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PC Gamers Increasingly Invest in Microtransactions, New Report Reveals
A recent industry analysis indicates a significant shift in PC gaming spending, with players allocating a majority of their funds to in-game purchases rather than purchasing full games. According to a new report by Newzoo, microtransactions, such as battle passes and cosmetic skins in titles like Call of Duty, now constitute over half of all expenditures in the PC gaming market. This trend highlights a growing reliance on in-game content for revenue generation within the video game industry.
Dominance of Older Titles in Playtime
The market research firm’s “2025 Report on Console and PC Gaming” illustrates a gaming landscape where player engagement is increasingly concentrated on established titles, rather than new releases. Newzoo’s data reveals that in 2024, PC gamers dedicated a mere 8 percent of their total playtime to games launched in the same year. Conversely, a substantial majority, exceeding 60 percent, of their gaming hours were spent on titles released over six years prior. This indicates a preference for revisiting and engaging with older, well-established games.
The Rise of In-Game Spending
Despite the focus on older games, player spending remains robust, but its allocation has shifted. Instead of purchasing new games, gamers are increasingly investing in in-game microtransactions. These purchases span a wide range of content, from user-generated creations within platforms like Roblox and Fortnite skins to cosmetic items in other popular games. The escalating prices of these digital goods, exemplified by Call of Duty: Black Ops 6’s $20 Jay and Silent Bob tracer bundle, further contribute to this trend. Newzoo’s findings indicate that only 28 percent of PC gaming expenditure in 2024 was directed towards the acquisition of complete games.
Breakdown of PC Gaming Revenue
The research firm’s detailed analysis reveals that microtransactions account for 58 percent of digital spending, while downloadable content (DLC), such as Elden Ring’s Shadow of the Erdtree expansion, represents 14 percent. Collectively, these categories leave approximately $10.7 billion for full game purchases, marking a 2.6 percent decrease compared to the previous year. While upcoming major releases like potential new Elden Ring content, Borderlands 4, and other anticipated titles could potentially alter these figures in 2026, the prevailing trend is evident. The continued success of online platforms like GTA Online, with its robust microtransaction ecosystem, is likely to further divert player spending away from traditional game purchases.
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Publisher Strategies and Market Dynamics
The question of whether microtransactions are negatively impacting the gaming ecosystem is a topic of ongoing discussion. Despite increasing development costs and relatively stable game prices and unit sales, many publishers have opted to maximize revenue through these in-game purchase models. While flagship titles like Assassin’s Creed Shadows are priced at $70, they also incorporate extensive systems of cosmetic and add-on purchases. This strategy may present challenges for games lacking such revenue streams, particularly indie titles, as a larger portion of player spending is concentrated within a smaller number of games.
Console Gaming Trends: A Less Pronounced Shift
While the trend is less pronounced on consoles, a similar pattern is emerging. Microtransactions represent 32 percent of player spending on consoles, according to Newzoo, reflecting a 4.5 percent year-over-year increase. Although full game purchases still constitute the largest share of console spending, this may be a temporary situation. Subscription services like Xbox Game Pass, PS Plus Extra, and Nintendo Switch Online Expansion Pack are collectively capturing approximately 16 percent of player spending, showing a significant 14 percent year-over-year growth. DLC, in contrast, accounts for only 5 percent of spending, or roughly $2.2 billion. This data suggests that console gamers currently exhibit a stronger inclination towards embracing new game releases compared to their PC counterparts.