Impact of Digitalization on the Monetization of Mahjong Games

This extended abstract examines how digitalization has reshaped the monetization of Mahjong games, a traditional game of major cultural importance in Hong Kong and Greater China. The authors compare physical Mahjong with arcade, console, PC, and mobile versions, categorizing each by its degree of digitalization and analyzing them through a framework that distinguishes paid-to-play from free-to-play business models. Their central thesis is that digitalization has shifted Mahjong's economic model from one-time purchases and per-session payments toward microtransactions, with monetization increasingly concentrated on a smaller group of highly engaged players.

The findings identify several notable shifts. Digital versions substantially lower the entry barrier: console or PC titles typically cost around 150 HKD, far less than paying to play at a Mahjong parlor, and most mobile versions are free to download. The authors also observe a stronger link between player retention and monetization in digital titles, particularly free-to-play games that rely on microtransactions and continual updates informed by user behavior analysis. A further finding is that digital games often target a small proportion of paying users, with the authors citing an industry figure that free-to-play titles rely on fewer than 10 percent of players to generate profit. Online connectivity also enables new time-based and round-based monetization schemes, such as daily play limits that prompt payment, which traditional parlors did not offer.

The study is qualitative and exploratory, based on the authors' hands-on play of a range of Mahjong titles across platforms, with attributes such as player structure, art style, gameplay, rules, and monetization recorded and compared. Its scope is therefore limited to observed game features rather than large-scale player data, and its conclusions are presented as initial findings.

The discussion weighs both benefits and drawbacks. Digitalization lowers barriers for newcomers, preserves regional rule variants, and allows developers to refine gameplay for player satisfaction. However, the authors argue that hardcore-focused mobile titles, whose casino-like aesthetics and monetization structures facilitate illegal gambling, can erode traditional social values associated with Mahjong, such as family, community, and festival gatherings.