Method of monetization, what to choose?

Question

Android

At the moment, a fan application is being developed, one game at a time. Calculator app.
I asked the developers of the game if they were allowed to use images and other things from the game, provided that I did not make money on the application.
The question is: How to recoup the development and earn money for further development? Maybe someone has already encountered.
What happens if I don't put the app on Google Play, but it contains ads? There are ways to spread, but will they be able to punish them somehow or even worse?

Answer 1

So litter your reputation, for not so much money ... somewhere you have a miscalculation in the strategy.
Reputation is serious, it seems that the world is big, but in fact a tiny village.
Gain an audience, gain experience, and make money from this experience, or offer a percentage to the copyright holder.

Answer 2

I asked the developers of the game if they were allowed to use images and other things from the game, provided that I did not make money on the application.