In 2021, Germans spent almost €2.8 billion on in-app purchases in Free2Play mobile games – a new record.
It was originally expected that demand for games would weaken at least slightly after the pandemic-related sales records. At least not for mobile games: In the past year, the segment in Germany grew at the same rate as in previous years, namely by a whopping 22 percent to €2.78 billion.
The Game industry association determined the figures on the basis of Data.ai and GfK data.
The lion’s share of more than 99 percent is accounted for by games based on the Free2Play model In other words, the apps can be downloaded and used free of charge from the App Store and Play Store. If you need additional ‘lives’, want to continue playing or progress faster, you can help with in-app purchases. Some of the largest German studios have been successful with this concept for years, including InnoGames, Goodgame Studios, Upjers, Travian Games, Wooga and Kolibri Games.
In terms of sales, perennial favorites such as candy Crush Saga, Pokemon Go, clash of clans, Gardenscapes, Roblox, PUBG Mobile or the controversial Coin Master.
App purchases, which at €7 million have almost halved compared to 2020, still play a niche role at best. The still very small market for subscription models is also shown for the first time: €12 million was spent on flat-rate tariffs such as the Google Play Pass and Apple Arcade.
In-app purchases make up two-thirds of the entire microtransaction marketwhich includes in-game purchases for PC and console games like FIFA 22, grand theft auto 5 or Call of Duty Warzone counting. The segment is by far the largest revenue block within the €9.8 billion market for computer and video games: Of the €100 spent on games, consoles and accessories in Germany in 2021, €43.40 was attributable to microtransactions .
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