Can Pakistani Developers Earn from Games?
Yes — and many already do. Pakistani game developers publish on Google Play, Apple App Store, Steam, and itch.io every year. The game industry in Pakistan is growing fast, supported by the Pakistan Software Export Board (PSEB). Whether you want a full-time income or side earnings, this guide covers everything you need to start.
Monetization Methods — Detailed Guide
📊 Method 1: In-App Advertising (Ads) Free to implement
The most beginner-friendly monetization method. You integrate an ad SDK (AdMob, Unity Ads) and your game automatically shows ads to players. You earn money every time an ad is shown or clicked — no payment from players required.
Ad types ranked by income:
- Rewarded Video Ads — Player chooses to watch a 30-second video for an in-game reward (coins, extra lives, hints). Highest eCPM. Best user experience.
- Interstitial Ads — Full-screen ads shown between levels or at natural breaks. Medium income. Show maximum 1 per 2–3 minutes.
- Banner Ads — Small banner at top or bottom of screen. Always visible. Lowest eCPM but passive income.
- Native Ads — Ads that match the look of your game UI. Higher engagement than banners.
Best for
- Casual and hyper-casual games
- Games with many daily players
- Beginners starting out
- Free-to-play games
Watch out for
- Too many ads hurt ratings
- Pakistani players have low eCPM
- Need significant player base to earn well
🛒 Method 2: In-App Purchases (IAP) Google takes 15–30%
Players download your game free but pay for extra content. Types include: consumables (in-game coins, gems, energy), non-consumables (remove ads, unlock levels, premium characters), and subscriptions (monthly premium pass). Implemented via Google Play Billing Library or Unity IAP.
Best for
- RPG and strategy games
- Games with strong progression
- Character customization games
- Games with dedicated player base
Watch out for
- More complex to implement
- Requires player trust and engagement
- Google takes a 15–30% cut
🎮 Method 3: Premium (Paid) Game Players pay upfront
Players pay to download your game — usually $0.99 to $9.99. No ads, no IAP. Works much better on PC platforms (Steam, itch.io) than mobile, where players expect games to be free. On mobile, a "remove ads" IAP often earns more than charging upfront.
Best for
- PC games on Steam
- Story-driven games
- itch.io indie games
- Games with unique concepts
Watch out for
- Rarely works for new devs on mobile
- Requires marketing to sell
- No recurring income
🔄 Method 4: Subscriptions Recurring income
Players pay monthly or yearly for premium features — ad-free experience, exclusive content, early access to new levels, or a daily reward pass. Best for games that release regular new content. More complex to implement but provides stable recurring revenue.
Best for
- Games with regular content updates
- Competitive/live service games
- Games with daily active players
Watch out for
- Pakistani players less likely to subscribe
- High player expectations for value
- Complex to manage
Expected AdMob Earnings — Pakistan Context
eCPM (earnings per 1,000 ad impressions) varies by country. Players from Western countries earn you much more than local players. Here is a realistic breakdown:
| Player Country | Banner eCPM | Interstitial eCPM | Rewarded Video eCPM |
|---|---|---|---|
| 🇺🇸 USA | $0.50–$2.00 | $5–$15 | $10–$30 |
| 🇬🇧 UK | $0.40–$1.50 | $4–$12 | $8–$20 |
| 🇦🇪 UAE | $0.30–$1.20 | $3–$10 | $6–$18 |
| 🇸🇦 Saudi Arabia | $0.20–$0.80 | $2–$8 | $5–$15 |
| 🇵🇰 Pakistan | $0.05–$0.20 | $0.30–$1.00 | $0.50–$2.00 |
| 🇮🇳 India | $0.10–$0.30 | $0.50–$1.50 | $1.00–$3.00 |
How to Receive Payments in Pakistan
Receiving international payments from Google, Apple, Unity, and Steam requires setting up the right payment accounts. Here are the most reliable methods for Pakistani developers:
Payoneer
Most popular for Pakistani freelancers. Accepted by Google AdSense, Google Play, and most game platforms. Free to create. Withdraw to any Pakistani bank.
Wise (TransferWise)
Real exchange rates, low fees. Get a virtual US/UK bank account number. Good for receiving from Steam and itch.io.
Direct Bank Transfer
Some platforms support Pakistani bank accounts directly. Requires SWIFT/IBAN. Check with your bank for international wire transfer support.
JazzCash / EasyPaisa
Not directly supported by Google. But you can receive via Payoneer and transfer to JazzCash wallet. Convenient for local spending.
Publishing on Google Play — Step by Step
- Create a Google Play Developer account at play.google.com/console ($25 one-time registration fee)
- Set up a Payoneer account and link it to your Google payments profile
- Build your APK or AAB (Android App Bundle) from Unity via File → Build Settings
- Create a new app in Play Console — fill in store listing (title, description, screenshots)
- Upload your AAB to the Internal Testing track first
- Complete the app content rating questionnaire
- Submit for review — Google usually approves in 1–3 days for new apps
- After approval, promote to Production to make it public
- Enable AdMob in your Google Play Console under Monetize section
Publishing on Steam (PC Games)
- Create a Steamworks developer account — $100 one-time fee per game (refunded after $1,000 in sales)
- Build your game for Windows (and optionally Mac/Linux) from your game engine
- Set up a company or individual profile in Steamworks
- Use Wise or a US bank account (via Payoneer) to receive Steam payments
- Create your Steam store page with description, screenshots, and trailer
- Submit for review — Steam reviews take about 5 business days
- Steam takes 30% of all sales (reduces to 25% after $10M, 20% after $50M)