Everything you need to know about gems on Arkadium

Arkadium's library of over one hundred games, including crossword puzzles, card games, mahjong, and more, is now even more fun. NEW to Arkadium: you can now use gems to accelerate and customize your gameplay. How will gems make your favorite games more fun? Let's find out.

Get right to the fun by using gems to skip the video ads that play before your game starts. Look for the "Skip this ad" button on the game's loading screen and click to skip. The gems will be automatically deducted from your balance. If you'd like to remove ads altogether, subscribe to Arkadium Advantage. Subscribers not only enjoy ad-free gameplay, but they also automatically save 15% on every gem purchase.

Gems are a one-time purchase with no commitments or recurring charges.

You can browse the Arkadium shop before you buy.

Here’s how to do that:

Sign in to your Arkadium profile At the top of the Arkadium website, click the Shop icon If you're already signed in, you can visit the shop here.

In addition, Arkadium Advantage subscribers receive an automatic 15% discount on every gem purchase. If you try to use gems and don't have enough, you'll be seamlessly directed to the shop.

If you're not ready to try gems to skip ads, you can still enjoy your favorite games with an ad-supported experience. Watch this space as gems are coming to some of your favorite games very soon – you’ll be able to redeem gems for boosts to accelerate and customize your gameplay.

Stay tuned

Have you ever wanted to learn more about the different types of one-time purchase options available in your favorite video games online? Check out this helpful guide:

The world of online games has undergone a revolution in recent years. Whether it's a mobile game app, a browser-based game, or one you play on a video gaming console— the quality, interactivity, and engagement of virtual gaming is at an all-time high.

Today we’ll discuss everything you need to know about in-game purchases, also known as microtransactions, and how they work. But first, let’s cover the basics— starting with the definition of microtransaction.

Microtransactions (or MTX for short) are low-cost purchases a player can make within an online game in exchange for special features, upgrades, powers, shortcuts, resources, or digital currency.

Game developers have a couple of different options regarding how they can implement microtransactions. Thus, how a player completes a microtransaction will vary depending on the method the game developer chooses.

Here are the most common ways microtransactions are implemented in video games online:

Using this model, players are charged a single, one-time fee for a specific game-based reward (virtual currency, progress boosters, customization options, etc.). This payment is completed via a micropayment processor like PayPal, Google Pay, etc.

This approach to MTX in games requires the player to authorize and complete an initial payment for a specific, predetermined amount. The funds are then converted into virtual currency (tokens, diamonds, lives, etc.). The player is able to make in-game purchases until their reserve of virtual currency runs out, in which case they will need to make another payment.

Post-pay microtransactions are, essentially, exactly what they sound like— payments made after the fact. In this model, players authorize a mobile app or online game to process payments from a credit card, digital wallet, etc. The player is then able to access upgrades, rewards, etc whenever they like, while only being billed at the end of the month or after the specified timeframe.

Loot boxes are one of the most popular forms of microtransactions in games. These virtual treasure chests provide a player with resources they’ll need to move forward in the game. In the vast majority of games, players aren’t able to see what a loot box contains until after they’ve completed a microtransaction. Rare, high-value items will be mixed in with more common (and less valuable) ones, so there’s an element of surprise.

Milestone unlocks allow a player to pay a small fee in exchange for advancing to the next level, bypassing the need to complete the challenge or objective.

In addition to the benefit of advancing to the next level, players may also unlock other milestone-based rewards by paying to progress within the game (many games offer built-in rewards at specific levels), which is another motivator to purchase.

There are certain games where players hold status in high regard. Think about World of Warcraft, where players often spend hundreds of hours developing and “leveling up” their character— they would be more likely to care about status badges since they reflect the amount of effort they’ve put into the game.

Any game involving a significant amount of strategy is best suited for status badge microtransactions. The more a player has to work to excel at a game, the more invested they are in succeeding (and thus the more likely they’ll want to share their achievements in the form of a badge).

In fact, studies show 87% of ‘badge earners’ say they are more engaged as a result of their digital reward— showing that not only do players take pride in obtaining one but that it actually increases the likelihood of them continuing to play the game.

Loyal players of a specific game want to experience everything the game has to offer, so making specific modes available via purchase only entices them to see what else the game is capable of.

This could mean accessing a turbo mode in a racing game, or a new challenge type in a word game. Anything that changes how the configuration of how a game is played is considered a “mode” and therefore can be made exclusive for paying players.

When endeavoring to define microtransactions as they relate to video games, in-game currency is an important and pertinent aspect to consider. In-game currency refers to any virtual form of money that is only valid within a particular video game. These currencies are used to purchase materials, mystery boxes, and other items.

When a video game only allows a player to access a specific “world”, “quest”, “land”, or character if they pay for it, this is considered “locked content”. One of the benefits of unlockable content is expanding the player experience, keeping them engaged for a longer period of time, and providing the excitement of discovering a whole new domain within the game.

Players enjoy differentiating themselves from other players and expressing their personality through their player profile. This is particularly true in role-playing and multiplayer online battle arena games, where players choose a specific character and use it for a prolonged period of time. Customization allows players to change the appearance, skillset, and even the “personality” of their character.

While customization is most commonly associated with role-playing games, it isn’t limited to this genre. Racing games, for instance, often allow players to customize the vehicles they choose, and chess games often allow players to choose the appearance of the board and chess pieces they use.

And there you have it— we’ve answered the question “What is MTX gaming?” Now there’s just one thing left to do: start playing.

Arkadium has a large collection of web-based, free games for you to choose from. Here are a few of our top recommendations:

HURDLE

This five-letter word guessing game requires players to complete a series of word puzzles in a row. If you get one wrong (or don’t make it over the “hurdle”) you have to start back at the beginning and try again. Can you make it over the hurdles and emerge victorious? Play Hurdle online for free!

JEWEL SHUFFLE

This game is all matching jewels and getting showered with riches! The goal is to clear your board and accumulate as many points as possible. To do this, you’ll need to swap adjacent gems to create lines of three or more. When three of the same gems align in a row, they’ll disappear and you’ll collect points. Play Jewel Shuffle online for free!

BALLISTIC

Ballistic is our modern take on an entertaining ball-shooter classic. The goal? Clear as many blocks as you can! Ready to get started? Play Ballistic online for free!