Hey itch.io team and community! As an indie dev (or just a fan of the platform), I've been thinking about how itch could become even more sustainable for creators making free or low-cost games. Right now, monetization options are great — pay-what-you-want, bundles, and IAPs — but for truly free projects (like prototypes, jams, or passion projects), passive income is tough without going full Patreon or external ads. My idea: Official integration for non-intrusive ads. What it could look like: Built-in tools to embed simple ad networks (e.g., Unity Ads, Google AdMob, Adsense or even itch's own lightweight system) directly into games. Devs control everything: rewarded videos after levels, interstitials between sessions, or banners that don't block gameplay. No forced 30-sec views — keep it optional and skippable. Player-friendly features: Let users disable ads with a one-time donation (via itch's payment system) or for free after X plays. This respects the "pure experience" itch is known for. Win-win for everyone: Devs get passive revenue (itch takes a small cut, like 10% from sales?), more free games flood the platform, and itch grows its ecosystem. Analytics dashboard for devs to track earnings/views would be a cherry on top. Why now? With rising costs for tools/assets, many indies are leaving free releases behind. This could bring back that experimental spirit without compromising quality. (Inspired by chats on similar platforms like Newgrounds, where ad support keeps old games alive.