Published on: 16/05/2022
PUBG Mobile hits over $7 billion in player spending
PUBG Mobile, a popular free-to-play battle royale title developed by LightSpeed & Quantum Studio and KRAFTON, recently reached its highest record of in-game player spending on both App Store and Google Play at over $7 billion.
There are two likely reasons for PUBGM’s new milestone. First, the global phenomenon title received huge sponsorships via its large professional esports scene, and second, the game’s popular and vast in-game loot boxes led players to flock in to purchase.
Reportedly, trailing behind PUBGM is Moonton Games’ Mobile Legends: Bang Bang. According to multiple reports, however, Moonton is not making much compared to PUBGM’s.
PUBGM hits over $7 billion
In a report by Sensor Tower, PUBGM recorded quarterly revenue of $771 million in Q3 2021 alone. The number that the game received in late 2021 had pushed PUBGM’s revenue to over $7 billion.
When combined with the game’s localized Chinese version, Game for Peace, the game accumulated a total revenue of $2.6 billion, according to Pocket Gamer.biz. Meanwhile, in another report by Esports Junkie, the Chinese version made 57 percent or approximately $4.7 billion in overall consumer spending.
The Chinese gaming market is well known for its massive size of consumers who are willing to spend their money on in-game items and cosmetics. Add the Chinese region to the list and the rest of the Asian countries, then the prospects for the mobile video game are as big as ever.
Moreover, Newzoo had China as the top country in its list of Top 10 Countries/Markets by Game Revenues. China recently recorded a total of $49.25 billion of revenue from its 685.48 million players.
Outside China, PUBGM made $3 billion, with the United States as its second-biggest contributor to in-game consumer purchases, or roughly 11.8 percent of global in-game purchases. Trailing behind is Japan, which is responsible for 4.2 percent.
Both App Store and Google Play played a major part in PUBGM’s successful financial story. Player spending-wise, the former racked up 81 percent while the latter 19 percent. Outside of China, App Store recorded 56.6 percent and Google Play 43.4 percent.
Last year, PUBGM also replaced Candy Crush Saga as the fourth-highest-grossing mobile game of all time. PUBGM trailed behind Honor of Kings, Mixi’s Monster Strike, and Supercell’s Clash of Clans.
Market change for PUBGM
Throughout the years, PUBGM recorded poor receptions from several regions, which eventually affected the game’s reception. In India, PUBGM was banned by the government due to security issues. India hosted PUBGM’s second-highest player count and the ban stripped away the country’s financial contribution to PUBGM.
The game also witnessed a change in the market when the pandemic was in full swing. Players from the U.S. took over PUBGM’s original market of players. As of now, Uncle Sam sits on top of the list, followed by Japan and China in second. The third spot belongs to South Korea.
One thing that can explain PUBGM’s longevity, other than professional esports tournaments, is the variation of in-game items the game has to offer. Additionally, the game also features interesting monthly updates and collaboration events that have been keeping its players in the game.
