Mobile games to generate 75% of free-to-play gaming revenue in 2020

Mobile Free-to-play Gaming Revenue Jumped by $8.3bn in Two Years
Recent years have witnessed a surge in the number of free-to-play game users, with megahits like Fortnite, Apex, League of Legends, or Counter-Strike: Global Offensive striking tens or even hundreds of millions of players globally. Although these popular games give their users free access to content, they still have to pay to enhance in-game features or unlock other levels, items and characters.-

In 2018, the global free-to-play gaming revenue reached $82.5 bn value, revealed the Super Data Report. Thanks to strong performances from titles like Honour of Kings, Candy Crush Saga and Pokémon GO, mobile free to play games made the largest stare of that amount, with $58.8 bn in revenue the same year. PC and console free-to-play games followed with $21.6bn and $2.1bn, respectively.

By the end of 2019, the overall market revenue jumped to $87.1 bn value. The mobile segment also continued rising, reaching $64.4bn profit that year. However, the other two segments were affected by a downsizing trend. Statistics show that PC free-to-play games fell to $21.1 bn profit the same year, and console games generated only $1.6bn income or nearly 25% less compared to a year before.

Statistics indicate the downsizing trend in the PC and console segment of the free-to-play gaming market is expected to continue this year, with the revenue falling to $20.6bn and $1bn, respectively. However, the free-to-play mobile games are set to reach $67.1 bn profit, or $8.3bn more compared to 2018 figures.

Asia to Generate 60% of the F2P Gaming Revenue This Year
Analyzed by geography, Asia represents the leading free-to-play gaming market in the world, expected to generate $53.3bn profit, or 60% of the total market revenue this year. Statistics show the Asian mobile F2P games segment is set to reach $41.8 value this year. The PC and console games segments follow with $11.4bn and $132 million, respectively.

With $16.7bn in revenue in 2020, North America is the second-largest free-to-play gaming market globally. Statistics show the mobile games segment of the North American F2P gaming market is set to reach $13.2bn value this year, or almost 80% of the entire market revenue.

Europe ranked as the third-largest region globally, with $11.5bn profit from free-to-play games in 2020. Like with the other two leading regions, mobile F2P games represent the most significant revenue stream, expected to generate $7.6bn profit this year.