GMonks Games unlocks new features and customers with Amazon Appstore

GMonks was looking to expand to Windows in order to reach new PC game customers. Their priority in reaching this goal involved launching a Windows version of their app with in-game tutorials to show Windows 11 customers how to play with a keyboard and mouse. However, building for Windows could take months to develop, and creating in-game tutorials from scratch would take weeks. Plus, there were the additional costs of UX design, development, and testing required to publish and launch the app.

To expand their reach, GMonks had to effectively maximize the return on their investments by reducing the time, effort, and development costs required to create the Windows game with in-game tutorials.

GMonks turned to Amazon Appstore for Windows 11 and the Windows Subsystem for Android™️ (WSA) to fulfill their cross-device aspirations. “We never launched a game on PC before, but we recognized the importance of expanding to Windows 11 due to its wide usage and access to a large user base of PC gamers,” said Neeraj Kumar, co-founder and Chief Technology Officer of GMonks Entertainment. He emphasized how seamless the process was as his team relied on Amazon Appstore’s developer documentation as their primary resource for building and testing the game on Windows 11 prior to publishing. “The documentation provided clear guidance, allowing us to build and deploy our first game within a few hours,” Kumar mentioned. “The learning curve for deploying the app on WSA was straightforward.”

Through this experience, GMonks highlighted the top five offerings from Amazon Appstore that up-leveled their growth opportunities and propelled their mobile Android games to launch on new devices:

1. Easy porting process: GMonks found that the porting process to the Amazon Appstore was simple and efficient through developer tools such as the A3L SDKs and the IAP app tester. Within a couple of days, they successfully brought their games to Windows 11, opening doors to new PC game customers. Without the tools provided by the Amazon Appstore and Microsoft’s WSA technology, this effort could have taken months to develop.
   
2. Enhanced input controls: GMonks recognized PC gamers' preferences and incorporated separate keyboard and mouse controls into their games for the Amazon Appstore. This customization allows players to enjoy games using the input controls that are native to Windows 11 devices, providing a tailored experience for desktop gameplay.
3. Utilizing the Input SDK: GMonks utilized the Amazon Input SDK to build and deploy a quick and efficient display of input control in less than an hour. By offering intuitive input instructions, they ensured that players could seamlessly navigate the game and enjoy the gaming experience.
4. Optimized performance: GMonks was able to focus on the game mechanics for Fire tablets and relied on Amazon Appstore and WSA to provide a smooth and native gaming experience on Windows 11.
   
5. Monetization opportunities: GMonks integrated Amazon In-App Purchases (IAP) into their games for Windows 11. By offering optional digital goods and in-game currency strategically throughout their games, they offered an enhanced gaming experience while striking a balance between game enjoyment and sustainable monetization.

Beyond key offerings, GMonks mentioned the five benefits from publishing on Amazon Appstore for Windows 11:

1. Expanded reach: By launching their Android app on the Amazon Appstore for Windows 11, GMonks can now reach hundreds of millions of users who prefer gaming on their Windows 11 devices. This expanded reach has led to an increase in downloads, visibility, and brand recognition for GMonks.
2. Cross-device compatibility: A key advantage of using the Amazon Appstore for Windows 11 lies in the cross-device compatibility it offers. GMonks’s app seamlessly connected players across devices, allowing users to enjoy their game on both Android mobile devices and Windows 11 PCs. This compatibility has not only boosted player engagement but also reduced the development efforts by having one code base supporting multiple types of devices.
3. Enhanced revenue streams: With Amazon Appstore, GMonks can choose from a wide selection of monetization options, including Amazon In-App Purchases (IAP) and Amazon Publisher Services (APS). These tools efficiently monetized their game and increased game usage. The expanded user base on Windows 11, coupled with the integration of in-app purchases, has boosted revenue, enabling them to invest further in game development and marketing efforts.
4. Improved user experience: Amazon Appstore for Windows 11 has given GMonks the chance to optimize their game for PC gaming, resulting in an improved user experience. By leveraging Windows 11's optimized performance and support for multiple input controls, GMonks is offering players an immersive desktop gaming experience. This enhanced user experience has delighted existing players and also attracted new players, leading to positive reviews and word-of-mouth referrals.
5. Visibility and promotion: Launching their Android app on the Amazon Appstore has increased app visibility and promotional opportunities. The Amazon Appstore's dedicated game section and tailored promotional campaigns have helped GMonks stand out from the competition, gaining exposure to a wider audience.