Worldwide digital games market in February 2020

SuperData have released their report on worldwide digital games spending in February 2020.

The report shows that spending for the month was up by 4 percent year-on-year to $9.2 billion. Mobile revenue was up by 16 percent, a particular highlight as always, while console and PC revenue dropped year-on-year by 22 percent and 6 percent respectively.

February 2019 was a month packed with big releases, which February 2020 was not. Without those larger game launches to rely on, free-to-play revenue dropped by 49 percent year-on-year, and premium console revenue dropped by 17 percent year-on-year.

While measures are now in place to combat the coronavirus, (COVID-19), many didn’t come into effect until March. As a result, a number of games have seen a boost this month that isn’t reflected in February’s data.

In Japan, Dragon Ball Z Dakkan Battle and Monster Strike both saw a rise in revenue, as it’s thought Japanese consumers gravitate more towards games. Dragon Ball Z Dakkan Battle saw a jump in revenue of more than triple to $78 million in February from $24.8 million in January.

Counter-Strike: Global Offensive (CS:GO) players spiked to the highest they’ve ever been in February, 24 million. The game has seen a continued upward trend of interest since going free-to-play in December 2018. However, the impending launch of Riot Games’ Valorant, and the success of Call of Duty: Warzone, could both affect any further growth in the CS:GO player base.

The PlayStation 4 version of The Sims 4 was offered to users for free during February, pushing player numbers on the platform to 2.5 million, more than the PC version at 2.2 million. The Sims 4 generates most of its revenue from in-game content, and this offer was EA’s way of securing as many PlayStation 4 users as possible.

Coin Master had its best earnings ever during February, $87.1 million. The social casino game rose to be eighth in the mobile chart, and is now the best-earning social casino game on the market. This is impressive considering that the game isn’t endorsed by a celebrity, like slotomania or DoubleDown casino, both of which have seen Jennifer Lopez appear in advertisements.