$2 billion in revenue last year

strategic application of casino and family game mechanics to optimize the sales funnel

OPTIMIZE THE SALES FUNNEL

A recent "Financial Audit" guest admitted that they spent hundreds of dollars on "Monopoly GO!". Intrigued by how Monopoly, which doesn't seem like it would support intense monetization, was extracting money from destitute r-slurs, I googled. I was surprised to learn it made $2 billion.

This article describes it's many monetization strategies. I'm not very familiar with mobile gaming so learned alot . If you're a true !g*mers that's also not familiar with mobile this article will shed light on WTH is going down on phones atm. It's written by a grifter with admiration for the uber-grifting Monopoly GO! has achieved through various nefarious means.

It seems that Monopoly GO! is a slot machine which rewards you for getting others to play. You roll for properties and you roll to attack other's properties and you play monopoly sometimes too! The wide appeal of the Monopoly brand enables this game to spread across generations and demographics that games about collecting anime girls or gardening can't.

Owned by Saudis

the Public Investment Fund of Saudi Arabia, recognizing the transformative power of technology and entertainment in economic expansion, has made strategic investments in these sectors, positioning itself as a driving force in the digital landscape. Among its diverse portfolio lies Savvy Games Group, the company behind the groundbreaking acquisition of Scopely in July 2023. This acquisition, a bold move in the ever-evolving gaming industry, signals Saudi Arabia's unwavering commitment to user acquisition and its ambition to establish Monopoly GO! as a global phenomenon.

Mask the fact that it's a slot machine game by using Monopoly brand.

While the lifetime value (LTV) of slot machine users is substantial, the associated user acquisition costs are equally high, making it a risky proposition for game developers.

Monopoly GO!, much like its predecessor Coin Master, masterfully exploits this dynamic by cloaking a Coin Looter in the guise of a beloved family game. By tapping into the nostalgic appeal of Monopoly, the game lures players in with a sense of familiarity and comfort, disarming their defenses against the monetization tactics that lie beneath the surface.

Invite friends feature allows targetted advertising

Since the release of iOS 14 and the subsequent privacy changes, user acquisition for mobile games has become an increasingly complex and challenging endeavor. Traditional methods, once highly effective, have become less reliable, forcing developers to get creative in their approach. The developers of Monopoly GO!, however, appear to have discovered a novel and cost-effective solution – the game's social features. While seemingly innocent, the "Invite Friends" feature serves a dual purpose: expanding the user base and gathering valuable data for targeted advertising.

When players invite friends, they unknowingly grant the game access to valuable data points such as their friends' contact information and potentially even their gaming preferences. This data can then be used to create targeted advertising campaigns, reaching out to potential players who are more likely to be interested in Monopoly GO! based on their social connections and gaming habits.

This ingenious approach to user acquisition allows Monopoly GO! to circumvent the limitations imposed by recent privacy updates and reach new players in a cost-effective and organic manner. By harnessing the power of social interaction and leveraging the trust between friends, the game has carved out a unique path in the ever-evolving user acquisition landscape.

You can attack other players using money. I feel like this might be the feature stolen from Clash of Clans?

The game's social feature, allowing players to attack each other's properties, further blurs the lines between family game and Coin Looter. This mechanic, while seemingly lighthearted and competitive, fosters a sense of urgency and encourages players to seek revenge, driving them to spend real money to gain an advantage.

By allowing players to attack each other's properties, the game injects a dose of chaos and competition into the mix. This mechanic, while seemingly lighthearted, triggers a primal urge for revenge, driving players to seek an edge. Here's where the seemingly simplistic design reveals its brilliance. When a player gets attacked and loses hard-earned resources, the game strategically places a Call to Action (CTA) right in their path. This CTA might offer additional dice rolls, allowing them to quickly recoup their losses and launch a counter-attack, or it might entice them to purchase in-game currency to upgrade their properties and become more resilient against future attacks. These strategically placed CTAs capitalize on the emotions of the moment, subtly nudging players towards spending real money to fuel their virtual real estate empires.

Limited Time events to induce FOMO

Furthermore, the game masterfully utilizes a "fear of missing out" (FOMO) tactic to further enhance player engagement. Limited-time events and special offers create a sense of urgency, encouraging players to log in and participate before the opportunity disappears. This strategy keeps players on their toes, constantly checking back to see what new challenges and rewards await them. The combination of social interaction, competitive gameplay, and strategically placed CTAs transforms Monopoly GO!'s seemingly simple design into a powerful tool for engagement and, ultimately, monetization.

You're prompted to buy more dice rolls if you lose

These CTAs appear at opportune moments, taking advantage of a player's emotional state to nudge them towards spending real money. Imagine this: you're on the cusp of victory, just one property purchase away from securing a monopoly and dominating the board. However, your dice roll lands you on an empty space, leaving you one agonizing property short of your goal. Frustration washes over you, and just as you contemplate conceding defeat, a strategically placed CTA appears on your screen, offering you the option to purchase additional dice rolls. This CTA capitalizes on your desire to win, subtly influencing your decision-making process and making the prospect of spending real money seem like a small price to pay for ultimate victory.

Another article, not as good, but has this great picture

https://www.pocketg*mer.biz/decoding-the-live-ops-strategy-of-monopoly-go/

>The player rolls the dice

>The player receives

>The player rolls the dice

>The player receives

>The player rolls the dice

>The player receives