32% of players plan to reduce spending on mobile games in 2024

According to Mistplay’s latest report, approximately 32% of spending players plan to exercise more caution in their spending this year, reflecting a growing trend towards mindful consumption in the gaming community.

This trend is particularly pronounced among high-value spenders, with 41% of this cohort expressing their intention to reduce spending in 2024. Jason Heller, CEO of Mistplay, cautions that in the fiercely competitive landscape of mobile gaming, companies must adapt to these evolving consumer behaviors or risk falling behind.

Mistplay’s insights are drawn from a comprehensive survey of over 2,000 mobile spenders in the United States and Canada. The report classifies players into low-value, mid-value, and high-value paying categories, revealing intriguing patterns in spending behavior across different segments.

Among high-value spenders, defined as those with lifetime spending exceeding $100, a notable 54% make three or more in-game purchases monthly. However, a significant portion of paying players, encompassing 39% across all categories, limit their purchases to a single game each month, primarily driven by factors such as gameplay progression and personal satisfaction.

In response to the anticipated reduction in spending, Mistplay advocates for tailored strategies to incentivize in-app purchases. The report highlights that 33% of surveyed spenders would still be inclined to spend if presented with irresistible deals, while 40% express a willingness to increase spending in exchange for personalized offers. Additionally, 51% indicate a readiness to invest more in-game if rewarded with extra points or monetary incentives.

Delving deeper into spending habits across different gaming genres, Mistplay’s findings shed light on demographic preferences and trends. Notably, casual genres such as match, puzzle, and simulation games attract a predominantly female audience, with 81% of spenders in these categories being women. However, 28% of paying players in these genres intend to reduce their spending across multiple games this year, signaling a shifting landscape in consumer behavior.

Conversely, the midcore gaming segment presents a different demographic profile, with men comprising 61% of paying players. While 29% of midcore spenders plan to scale back on spending, a substantial 26% express a willingness to increase spending if offered discounts on in-game items.

As the mobile gaming market matures, Heller emphasizes the importance of understanding spender behavior to drive long-term value. With user acquisition becoming increasingly challenging and competition for consumer wallet share intensifying, companies must adapt their strategies to cater to the evolving needs and preferences of their player base.

In navigating this ever-evolving landscape, insights derived from reports such as Mistplay’s Mobile Gaming Spender Report serve as invaluable tools for industry stakeholders seeking to thrive in an increasingly competitive marketplace. Understanding and responding to the intricacies of spender behavior will be pivotal in shaping the success of mobile gaming ventures in the years to come.

According to a recent report, the worldwide consumer spending on mobile games experienced a consecutive annual decrease in 2023, dipping to $107.3 billion. This decline was accompanied by a significant drop in downloads, marking the first instance of such a decrease and settling at approximately 88 billion downloads.