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

A new joint report from Comscore and Anzu reveals fascinating 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.

The Rise of Freemium Gaming and In-App Purchases

A striking finding is that a significant majority (82%) of US gamers made in-game purchases in freemium titles last year. This business model, blending free access with optional paid features, has proven incredibly successful. Freemium games, like Genshin Impact and League of Legends, offer players a free core experience while providing opportunities to purchase extra content, such as virtual items or boosts.

The freemium model's popularity, especially in mobile gaming, is undeniable. Maplestory, launched in North America in 2005, is often cited as a pioneer of this approach. Its success paved the way for widespread adoption of in-game purchases by developers and platforms like Google, Apple, and Microsoft.

Research from Corvinus University suggests the freemium model's appeal stems from factors such as utility, self-expression, social interaction, and competitive gameplay. These elements encourage players to spend money to enhance their experience, access new content, or avoid ads.

Comscore's Chief Commercial Officer, Steve Bagdasarian, emphasizes the report's significance, highlighting gaming's cultural impact and the value of understanding gamer behavior for brands. The increasing costs of game development are also a factor, as noted by Tekken's Katsuhiro Harada, who explained that in-game purchases for Tekken 8 contribute directly to the game's development budget.