are being planted and in time it will get worse with forced breaks between levels while you are subjected to a couple of minutes of ads - as in television the length of time of the commercial breaks will slowly grow so no-one notices et voila, before you know it, half your gaming time will be taken up by commercial breaks and messages from our "Sponsors".

60,000!!!!/????!!!?!?!?!?!?! :)

I understand thats not 60,000 sales, but i'd be chuffed if i got more than 8 downloads a day :)

yup it gone dun alright, yes siree!

What about an ad every time they visit the page that contains the embedded game?

@Slunkar, What I am talking about here is using the available Loading Screen space. Typically this is 640x480 and has an image with a loading bar. It's normally wasted space that can be used to better effect.

A bunch of sites like pogo.com do exactly that... You can play a bunch of their games online for free, but have forced 'intermissions' during which they throw ads at you.

I've now completed the first round of negotiations with media agencies. I have opted for a number of agreements that, I hope, will provide igLoader customers with a good mix of ads.

The adModule is a new feature of igLoader, it is turned off by default - you are not required to serve adverts.

In true fashion all the ad size and position parameters are userdefinable.

Ad types are :-

- 728/468 Banners
- 160/120 Skyscrapers
- 400x350 Rectangle
- 180x150 Rectangle
- 120x140 Text Advert

CPM varies depending on the Advertiser it can be anywhere from $0.5 to $10.00. Ads will be a mixture of CPM and CPC, a clicked advert will open a new browser window and will not interrupt the game download.

{edit}I've seem some advertisers paying upto $15 per click!

I detest all types of UNSOLICITED advertising - it is a growing problem that is slowly infiltrating every form of communication that exists. SMS messages - calls to your private home from people tryimg to sell you something you don't want - junk mail - spam - the list goes on.
We are bombarded 24 hours a day at every turn and through every possible form of media.
Soon you won't see any content because of the volume of ads - pretty much like commercial TV where the ratio of program to ads is nearly 1:1.
If I'm downloading something the I don't want to be redirected every five minutes or getting pop-ups trying to sell me something else. I am more likely to cancel the download and then not view/purchase the original item I was downloading.
Unsolicted advertising and unrequested redirections and pop-ups should be illegal !!

For the benefit of the community... Smiff, I suggest you stick your head in the sand 'cause advertising is big business whether you like it or not.


Let's make a clear distinction here about what this is. This is not SPAM, this is not irrelevant crap, this IS well targetted advertising that IS relevant.

And where would the world be without advertising eh? What toothpaste did you use this morning? why that one? what shop did you get it from? why that one? which bank did you withdraw the money from to buy the toothpaste? why that one? Oh you used your VISA, why VISA? why that credit provider?

Yes of course advertising is big business - it's also the bane of modern society and a constant nuisance and just because it's big business that doesn't make it good or correct.SMS Text messages clogging up our phones - Spam , Junk mail clogging up inboxes - pop-ups and unwanted redirections while sufing the internet. Sales people making cold calls to private numbers - we are not even safe in our own homes from the avaricious advertiser.
You can't watch an hours T.V without half an hour of commercial breaks. It is out of control, it is now beyond normal advertising , it is intrusive and aggresive.

Just because you are obviously very much influenced and directed by advertising that doesn't mean everybody is.
You may notice that I mentioned UNSOLICITED advertising. If I am actively looking for a product then I can always solicit or find what I am looking for. What I detest is the constant bombardment of UNSOLICITED ads.
I am not a person who buys certain brands swayed by advertising. My toothpaste is normally the cheapest of the shelf - normally the "value" or "no-frills" product. The shop I bought it at will be the closest to home or one that is the most convenient to me.
I use whatever credit card that gives me the lowest rate of interest - I often reseach myself maybe even SOLICIT a bit of advertising.I switch often and NEVER use a credit card based purely on an advert which would be daft.

Not even I am niave enough to think that my products will sell themselves.

Bottom line, if you want to generate incremental revenues with your licensed version of igLoader then you can. If you don't like adverts and the like then I suggest you lock yourself in a dark room and block your ears, and probably your nose.

I dont get what the point was in that "I dont like ad's" post- simple, you don't need to use the product. You wont stop others using it for good though...

There are many ways to advertise your product without using this intrusive method. How would you feel if you were standing in a queue to get into the cinema or a show and some bloke comes up stands right in front of you and thrusts a placard in your face so that's the only thing you could see. It would be a bit rude. So is this method of advertising. You are redirecting someone to a page they didn't want to go to. Whether you may feel its relevant or not is not the point. You can't decide what is relevant for someone else.



