Proving it's not only indies who are investigating novel monetisation options, Gameloft has hooked up with various networks to release a free Android version of its massively popular UNO card game.

Previously available priced $2.99 on Android, UNO for FREE is the full version of the game, including Quick Play, Tournament, and Multiplayer modes via online or local connections.

It also supports the Gameloft Live social platform.

Sticky eyeballs

The in-app advertising option uses services from Yamoja through banner ads, which link out to real world offers. Other options include removing the in-game ads for a week by downloading various promoted apps.

For example, in the UK, we were incentivised to download the Treat Street Dash advergame from health and beauty retailer Boots, or the Hail Taxi app if we wanted to remove the banner ads for a week.

Spread the love

"As one of Gameloft's primary goals is to be able to extend the full UNO experience to as many people as possible, the new version touts an innovative mobile advertising component that allows us to offer the game to our fans at no cost," the publisher commented about the move.

"And given the popularity of free games on the Android marketplace, Gameloft believes that this is a perfect platform for us to try out the new business model."

Of course, the $2.99 version is also still available on Android for those prepared to pay for their entertainment.