Free-to-play or “freemium” mobile games have seen a big jump in revenue since January. According to mobile analytics company Flurry, freemium games now account for 65 percent of revenue among the top 100 games in the App Store, while paid downloads only account for 35 percent of revenue.
This news is a drastic turnaround from January, when paid download revenue generated 61 percent of revenue for the top 100 games.
The freemium model appeals to a greater number of potential users by allowing anyone to try the game for free, but the model makes its money by selling virtual items, currency, and goods that enhance the gameplay. While paid downloads are still an important source of revenue, freemium games can hold onto users for longer periods of time through constant updates and features.
Read more from GigaOM.