Not necessary - you can just pay the PostOffice a fee to stop junk mail - pay the phone company a fee to stop Junk calls - get a spam and ad-aware program on your pc and record all T.V. programs to your hard disk recorder in order to play back without ads !

Believe it or not - it is possible - the world does not stop turning - and I'll still be able to buy toothpaste !


I very much doubt that anything I say will influence anybody at all. I am simply against unsolicited redirections and intrusive advertising on the internet. Under any guise.

ACtually Smiff I agree on a lot of fronts cos I hate advertising too but derailing someone's thread who is trying to sell a product to feed his wife and kids isn't so cool.

Well that's certainly not my intention and after all it is a General discussion forum not a market place.
Perhaps a possible solution would be to advise the person who is downloading that the download process contains ads/redirections and give them an option to disable the ads if they didn't want to view them.

This whole thread is a damn advert so whether Smiff likes it or not "Smiff" is now part of the machine! Ha ha haaaaaa

Oh btw, just delivered a 170MB game with igLoader!!! Anyone heard of "Alien Arena"?? Soon you'll be able to play it in your browser!! I can already :P (ooops that was an advert!)

In a happy place =]


Colgate, because it's what I've been using since I was raised. Ask my parents.


The one closest to me.


Commonwealth, again the one closest to me.


Mastercard actually, because I went into my bank and said I wanted a credit card and they gave me forms for this particular one. I don't know why, it's not even really theirs. In any case, whoevers it is, didn't do the paperwork properly, cuz I got it, despite being out of work at the time =D


You can in Aus if you watch SBS. nyeh! =]


No he's not. He's displaying ads in a space usually reserved for 'Please, wait, loading...' messages. No pop ups, no redirections, what the hell has your arguments got to do with igLoader?!? From just higher in this very thread:

We've just completed a deal with a major ad network, igLoader has been given the green light! The igLoader "ad-ready" version has already been shipping for a couple of weeks, we can now (officially) serve adverts as games are downloading.

The deal represents a significant revenue opportunity for igLoader customers, major advertisers are excited about this new medium, the CPM reflects that.

Expect a press release very very soon.

Note: This is an opt-in service, you are not obliged to serve adverts.

I forgot to mention that developers signed to Cloverleaf get a free igLoader license for their games, they also get a share of the ad revenue generated by downloads of their web games on the site.

Thanks Jake :D

COOL!

whey! :D

Soon :P

Aymes: I'm taking a cut of your revnue for suggesting this idea ;-p

I want a cut too, Aymes!! ;) >.<

But...but....this is unfair! *cries* They're ganging up on meeeee

*grabs a spear* *taps spear on floor in Rhythmic pattern*

*changes mind and leaves you all out in the cold*

B******s! [edited]

Nooooo, you've ruined it for me Cygnus. Shall we get 'im Aymes? What concerns me is there was no winking smiley on Indiepath's post :-O

yeah! Spoilsport cygnus!

And you're right, thats usually what to look out for when he's kidding...He's not that mean though!...is he? :o

I hate ad's in game but feel okay if its a "Buy that game or play it for free after you have clicked on that ad" thing. A way to make this possible?

Would IGLoader give me direct feedback after a user has clicked on an ad (not that i wouldnt trust you:D)?

Will i have ways to control of what gets advertised?
I.e an EA or "Best games for free" ad would be a little contra productive;)
Preview? List of URLs or whatever?

*changes mind like the wind* :D

@Takaun,

There are no ads in-game, this is utilisation of space within the loading screen, that's it. I could make the ad-code available to the application but that's not covered by my marketing agreements.

Yes, there will be some content filtering, I am working with the ad-providor to make this possible.

The main stream revenue on these ads is going to be page impressions, click throughs do work but should be thought of as a nice little bonus.

Real-time reporting is not available, we do track clicks and impressions per igloader application BUT since the ad-providors information is always about 8 hours old it will take about 12 hours for our stats to be properly updated.

phew /wipes sweat off brow. This really will be a boon for Indiepath developers :-)

It's live! http://www.igloader.com

Now you can get Advertisers to pay for your igLoader licenses!

how can I monitor how much money my online games have made? Thanks.

Jake, you will be able to monitor clicks very soon. I will not be able to offer real-time earnings yet as real-time information is not yet available to me. Watch this space.

ok, sounds great, thanks for the reply. This is cool. It's Pavlina's stuff working for me, I don't life a finger and my web games start making money, nice.

An excellent example of how it should be done : http://www.binarysun.co.uk/online-games/bubble-blitz/

An igLoader game gets pride of place on b92.net and will be marketed for the duration of the world cup : http://www.b92.net/sport/mundijal2006/

I expect the developer to make a lot of money from the igLoader advertising revenue.