According to an analysis by GAMIVO, gamers most frequently opt for titles priced up to €20 (about 85 PLN). This price range accounts for 71.2% of selected games. Only three out of ten purchased games exceed the €20 threshold. Gamers are seeking to save money, but this doesn’t mean they are compromising on quality. Their purchasing decisions are influenced by market trends, publisher pricing policies, and an unfavorable economic environment.
Preferred Price Ranges
Closer examination of data from GAMIVO.com reveals that gamers prefer titles priced between €10-20, representing 25.2% of purchases. This is closely followed by games priced between €5-10 (23.6%) and those costing under €5 (22.4%). The €20 price point acts as a clear barrier. Games priced between €20-30 account for 12.81% of purchases, while titles priced €30-45 drop to 9%, and those over €45 represent just 7%.
These statistics show that gamers are eager to buy discounted and smaller titles. It is worth noting that major publishers raised the upper price limit of AAA titles from $60 to $70 a few years ago. For Polish gamers, this means paying around 300 PLN for the biggest hits on release day.
– “Even such high prices don’t deter some gamers, which is why the average cart value typically rises during major releases. Playing a newly released game has undeniable advantages, such as avoiding online spoilers and experiencing a new adventure alongside other players. On the other hand, games at launch often have bugs that are fixed by the time discounts roll around. This is why many gamers prefer to wait, especially with so many options available,” explains Mateusz Śmieżewski, CEO of GAMIVO.
Polish Gamers Are Frugal
Among countries that favor games priced under €20, Mexico leads the way (over 84%), followed by Brazil (80.7%) and Poland (77%). These figures are significantly above the global average.
– “The fact that gamers in these countries buy cheaper titles doesn’t mean they settle for lower quality. Gaming is a unique medium when it comes to pricing. The lower price ranges often include excellent indie titles, such as ‘Balatro,’ a 2024 Game of the Year contender priced at under 65 PLN. The second major category in the sub-€20 range consists of older hits offered at promotional prices. This includes not only vintage classics but also bestsellers from a year or two ago,” highlights Śmieżewski.
At the other end of the spectrum are Italy (where 35.6% of purchases exceed €20), followed by Germany (35.3%), the Netherlands (34.8%), Spain (30.2%), and France (30%). Interestingly, in the USA and UK, fewer than 30% of games purchased exceed €20, suggesting that even gamers in wealthier countries favor discounted titles.
– “Publisher pricing strategies play a significant role. Our analysis shows that for major AAA titles, gamers typically wait around 100 days for the first price drop. The second promotional threshold comes at 155 days, and the third at 198 days. Gamers who wait about 240 days can expect even better discounts. However, pricing strategies vary by title, and some games see discounts just a month after launch, which can frustrate those who paid full price,” adds Śmieżewski.
Cheaper Options and Greater Variety
Pricing trends are influenced not only by consumer habits but also by the overall market environment. Despite the growing demand for games, players face increasing expenses, inflationary pressure, and reduced disposable income.
– “In recent months, the unfavorable economic climate has led to spending cuts. Entertainment is often the first area where budgets are trimmed. For gamers, this doesn’t mean giving up purchases entirely but rather opting for cheaper titles, waiting for discounts, or playing free games. This is reflected in a Newzoo report showing that free-to-play games dominate the most-played titles, including ‘Roblox,’ ‘League of Legends,’ ‘Overwatch,’ ‘Fortnite,’ and ‘Apex Legends.’ These are high-quality, continually updated games that don’t cost a dime,” Śmieżewski notes.
How the Analysis Was Conducted
The analysis was based on data from the GAMIVO platform, covering purchase decisions made between January 1, 2024, and November 30, 2024. GAMIVO operates globally, serving approximately 5.8 million registered users.
Source: Manager Plus
