GamesAnalytics launches free-to-play assessment service Benchmark

Datamining and monetization firm GamesAnalytics has launched a new free-to-play assessment service, with which it claims to be able to help studios improve their game monetization and user retention. Benchmark aims to help game design studios identify any game problems that may have an adverse impact on in-game revenue generation, providing a full review of each title across 75 key categories. The review covers angles such as engagement, retention and monetization, and scores the subject against the best free-to-play games available, as well as the average scores for each separate game genre. GamesAnalytics says that by comparing up-and-coming free-to-play practice with established best practice, it is able to remove some of the risk from the investment and make sure each title is optimised to provide the best possible revenue intake before launch. Benchmark accepts games that are in the alpha and beta stages of development, and provides a roadmap of recommendations for where design improvements are needed. GamesAnalytics CEO Chris Wright notes that it is far easier to get a game's monetization correct before launch, rather than attempting to mess around with it after the game is available to the public. More details can be found at the GamesAnalytics website.