Freemium Games Prove Successful As 82% of Gamers Made In-Game Purchases

A new joint report from Comscore and Anzu reveals key insights into US gamers' habits, preferences, and spending trends. The study, titled "Comscore's 2024 State of Gaming Report," examines gaming behavior across various platforms and genres.

High In-Game Purchase Rates in Freemium Games

The report's key finding: a remarkable 82% of US gamers made in-app purchases in freemium games last year. Freemium games, a blend of "free" and "premium," offer core gameplay for free, with optional purchases for enhanced features, items, and benefits. Popular examples include Genshin Impact and League of Legends.

This freemium model has proven highly successful, especially in mobile gaming. Maplestory, launched in North America in 2005, is often cited as a pioneer of this model, introducing the concept of real-money purchases for virtual items.

The enduring popularity of freemium games is attributed to several factors, including utility, self-indulgence, social interaction, and competitive elements. These aspects encourage players to purchase in-game items to enhance their experience or avoid ads.

Comscore's Chief Commercial Officer, Steve Bagdasarian, emphasized the report's significance, highlighting the cultural impact of gaming and the importance of understanding gamer behavior for brands. The report also touches on the rising costs of game development and how in-game transactions, as seen in Tekken 8's monetization strategy, are increasingly contributing to development budgets. Katsuhiro Harada's comments on this topic further underscore the financial realities of modern game development.