You do have a very good point. I think many places folks indicate that losses typically are about 10% or so on average... i.e. you get back roughly 90%, etc. If ad revenue could be re-added somehow and it produced at least 12-15% that could be used to offset the loss, that'd be swell.
I still think the original idea to use other outside app partnerships to drive people in would be interesting. The on my way app that I mentioned originally pays you like 5 cents per mile if you drive. In return it blocks texts, and system sounds, etc. to make you less of a distracted driver. 5 cents isn't much, especially when the IRS allows you to do itemizations on mileage at a rate of 20 cents, etc., but it's something... and it adds up over time, especially if you commute daily.
The freebie 10 dollars they throw on when you sign up also is a nice little incentive. imagine something passive like that being able to be used to buy peds from inside of that app.
Imagine teaming up with other apps, etc. For instance I think there's some apps out there that let you do things like pay in to a wager system type of thing with a lot of other people to meet health goals over a month or whatever. Those that fail to meet the goals lose what they wagered. Those that meet their goals get that cash the others lost. Imagine something like that being able to be used to buy ped for Entropia Universe from inside of the app instead of having to rely on bank transfers at a huge loss to third parties, etc.
Lots of potential. Compets did fail, but it doesn't have to be the end of some sort of app integration or partnership?... Deep Token did fail, but it doesn't have to be the end of trying to figure out a new way to move funds in and out of the game for all ways except bank transfers, etc.