The UK spent as much as £280 million on online-based casual games, a new study suggests.
If accurate, the research reveals that 2.4 million Britons paid on average £117 each to play games through online game portals. For mobile games, the UK spent £170 million.
German gamers spend £440 million, and France spends £220 million on online game portals. The figures come as the freemium, browser and online game models continue to break apart traditional game business models.
The study, conducted by TNS and Gamesindustry.com, says however that the online game market has far more opportunity to grow – only 18 per cent Brits playing through online game portals end up entering their credit card details.
Facebook and other social networks have been more successful, with 38 per cent of its players paying for premium content.
“The range of business models in the online casual gaming business is staggering,” says Rik Haandrikman, head of business development at GamePoint.