In-App Purchase Model for Casual Gaming

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In-App Purchase Model for Casual Gaming

Inspired by a conversation on:

The Betting Startups Podcast

The Betting Startups Podcast

Ep. 184: Fantasy football puzzles for the masses w/ Brian Birt from Griddy

Host: Jesse

Timestamp: 00:15:11 - 00:16:08

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Feather Flow

Direct Quote

"It's much more of a traditional mobile game approach than anything real money gaming."

Market Gap

Monetizing casual mobile games without real money components.

Many mobile games struggle to monetize effectively without introducing complex real money components that can alienate potential users. This complexity often involves high-friction onboarding processes that require users to share personal information and financial details, deterring casual players. Additionally, real money gaming can limit the target audience based on age, location, and financial capability, which restricts market growth. There is a growing demand for mobile games that provide engaging experiences while allowing for monetization through simpler mechanisms that do not compromise user accessibility or enjoyment.

Summary

Griddy's monetization strategy focuses on in-app purchases rather than real money components, making it accessible to a broader audience. By allowing users to buy draft tokens to continue playing beyond their daily free drafts, Griddy creates a sustainable revenue model while maintaining a casual gaming environment. This approach not only lowers the barriers to entry for new players but also ensures that existing users feel they have options for deeper engagement without the pressure of financial investment. As the mobile gaming industry continues to evolve, this model could serve as a blueprint for other developers looking to create enjoyable, monetizable games without the complications of real money gaming.

Categorization

Business Model
SaaS
Target Founder
Generalist
Difficulty
Medium
Time to Revenue
< 1 month
Initial Investment
< $100

Potential MRR (18-24 months)

Conservative
$3,000 - $7,000 MRR
Moderate (Most Likely)
$10,000 - $20,000 MRR
Optimistic
$25,000 - $40,000 MRR

* Estimates assume solo founder/bootstrap scenario with competent execution

Scores

Clarity
9/10
Novelty
8/10
Feasibility
9/10
Market Potential
9/10
Evidence
9/10
Overall
8.8/10
Found on October 14, 2025 • Analyzed on October 14, 2023 12:57 PM

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How should I validate this saas idea before building it?

2:34 PM

Great question! For a saas idea like this, I'd recommend starting with these validation steps:

  1. Customer interviews: Talk to Generalist to understand their pain points
  2. MVP approach: Build a simple landing page to test demand
  3. Competitor analysis: Research existing solutions and identify gaps

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Yes, and what about the technical implementation? Should I build this myself or hire a team?

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Technical Strategy:

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  • Consider your technical background and available < $100
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Bite-Sized Fantasy Sports Puzzle Game

Griddy is a fantasy football game designed to transform the traditional draft experience into a strategic puzzle that can be played year-round. By allowing users to engage with randomly generated player cards and build their teams based on chemistry rather than real-life stats, Griddy creates a unique, casual gaming experience. This model caters to not just hardcore fans, but also casual players who want to enjoy fantasy sports without the seasonal limitations. The game is structured for quick, bite-sized play, allowing users to engage during brief moments of free time, which is highly appealing in today's fast-paced lifestyle. Through community-driven growth and an innovative approach to gamification, Griddy has attracted a dedicated user base, demonstrating a new business model for fantasy sports.

Community-Driven Fantasy Sports Platform

Griddy utilizes a community-driven approach to foster user retention and growth, leveraging platforms like Reddit to build relationships with users. By positioning the brand around personal storytelling and founder-led narratives, Griddy creates a sense of connection that resonates with players. This not only encourages organic growth through word-of-mouth but also cultivates a loyal user base that is eager to share the game with friends. As the platform evolves, maintaining and enhancing community engagement will be vital for sustaining growth and expanding the user base further into the competitive mobile gaming landscape.