SuperData Research reports on Online Gamers’ Payment Preferences in North America and Europe
New York, January 25, 2011 – According to the Payment Mix Report 2011, the most recent study by digital goods measurement company, SuperData Research, prepaid game cards, mobile, bank transfers and others combined facilitate 42% of the virtual goods transactions in Western markets.
Traditionally credit cards and PayPal have facilitated online purchases. But in a key market like Germany, which SuperData estimates at $231 million in annual virtual good sales, these methods stand toe-to-toe with eVouchers and Mobile payment. According to the report, alternative forms of payment total $970 million in virtual goods sales annually in Europe and North America.
“Like language, you have to localize payment methods when you’re targeting a global audience,” says lead analyst Joost van Dreunen, Ph.D. “Effective monetization means knowing by how much you can increase your audience base by offering an additional payment method.”
Methodology
The study builds on a dataset of 2,116,045 unique virtual good transactions from MMOs, social games, casual games, and virtual worlds in North America and Europe. Virtual items are defined as “in-game items or game-related services, such as a virtual currency or temporary subscription, that enable or enhance game play.” Numbers include PC (MMO, FPS, casual, social) and console game platforms. Countries covered by this study are: Austria, Belgium, Canada, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, Ukraine, United Kingdom and United States. For more information on SuperData Research’s methodology and dataset, click here.
