Mobile gaming tournament platform Skillz has launched in beta, offering an alternative method of monetising apps beyond advertising, in-app purchases or paid-for apps.
The Skillz SDK enables developers to host both multiplayer tournaments inside their apps, with both free and paid options available. The latter enables players to compete for cash prizes, by paying an entry free of $0.25 upwards.
“While mobile gaming continues to boom, game developers need innovative, yet complementary ways to monetize their content. 80 per cent of mobile games revenue went to the top twenty development studios last year,” said Andrew Paradise, CEO and founder of Skillz. “Tournaments take mobile gaming to the next level by enhancing gameplay, making it more social and fun as players compete against each other. For developers, competitions translate into longer sessions, better user retention and increased revenue.” 
The beta is initially being rolled out to Android in the US, and is launching with ten game studios, including Gnarly Games, Spooky House Studios, and Rocketmind.
