The business model of mobile and PC gaming has shifted dramatically over the past decade.

Developers must walk a fine line between profitability and maintaining a fair competitive environment.

The Premium Track

One of the most universally accepted forms of monetization today is the seasonal battle pass.

• Players get unique skins and emotes.
• It encourages daily logins and quest completion.
• It feels fair to the majority of users.

Pay-to-Win vs. Pay-to-Progress

However, at the absolute top of the ladder, having max-level units is a strict requirement to compete.

Fortunately, matchmaking systems generally pit players of equal card levels against one another.

The Future of Monetization

The balance of power between player satisfaction and corporate profit will dictate the genre's future.

As long as the core gameplay remains engaging and fair at the esports level, the genre will thrive.