Grand Theft Auto V

News roundup: Opinions on GTA V and the rise of iOS 7

This industry analysis examines the shifting landscape of mobile monetization and platform adoption as of September 2013, contrasting the traditional console model with the prevailing free-to-play (F2P) paradigm.

• Top-grossing mobile titles like Candy Crush Saga achieve an average revenue per paying user of approximately $40 annually, matching the upfront retail cost of many premium console games.
• Mobile developers such as GungHo Online and Supercell are demonstrating that high-frequency monetization strategies often outperform the traditional one-time purchase model used by console releases like Grand Theft Auto V.
• Mobile gaming is increasingly adopting complex monetization mechanics, including dual hard currencies, randomized item drops, and time-gated progression, even within premium-priced titles like Infinity Blade III.