In-app Purchases In "Free" Games

The average in-game purchase in "freemium" games in the UK is £18.62, a research has found.

18:02 14 April 2016

A new research has found that many people in the UK are playing so-called free games, which offers in-app purchases. These “freemium games” generate up to  £1 million a day as more and more gamers are willing to spend upgrading to a new level of play.

 

The research also revealed the following:

 

·       One in 10 adults are addicted to at least one “freemium” game

 

·       About 8per cent of the 2,000 participants admitted to playing mobile games even at work

 

·       Gamers spend an average of £18.62 for in-app purchases and the number rise to £32.66 in Northern Ireland

 

·       9per cent of parents have their credit card details on their child’s phone for purchases

 

 

Commenting on the study’s discoveries, Matt Sanders, of GoCompare.com said: "Free-to-play mobile games might seem like something for nothing. However, most of these games are designed to encourage a 'just one more' mentality, and with one in ten adults saying they're addicted to at least one of these games, this can be a dangerous combination when paired with in-app purchases.

 

"Free games tend to keep in-app purchases fairly cheap, with regular small purchases key to their income. However, while something like a £2.99 purchase once a week may not seem like much, it can add up to over £150 a year and some may find they're spending a significant amount of money on a 'free' game.