RPG Idle Space: Monetization on Gameplay in Alien Invasion

In this week’s post, we’ll explore the factors contributing to the success of Alien Invasion: RPG Idle Space. Developed by Crazylabs, Alien Invasion is a role-playing game (RPG) that integrates idle mechanics, allowing players to concentrate primarily on their character’s advancement. Set in a hybrid-casual gaming environment, players nurture a small and initially sluggish alien creature into a formidable conqueror, primarily focused on consuming unsuspecting humans. Alien Invasion: RPG Idle Space is accessible on Google Play and the App Store, and more recently, it has become available on Steam as well.

Core Game Loop

The fundamental gameplay loop of this game is straightforward: Eating humans equals acquiring resources. The primary resource in question is Meat, obtained through the consumption of human flesh. Subsequently, these resources can be utilized to enhance the statistics of the alien character which is the meta layer of the game.

Game Economy

The game features a well-balanced economy, with the pursuit of Meat being the primary activity to engage players. Initially, the game progresses at a leisurely pace as the alien character is still developing. The objective is to empower the alien, ultimately accelerating the pace of gameplay.

Game Monetization

IAP

The game uses Gems in order to acquire Meat or Stones that also help upgrade the alien. Other than that, players can use Gems in the store in order to directly acquire specific Power Ups instead of just getting Meat.

Ad Monetization

The silver lining of this game is its Ad Monetization. Ad revenue from this game according to Sensor Tower is around 51% and the only resource for Ad Monetization is rewarded ads. These ads are set on intervals of 20s.

Conclusion

• Strive for progression- Alien Invasion uses a Mission system to keep players posted and always on alert. As a hybrid game that utilizes minimal RPG elements, the progression is at its core.
• Minimal Onboarding- This goes for most of the hybrid games that I am covering lately- there is minimalistic onboarding with almost no tutorial. The game is pretty self explanatory and there is no need to coerce players with long stages of tutorial.
• Pacing not Racing- Implementation of game’s features at the beginning of the game and building the tension up to the game’s bosses is an essential part of this game. Most hybrid games do not use this element and this is the main idea behind the game’s good retention rates- 47% Day 1, 4% Day 30.