Latest Report From The NPD Group Provides Insight into Gamers' Purchasing, Usage, and Perceptions of Additional Gaming Content
Port Washington, NY (PRWEB) October 17, 2016 -- According to PC and Video Games – DLC and Microtransaction Purchasing, the latest report from global information company, The NPD Group, among the U.S. population of males and females age 13-54, 28 percent have purchased additional video game content in the past three months, with males and teens being the primary purchasers. Microtransactions are purchased more often than downloadable content (DLC), at 23 percent and 16 percent, respectively.
Price is the governing factor for gamers considering a microtransaction and/or DLC purchase. Close to half of non-purchasers of microtransactions are not willing to spend any money on them, while 48 percent felt the content was not worth the extra expense. The same was also found among non-DLC purchasers with half stating the DLC was not worth the money and 16 percent who believe the extra content should have been included in the full game price.
While using earned virtual currency to buy items is preferred by microtransaction purchasers, 78 percent are willing to spend some amount of real money to purchase microtransactions such as weapons, tools and power-ups. This is, of course, contingent upon how much the gamer enjoys the game, as well as the price of the microtransaction.
Half of microtransaction purchasers would be influenced to purchase more microtransactions if the prices were less expensive. Attitudes towards mictrotransactions are mostly positive, with the majority (77 percent) claiming to like that microtransactions allow them to extend their enjoyment of a particular game. On the other hand, 68 percent believe the pay-to-win aspect of microstransactions within gaming is unfortunate.
Top reasons for purchasing DLC include wanting to multiplay with friends, having all the game content, and feeling the price for the extra content was reasonable. While most find the prices reasonable, purchasers would still like lower price points; over half indicate they would be influenced to purchase more DLC if the prices were cheaper.
“Spending on microtransactions and DLC is currently healthy, but game publishers and developers must not lose sight of the importance of looking at areas that will stimulate spending growth without compromising real and perceived value of the content they’re providing,” said Sam Naji, industry analyst, The NPD Group.
Methodology
An online survey was conducted among males and females ages 13-54. Qualified respondents indicated that they have purchased some type of DLC or microtransaction within the past 3 months. 8,893 respondents were surveyed. 2,470 qualified as recent DLC or microtransaction purchasers. The survey was in the field from August 19 – September 2, 2016.
About The NPD Group, Inc.
The NPD Group provides market information and business solutions that drive better decision-making and better results. The world’s leading brands rely on us to help them get the right products in the right places for the right people. Practice areas include apparel, appliances, automotive, beauty, consumer electronics, diamonds, e-commerce, entertainment, fashion accessories, food consumption, foodservice, footwear, home, mobile, office supplies, retail, sports, technology, toys, video games, and watches / jewelry. For more information, visit npd.com. Follow us on Twitter: @npdgroup
David Riley, The NPD Group, +1 917-543-5465, [email protected]
Share this article