Over 80% of Taiwan netizens indulge in digital games: survey

Taipei, Nov. 13 (CNA) More than 80 percent of internet users in Taiwan play digital games, with mobile gaming the most common format, according to a survey released Thursday by the Market Intelligence and Consulting Institute (MIC) based on 2024 data.

The survey found that 81.4 percent of netizens engage in digital gaming, representing an increase of about 10 percent from a year earlier.

Among all platforms, mobile gaming was by far the most dominant, with 83.9 percent of respondents saying they regularly play games on smartphones or other smart devices. By comparison, 26 percent used personal computers, 24.4 percent played on consoles, and 13.9 percent played web-based games.

The MIC said 35.5 percent of all gamers reported spending money on games, with those aged 18-34 accounting for nearly half of that group.

However, senior industry analyst Chang Chen-yu (張真瑜) said the latest findings indicate a decline in overall gaming-related spending, a trend that has continued since the end of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Chang added that opting for free-to-play games also resulted in the decline observed in game purchases.

That being said, while most gamers tend to prefer free-to-play games, such games have already developed highly advanced mechanisms to encourage in-game purchases.

Regarding monthly spending microtransaction patterns, the MIC found that 72.1 percent of gamers spend less than NT$1,000 (US$32) per month. Among them, 23.5 percent spend between NT$300 and NT$500, and 22.5 percent spend between NT$500 and NT$1,000 - typically on items such as costumes, special gear, or features that accelerate character progression.

The MIC said the survey, conducted in the fourth quarter of 2024, collected 1,068 valid responses and carried a confidence level of 95 percent with a margin of error of plus or minus 3 percentage points.