Report Says Freemium Gamers Are Actually Big Spenders

Based on the findings of a new report titled Insights into the Freemium Games Market, the latest report from market research company, The NPD Group, freemium gamers aren’t unwilling to plunk down some cold, hard cash when the mood strikes them.

4 out of 10 of those who have played an upgradable freemium game report making an in-game payment to extend or enhance a game, the NPD Group says this week.

Freemium games are digital games that are free of charge to play, though some may offer upgrades such as advanced features, functionality or new content that you have to pay for.

Among freemium gamers, females are significantly more likely than males to have played a freemium game, NPD finds, but they are among “the least likely to pay for an upgrade.”

“The majority of freemium gamers who opt to pay to upgrade their experience do so within the first month of playing a particular game,” reveals Anita Frazier, industry analyst with The NPD Group. “When designing a game, it’s important to consider features that would drive quick conversion to pay.”

With no barrier to entry other than ownership of a compatible device and access to the internet, adoption of freemium games is quite high among those who are aware, with only 15 percent of gamers that are aware of freemium games choosing not to play them.

Are you prone to in-app purchases or premium upgrades when playing freemium games on your mobile device?