PCGamingWiki:Editing guide/Monetization

This is an area being overhauled from April 30, 2020 as part of the Taxonomy project.

Monetization table

• Add this table below the {{Availability}} table. The DLC table will sit below this.
• Data should correspond with what is entered into the Taxonomy section of the {{Infobox game}}.
• Definitions are at the bottom of this page.

Syntax

==Monetization==
{{Monetization
|ad-supported                = 
|cross-game bonus            = 
|dlc                         = 
|expansion pack              = 
|freeware                    = 
|free-to-play                = 
|one-time game purchase      = 
|subscription                = 
|subscription gaming service = 
}}

Examples

• See Apex Legends and Destiny 2 for examples.

Notes

• Each statement should be referenced.
• Each sentence should be as concise as possible, no more than one or two sentences per point.
• Add |collapsed=yes at the end (before }} ) to have the table collapsed by default.

Definitions

Battle/season passes are not handled through a separate definition but is instead covered by the individual content it is made up of.

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.	Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six Extraction Need for Speed: Most Wanted
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.		Fortnite is a free game supported through microtransactions. Apex Legends is a free game supported through microtransactions.
Freeware	Games that are completely free to own in their entirety.		Cave Story Hive Time
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.	Hollow Knight Crysis
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).	South of the Circle is only accessible on macOS as part of the Apple Arcade subscription plan. Forza Horizon 5 can be accessed and played as part of the PC Game Pass subscription plan.

References

Editing guide

Availability

Microtransactions