Player Behavior reports and market data
Documents
The Power of Play: España
Gaming serves as a vital tool for emotional regulation and social connection among Spanish players, functioning as a primary mechanism for stress reduction, cognitive stimulation, and the development of interpersonal relationships.
- Gaming is primarily used for emotional regulation in Spain, with 78% of men and 75% of women reporting that it effectively reduces stress and anxiety.
- Social connection is a major driver for the Spanish gaming population, with 62% of men and 55% of women citing it as a primary motivation for play.
- Online multiplayer engagement is significantly higher among men, with approximately 80% reporting they play with others online, whereas women show a stronger preference for solo play.
2024 Financial and Fan Support Structures in Korean eSports
The analysis examines the financial scale of Korean e-sports organizations and the patterns of fan support, drawing on a longitudinal budget survey (2015-2023) and two 2024 public opinion polls conducted across South Korea.
- Korean e-sports team expenditures grew nearly five-fold between 2015 and 2023, rising from 22.1 billion won to 111.6 billion won.
- Market investment is accelerating, with total team spending increasing by 15.9% between 2022 and 2023 alone.
- Fan loyalty is highly concentrated, as T1 commands 78.2% of identified team supporters, while the runner-up Gen.G holds only 5.4%.
The Xsolla Report: State of Play (Autumn 2024 Edition)
Mobile gaming is now the dominant segment of the global video-games market, generating $98.7 billion in 2024, of which roughly two-thirds ($65 billion) originates from Asian economies.
- Mobile gaming is the dominant global segment, generating $98.7 billion in 2024, with $65 billion of that revenue originating from Asian markets.
- A small 'whale' cohort comprising 2% to 6% of the player base accounts for 95% of all in-app spending.
- Direct-to-consumer (D2C) web shops are highly effective, with 81% of players aware of them and 77% having completed at least one purchase.
Mobile Gaming Spender Report: Decoding Today’s Mobile IAP Spenders to Understand Motivations, Engagement
The 2024 Mobile Gaming Spender Report by Mistplay examines the evolving motivations, behaviors, and shifting financial priorities of mobile in-app purchase (IAP) spenders.
- Economic headwinds are driving a contraction in spending, with 32% of all mobile spenders and 41% of high-value spenders planning to reduce their in-game expenditures in 2024.
- Value-driven incentives are critical for retention, as 51% of spenders would increase their spending if they earned tangible rewards or points for their purchases.
- Loyalty programs and hyper-personalization are essential engagement tools, with 79% of spenders engaging with loyalty programs and 40% influenced by personalized offers.
Toxicity and the Bottom Line: The Impact of Hate and Harassment on Player Retention and In-Game Purchases
Toxicity and harassment in online gaming environments significantly impact player retention and monetization, creating a direct financial incentive for studios to prioritize trust and safety.
- Toxicity directly suppresses revenue, as 19% of players spend less money and 21% reduce their overall playtime to avoid harassment.
- Safety is a critical player priority, with 75% of the 2,408 surveyed gamers identifying protection from hate and harassment as a high priority.
- Harassment causes significant engagement loss, with 44% of players disabling voice chat, 31% abandoning active matches, and 27% leaving lobbies to avoid abuse.
Inside Gaming: It's Personal! 2024
Gaming has evolved into a primary medium for identity formation and self-expression, with nearly two-thirds of players reporting that they feel more authentic while gaming than in their daily lives.
- 46% of gamers now prioritize creation and imagination as their primary motivation for playing, representing a 10% year-over-year increase.
- Games that facilitate self-expression through customization, open worlds, and constant updates—such as Roblox, Fortnite, and The Sims—achieve 60% higher engagement than industry norms.
- 72% of consumers report they would view brands more favorably if those companies helped them translate their gaming-inspired self-expression into real-world products, skills, or lifestyle alignments.
NSPCC’s Kevin Antao And Andy Sallnow On How To Prevent Child Abuse In Games
Gaming serves as a primary digital gateway for children, with 91 percent of individuals aged 3 to 15 engaging in interactive entertainment.
- Gaming is a primary digital gateway for children, with 91 percent of individuals aged 3 to 15 engaging in interactive entertainment.
- Nearly one-fifth of all contacts to Childline are now directly linked to gaming-related issues, highlighting a significant surge in predatory behavior and harmful interactions.
- The industry must shift toward a 'safety by design' model, where protective measures are integrated into the fundamental architecture of games rather than treated as secondary features.
Why I'm Lonely Gaming - Extra Credits Gaming
Despite the increasing popularity and connectivity of modern gaming, the industry faces a significant crisis of social isolation.
- Approximately 50% of gamers report experiencing loneliness, a rate significantly higher than that of the general adult population.
- Modern gaming culture has prioritized convenience features like automated matchmaking and solo-queueing, which have inadvertently eroded the community-building efforts once required to organize play.
- Anonymity and toxic behavior in multiplayer environments have transformed many gaming experiences from social opportunities into sources of stress.
Skillprint’s Chethan Ramachandran On Combining Neuroscience And AI For An Adaptive Play Solution
The integration of neuroscience and artificial intelligence offers a transformative approach to game design, shifting the industry toward highly personalized, adaptive play experiences.
- Skillprint uses neuroscience and AI to create adaptive game experiences that maintain players in a 'flow state' by dynamically balancing difficulty to prevent boredom or frustration.
- The platform functions as an automated LiveOps tool, providing developers with actionable data on player personality, behavior, and cognitive traits to improve engagement, retention, and monetization.
- Skillprint developed its data model by cross-referencing player performance in games with established neuroscience and cognitive science exam batteries to create a high-fidelity mapping of human behavior.
How IP and Brand Collaborations Level Up Games
IP and brand collaborations serve as a critical strategic lever for boosting player engagement and revenue in the modern games market.
- Aligning in-game collaborations with external transmedia marketing, such as theatrical film releases, can drive DAU increases of up to 120%.
- IP collaborations generate an average 11% increase in daily active users (DAU) during the first week of launch, with engagement typically peaking between the fourth and fifth days.
- Premium games see a 19% average DAU boost from collaborations, significantly outperforming free-to-play titles, which see an 8% increase due to a heavier reliance on cosmetic-only content.
Power: Global Report 2023
The 2023 Global Report on the power of play examines the multifaceted impact of video games on players worldwide, challenging traditional perceptions that categorize gaming solely as entertainment.
- 71% of global players report that gaming helps reduce feelings of isolation, establishing it as a primary tool for community building.
- 69% of the 12,847 surveyed gamers across 12 countries utilize video games specifically for stress relief and relaxation.
- Nearly 50% of all players have formed meaningful personal relationships, including friendships and marriages, through gaming environments.
Jam City’s Rose Agozzino On Powerful Partnerships To Promote Cross-Generational, Ground-Shaking Play
The mobile gaming industry relies heavily on strategic partnerships and nostalgia-driven content to maintain long-term player engagement.
- Jurassic World Alive has achieved 33 million downloads and 2.3 billion play minutes over its five-year lifespan by utilizing a geolocation-based model.
- Strategic partnerships, such as the collaboration with Mattel to integrate 1993-era assets, successfully leverage nostalgia to bridge physical and digital gaming experiences.
- Cross-generational appeal is a primary growth driver, allowing parents to share gaming experiences with their children and expand the title's demographic reach.