7 Monetization Layers

Players don’t pay for hooks. They pay for desire.

A guide on how to design moments that make players say, “I need this!”

Here are 7 monetization layers, and the triggers that turn hesitation into purchase:

𝟭. 𝗖𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝗹𝗼𝗼𝗽 🔄
𝗠𝗼𝗻𝗲𝘁𝗶𝘇𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 💸
• Energy refill packs
• Retry tickets after fail
• Session-time boosters
• Limited durability repairs
𝗧𝗿𝗶𝗴𝗴𝗲𝗿𝘀 🎯
• Keep streak alive
• Avoid frustration spike
• Preserve momentum
• “Just one more run”

𝟮. 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗴𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻 🚀
𝗠𝗼𝗻𝗲𝘁𝗶𝘇𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 💸
• Battle-pass tiers
• XP doublers & skips
• Unlock-tree bundles
• Instant level jumps
𝗧𝗿𝗶𝗴𝗴𝗲𝗿𝘀 🎯
• Fast-track mastery
• Visible power leap
• Beat friends sooner
• Sense of steady growth

𝟯. 𝗘𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗼𝗺𝘆 & 𝘀𝗰𝗮𝗿𝗰𝗶𝘁𝘆 💰
𝗠𝗼𝗻𝗲𝘁𝗶𝘇𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 💸
• Hard-currency packages
• Resource-crate tiers
• Time-skip speed-ups
• Daily flash deals
𝗧𝗿𝗶𝗴𝗴𝗲𝗿𝘀 🎯
• Shortage pain relief
• Loss-aversion nudge
• Immediate gratification
• Value-vs-grind contrast

𝟰. 𝗖𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗺𝗶𝘇𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 & 𝘀𝘁𝗮𝘁𝘂𝘀 🎨
𝗠𝗼𝗻𝗲𝘁𝗶𝘇𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 💸
• Limited-skin sets
• Avatar animations
• Base-decoration packs
• Exclusive profile frames
𝗧𝗿𝗶𝗴𝗴𝗲𝗿𝘀 🎯
• Self-expression pride
• Show-off uniqueness
• Social-status climb
• Collection-completion itch

𝟱. 𝗦𝗼𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗹 & 𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀 🤝
𝗠𝗼𝗻𝗲𝘁𝗶𝘇𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 💸
• Event-entry tickets
• Guild-boost packs
• Leaderboard multipliers
• Limited collab bundles
𝗧𝗿𝗶𝗴𝗴𝗲𝗿𝘀 🎯
• FOMO urgency
• Team-pride bond
• Competitive edge
• Shared-celebration hype

𝟲. 𝗦𝗵𝗼𝗽 & 𝗼𝗳𝗳𝗲𝗿𝘀 🛒
𝗠𝗼𝗻𝗲𝘁𝗶𝘇𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 💸
• Dynamic-price bundles
• Time-boxed 90 % off
• Tiered price ladder
• Personalized picks
𝗧𝗿𝗶𝗴𝗴𝗲𝗿𝘀 🎯
• Anchored high value
• “Grab it now” timer
• Foot-in-door effect
• Fear of price rebound

𝟳. 𝗢𝗻𝗯𝗼𝗮𝗿𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 🎁
𝗠𝗼𝗻𝗲𝘁𝗶𝘇𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 💸
• One-time starter kit
• First-purchase gems
• Early ad-free sub
• Welcome-reward streak
𝗧𝗿𝗶𝗴𝗴𝗲𝗿𝘀 🎯
• Unbeatable deal shock
• Head-start feeling
• Low-risk commitment
• Habit-formation push

Build for desire, not pressure.