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Online Gaming and Esports in India

How Free-to-Play Games Earn

Free-to-play games make money from advertising and small in-app purchases, with a few big spenders providing most revenue.

Free to download, paid to advance.

In-app purchases

Players buy cosmetic items, boosts or extra lives.

Ads

Players watch ads for rewards, and advertisers pay per view.

Big spenders

A small share of players often account for most spending.

Design

Levels and rewards are designed to keep players engaged.

A rewarded video

A player watches a short ad to get an extra life.

Believing free games are risk-free for children

In-app spending can add up.

Key takeaways
  • Ads and purchases fund games.
  • A few users spend a lot.
  • Design encourages engagement.
  • Spending needs supervision.
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