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Template:Infobox game/row/taxonomy/monetization

From PCGamingWiki, the wiki about fixing PC games
Documentation for the above template (sometimes hidden from view).
Please refer to the Editing guide - Monetization.
Category Definition Notes Examples
Ad-supported Monetized through advertisements which do not form natural part of the game, e.g. watching a video before playing, on-screen launcher ads, ads in the in-game menu system, etc.
  • Does not include games that advertise their own microtransactions.
  • NBA 2K20 video advertisements before playing a match.
Cross-game bonus Games that encourage buying other games, which'd unlock bonus items like (but not limited to) items, cosmetics, extra currency, unique dialogues, or other features, be they exclusive or not.
  • Old Save Bonus - TV Tropes
  • Multiplatform games with known cross-game bonuses on consoles, may not always support it on PC as well.
DLC For the purposes of PCGamingWiki's taxonomy, 'DLC' specifically refers to medium size chunks of additional game content such as maps, levels, quests, new gameplay mechanics etc. that is normally created in addition to the game, paid for and downloaded, but less substantial than an 'expansion pack'.
  • This category could be called 'Extra gameplay', but DLC is a much more familiar term to most gamers.
  • Soundtracks do not constitute additional in-game content and should not be covered as part of this category.
  • Mass Effect 2's 'Lair of the Shadow Broker' is a purchaseable story mission with voice acting and new gameplay mechanics.
  • NieR: Automata's '3C3C1D119440927' includes three new battle arenas, three new outfits, as well as a new short side-storyline.
Expansion pack Game content which can extend the percentage of playtime substantially. Including and not limited to: large story campaigns, a large number of new maps or levels, expanded gameplay, etc.
  • As a rule of thumb PCGamingWiki considers individual DLCs or bundles of DLCs in packs that extend the playtime of the main game 'substantially' or by 40% or more as appropriate for this category.
  • In pre-digital distribution age, expansion packs were separate boxed products that may or may not require the original game to install and run.
  • XCOM: Enemy Unknown's expansion is XCOM: Enemy Within, which substantially adds new content and gameplay mechanics.
  • Borderlands 3's multiple DLCs contain substantial new campaigns which are each individually large enough to constitute an expansion pack
Free-to-play Free-to-play or F2P games give players access to a significant portion of their content without paying. They might include an optional subscription, or are supported by expansion packs, DLCs, microtransactions, or advertisements.
Freeware Games that are completely free to own in their entirety.
One-time game purchase Games which requires an upfront purchase to access.
  • This is the base monetization used for most games and is in modern times often combined with additional monetization.
  • This is in contrast with Freeware and Free-to-play where the game can be accessed without a purchase.
Sponsored Sponsored content is a type of in-game advertising that forms part of the natural game experience.
  • In-game content that game developers have licensed for use from a third-party company (e.g. music, cars, etc) is not necessarily the same as that content having been "sponsored" by the third-party company. There is a fine line separating licensed content from sponsored content, and whether content is one or the other may not be obvious from the perspective of an outsider.
  • Final Fantasy XV has a quest called The Perfect Cup which features Nissin Cup Noodles which is sponsored content that is part of the 'natural' game world.[1]
  • PC Building Simulator features real world products from companies such as Intel and AMD that are used in-game.
Subscription Game may require continuous subscription payment from a player, or a subscription offers premium features.
  • This is distinct from subscription services which allow access to multiple games, for example EA Play.
  • World of Warcraft requires a subscription in order to play the game beyond level 20.
  • Fallout 76's subscription Fallout 1st is not required to play the full game, but offers premium features like private servers, unlocks, currency, cosmetics, etc.
Subscription gaming service Game is included in a collection of games accessible as part of a monthly video game subscription service such as EA Play or Xbox Game Pass.
  • This is distinct from regular game specific subscription services which may require payment from a player to continue to play the game (e.g. MMOs), or offer premium features to the player.
  • If the subscriber cancels their subscription plan, access to the included games are revoked unless they have been bought separately.
  • So called "monthly bundles" subscriptions that grants the subscriber permanent access to games are not included here (e.g. Amazon Prime Gaming, Humble Choice, etc).