name: LootLocker FinOps
description: >
  FinOps Framework 1.0 FOCUS-aligned cost and usage model for LootLocker
  game backend-as-a-service. The primary cost driver is Monthly Active Users
  (MAU), with the Trial plan capped at 1,000 MAU at no cost, and commercial
  plans on custom pricing with a published overage rate of $0.015 per
  additional MAU on the Publisher tier.
version: "1.0"
created: "2026-06-12"
modified: "2026-06-12"
url: https://lootlocker.com/pricing

provider:
  name: LootLocker
  website: https://lootlocker.com
  pricingPage: https://lootlocker.com/pricing
  billingContact: https://lootlocker.com/pricing

costModel:
  type: MAU-based with custom enterprise pricing
  description: >
    LootLocker pricing is primarily driven by Monthly Active Users (MAU). The
    free Trial tier allows up to 1,000 MAU at no cost. Non-commercial projects
    can apply for a free license regardless of MAU. Commercial tiers (Developer
    and Publisher) use negotiated custom pricing. The Publisher tier publishes
    an overage rate of $0.015 per MAU beyond the contracted volume.

metrics:
  - name: Monthly Active Users (MAU)
    description: >
      A player is counted as a Monthly Active User when they create or resume a
      session with the LootLocker Game API within a calendar month. This is the
      primary billable unit across all commercial tiers.
    unit: MAU
    granularity: monthly
    pricingImpact: primary

  - name: Player File Storage
    description: >
      Each player can store up to 50 files with a maximum of 5 MB per file.
      File storage is included in all plans; no per-GB storage overage is
      currently published.
    unit: files / MB
    granularity: per-player
    pricingImpact: indirect (included in plan)

costAllocation:
  dimensions:
    - name: Game / Project
      description: >
        LootLocker organizes resources by game project. Each game project is a
        separate billing entity within the account. Cost should be allocated per
        project to track backend spend per title.
    - name: Environment
      description: >
        Projects can operate across development, staging, and production
        environments. MAU counts apply to production environments; development
        sessions should be tracked separately to avoid inflating MAU counts.
    - name: Platform / SDK
      description: >
        Players may authenticate via multiple platforms (Steam, PSN, Xbox,
        Nintendo Switch, Apple, Google, Epic Games, etc.). Tracking MAU by
        authentication platform provides visibility into cross-platform reach
        and helps prioritize SDK investment.

optimization:
  recommendations:
    - name: Monitor MAU Growth on Trial Plan
      description: >
        Trial plan is hard-capped at 1,000 MAU/month. Proactive monitoring of
        MAU velocity prevents surprise outreach from LootLocker and allows time
        to negotiate a Developer plan before hitting the cap.
      effort: low
      impact: high

    - name: Apply for Non-Commercial License Early
      description: >
        Student projects, game jam entries, and hobby games should apply for the
        Non-Commercial License before public launch to avoid needing a paid plan
        for non-revenue-generating titles.
      effort: low
      impact: high

    - name: Batch Server API Calls
      description: >
        Server-side operations should batch player updates where possible to
        reduce total API call volume. Fewer requests reduce exposure to any
        future usage-based pricing changes and improve latency.
      effort: medium
      impact: medium

    - name: Track MAU by Authentication Platform
      description: >
        Breaking down MAU by authentication provider (Steam, PSN, Xbox, etc.)
        identifies which platforms drive the most active users and informs
        platform prioritization for marketing and SDK maintenance investment.
      effort: medium
      impact: medium

    - name: Negotiate Overage Rate Before Scale
      description: >
        On the Publisher tier, overage is priced at $0.015 per additional MAU.
        Teams projecting significant MAU growth should negotiate a higher
        contracted MAU volume before hitting overage to secure better unit
        economics.
      effort: high
      impact: high

budgeting:
  notes: >
    LootLocker does not publish a public price calculator for Developer and
    Publisher tiers. Budget planning requires direct engagement with the
    LootLocker sales team. The only published unit price is $0.015 per MAU
    overage on the Publisher tier. Teams should model 12-month MAU growth
    curves based on game launch projections and negotiate contracted volumes
    with 20-30% headroom to avoid overage charges.

focus:
  resourceType: Game Backend Service
  serviceName: LootLocker
  serviceCategory: Game Backend as a Service
  provider: LootLocker
  pricingUnit: MAU/month
  publishedOverageRate:
    value: 0.015
    currency: USD
    unit: MAU
    tier: Publisher