14 DAY TRIAL // Microsoft has made a mode designed to encourage the development of casual games. In this regard, Microsoft Casual Games has announced that it will spread around the revenue generated via in-game advertising from MSN Games. According to the Redmond Company, the game developers will receive a percentage of the MSN Games revenue.
"Casual game developers traditionally operate on a limited revenue model, typically receiving a set fee from downloadable titles or a small royalty associated with game subscriptions," said Chris Early, studio manager for Microsoft Casual Games at Microsoft. "Now, by sharing in-game advertising revenue, we're allowing a more diversified business model that gives our partners more resources to create new, innovative titles for the 13 million people we see every month on MSN Games."
Microsoft announced that as of today, all developers of Web-based titles that have found their way on MSN Games will share the revenue with Microsoft via the new Ad-Share Program. Any of the developers behind the five most popular MSN Games titles are estimated to receive a total of $250,000 on an annual basis. Not exactly spare change.
Microsoft has additionally informed that it will offer two levels of advertising revenue incentives. The first level gives developers 10% of the revenue generated by their game, but requires no additional work passed the original building process. The level two of revenue incentives offers 20% of what the title brings in but developers will have to add localization, Entertainment Software Rating Board ratings and a deluxe experience to the game.