Study: Half of In-App Purchases Come From Only 0.15% of Players

An anonymous reader writes "Have you ever seen a goofy microtransaction for a mobile game you play and wondered, 'Does anyone actually buy that junk?' As it turns out, few players actually do. A new study found that only 1.5% of players actually spend money on in-app purchases. Of those who do, more than 50% of the money is spent by the top 10%. 'Some game companies talk openly about the fact that they have whales, but others shy away from discussing them publicly. It costs money to develop and keep a game running, just like those fancy decorations and free drinks at a casino; whales, like gambling addicts, subsidize fun for everyone else.' Eric Johnson at Re/code says he talked to a game company who actually assigned an employee to one particular player who dropped $10,000 every month on in-app purchases." Meanwhile, in-app purchases have come to the attention of the European Commission, and they'll be discussing a set of standards for consumer rights at upcoming meetings. They say, 'Games advertised as "free" should not mislead consumers about the true costs involved.'

Comments

$10,000?!?

[ackthpt]

Here I am, trying to sell the Golden Gate Bridge on the street and I could be selling it in a game.

I've got to get caught up on synergies of new technology, to coordinate my vision of business core-competencies with the emerging paradigm.

Re:$10,000?!?

[Anonymous Coward]

2.) To be rewarded in life, you have to have a spouse and join the ranks of the mindless breeders.

It's programmed to go off before you do.

A beluga good time

[Impy the Impiuos Imp]

"It costs money to develop and keep a game running, just like those fancy decorations and free drinks at a casino; whales, like gambling addicts, subsidize fun for everyone else.'"

Except video game players are more accurately described, than even casino players, as whales.

Re:The worst kind of human beings

[ackthpt]

A person who spend 10,000$ a month on a game has a problem and someone who's trying to exploit someone's problem in order to become rich is nothing but a thief. The man behind that company should be put behind bars.

The problem they have is they have too much money and have yet to find e very, very good friend like me, to like, help them find fun and exciting ways to spend it.

Re:I'm not suprised.

[sandytaru]

This is why I had 26 Facebook accounts when I was actively playing Farmville.