Getting Paid for Players You Already Have: Almedia

The mobile game industry is currently exploring new monetization and retention strategies through Almedia’s LINK, a platform that incentivizes players to remain active by offering rewards funded entirely by the service provider. The primary thesis is that by integrating a rewards-based layer into existing game titles, publishers can generate incremental revenue from their current user base without increasing user acquisition costs or introducing intrusive ad formats. The model functions by paying developers a cost-per-acquisition (CPA) for every player who links their account to the rewards platform, regardless of whether the user is new or existing.

Key performance data from early adopters, such as the publisher Ovivo, indicates significant potential for this model. Across 24 titles, the integration achieved a 15% install-to-link conversion rate, resulting in 66,000 links between October and December 2025. Furthermore, linked users demonstrated a 28% increase in day-21 retention and a 5% increase in day-30 ad revenue compared to non-linked users. Financial projections suggest that a game with 100,000 monthly installs could generate between $45,000 and $75,000 in additional monthly revenue through this channel.

The implementation process is designed for flexibility, allowing developers to integrate the service via a lightweight SDK or through a simpler, non-SDK method involving basic API calls and deeplinks. While the platform is currently active in 16 markets, including major Tier 1 and select Tier 2 regions, developers are advised to utilize A/B testing and holdout groups to verify the actual lift in lifetime value and ensure the rewards mechanism does not cannibalize existing in-app purchase revenue. By focusing on long-term engagement rather than one-off incentives, the model aims to create a sustainable economic flywheel for both the publisher and the rewards platform.