Monetizing mobile games, especially in the horror genre, requires a well-thought-out strategy. Horror games often have a niche yet highly engaged audience, making ad monetization an essential revenue stream. Two of the most popular ad networks for mobile game developers are Google AdMob and Unity Ads. But which one is more profitable for monetizing mobile horror games? Let’s compare them based on various factors such as revenue potential, user experience, and ease of integration.
1. Revenue Potential
AdMob
AdMob, being a product of Google, has access to a vast network of advertisers. It offers different ad formats, including banner ads, interstitial ads, rewarded ads, and native ads. The revenue potential with AdMob depends on the game’s region, user engagement, and ad format used. Typically, AdMob provides a higher eCPM (Effective Cost Per Mille) for interstitial and rewarded ads in high-tier countries like the US, UK, and Canada.
Pros:
- High eCPM in premium markets
- Better fill rates worldwide
- Support for various ad formats
Cons:
- Lower performance for games with highly niche audiences
- Requires high engagement for optimal revenue
Unity Ads
Unity Ads is specifically designed for mobile games and offers seamless integration with Unity-based games. It primarily focuses on video ads, with rewarded video ads being its strongest revenue driver. If your horror game is engaging enough to make players watch rewarded ads, Unity Ads can generate higher ARPDAU (Average Revenue Per Daily Active User) compared to AdMob in some cases.
Pros:
- Higher revenue for video-heavy monetization
- Strong performance in gaming-specific audiences
- No need for external SDKs if using Unity Engine
Cons:
- Limited ad formats compared to AdMob
- Lower eCPMs in some regions
2. User Experience & Engagement
User experience is crucial in horror games since they rely on immersive storytelling and tension-building mechanics. Interruptive ads can break immersion, so it’s essential to choose the right ad type.
- AdMob’s interstitial ads may disrupt gameplay if not placed properly, leading to higher churn rates.
- Unity Ads’ rewarded video ads blend well with gaming experiences, encouraging players to watch ads voluntarily for in-game rewards, making it a better choice for engagement.
If your horror game is story-driven and requires seamless gameplay, Unity Ads’ rewarded ads might be more effective. However, if your game has natural breaks where interstitial ads can be placed without harming immersion, AdMob could still be viable.
3. Ease of Integration
- AdMob requires Google’s SDK, and while it is developer-friendly, it might need more optimization for Unity-based games.
- Unity Ads is built directly into the Unity Engine, making it easier to integrate if your game is developed using Unity.
For non-Unity developers, integrating AdMob might be simpler since it works across multiple platforms with more flexibility.
Conclusion: Which One is More Profitable?
The most profitable ad network depends on your game’s monetization strategy:
- If your game heavily relies on rewarded ads and is developed in Unity → Unity Ads is likely more profitable.
- If your game has a diverse audience and can handle interstitial & banner ads effectively → AdMob might yield better revenue.
Best Approach? Use Both!
Many developers use mediation to combine both AdMob and Unity Ads to maximize fill rates and revenue. Google AdMob Mediation allows developers to serve ads from multiple networks, including Unity Ads, ensuring better eCPM and a consistent revenue stream.
Ultimately, the best way to determine profitability is through A/B testing and analyzing user behavior. Experiment with different ad formats and placements to find the perfect balance between revenue generation and user experience in your mobile horror game.