Gen Z is into games where the spending never ends. Unlike games where players pay more for up front and it stays the way it came, “forever games” are often multiplayer games that are free or cheap to access but continually evolve—especially through in-game purchases. (Think of Valorant, which has always been free and only profited off weapon skins.) Young gamers are far more likely to use games as a social space than older players, so an endless map and community channels are key to a game getting their attention. And once they’re in, they’re spending big on customizing their characters, weapons, or other add-ons: MIDiA Research found 67% of global games revenue last year game from in-game purchases. However, the success of one live service game can mean the fall of another—when the goal is to get as much screen time as possible, only a few games (if more than one) can be regulars. (Sky News)
📊 YPulse data: 50% of 18-24-year-olds have purchased a digital product
