In the sea, there are several fish mammals. However, not all fish mammals are created equal; some are just superior to others. The term “whales” has been coined in recent years to represent a small number of users (about 2%) who provide most of the money for mobile app and game producers.
Someone who spends a lot of microtransactions on their phone is known as a mobile gaming whale. For example, in free-to-play games, “whales” are the primary target for microtransactions; they’re the ones who buy booster packs, cosmetics, and other items. They’re in large numbers.
According to research, whales account for a minor fraction of users in most top-grossing games, but they are responsible for up to 50% or more of an app’s revenue sales.
Whales are consumers who spend hundreds of thousands, if not millions, of dollars on a mobile game.
They can often make the difference between a game-breaking even and being profitable.
It will be tough to “catch” this type of user. Occasionally, high-earning companies will pay more than $500 for a “super whale” user. It may appear to be a substantial sum, but if that user spends thousands of dollars in-game, it is well worth the investment.
“Every publisher was on the search for whales in the early days of the mobile gaming boom. Only a small percentage of gamers paid for in-app purchases, and while minnows were fine for ad revenue, huge spenders — the whales — were the ones that drove success.”
The number of gamers who make purchases has increased by a third in the last few years.
Whales in video games and in-app purchases
As more game players choose to spend money in-game, mobile game producers will have to rely less on “whale” or big spenders. The quality of free apps has improved, and the paid app monetization model is no longer as appealing.
Currently, just approximately 5% of apps in the Google Play Store are paid (App Brain). Paid apps are typically created by well-known software companies with a higher chance of reaching a larger audience. Minecraft, Grand Theft Auto, and Assassin’s Creed Identity are among the most popular apps in the Google Play Store.
Other monetization models, such as advertising-based, subscription-based, or in-app purchases, are being used by more mobile app and game creators.
For several genres, the ARPDAU (Average Revenue Per Daily Active User) has consistently increased over the last few years. ARPDAU is a measure that helps you figure out how effective your monetization is.
Regardless of any monetization approach you use, you’ll need to track the success of your monetization. ARPDAU will also show you how any adjustments you’ve made to the app affect your monetization performance.
Gaming Whales’ Various Behaviors
There are slow whales and swift and furious whales, according to Game of Whales. The fast and furious whales might easily spend more than $500 in their first session, whilst the patient whales take their time.
Slow whales have much slower spending habits, and they’ll initially spend a tiny amount of money trying out the features. They’ll spend more and more money as they become more familiar with the game and begin to play it more actively.
Your main goal with this type of gamer should be to keep them happy, involved, and interested. Slower whales may be more difficult to chase and require more time and effort, but they will undoubtedly pay off in the end.
A Million-Dollar Whale
Whales are still essential in the world of mobile gaming, though not as much as they once were. In an article regarding migratory gaming whales, John Koetsier, VP of Singular, claimed that he spoke with a casual mobile game producer who had a whale that spent over $1 million on her platform.
Isn’t it a little unbelievable?
Rather than a million dollars from a single whale, today’s app publishers rely on scalable monetization tactics that bring in a penny from each sardine.
With more and more console games becoming mobile, mobile gaming is becoming a social phenomenon. Games like PUBG Mobile, Fortnite, and Free Fire demonstrated the power of mobile devices.
Mobile games have surpassed consoles, desktop games, and portable gaming as the fastest-growing gaming categories. PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds (PUBG) and Fortnite are two of the most popular games throughout the world.
They may have very different looks and cater to other markets, but they fall under the same battle royale game category. Battle royale games are almost always multiplayer-only and free-to-play with in-app payments. The social aspect of these games is undeniable.
You’ll want to show off and buy that extra pack or upgrade to appear better when you’re playing with your pals, and you’ll want to win!
Game of Whales
The Game of Whales team intended to build a “dream platform” to improve the metrics they wanted to see better. They’ve created an intelligent tool that automatically boosts revenue, conversion rates, ARPPU, and mobile games’ retention rates.
Game of Whales was created with the “whales” of mobile gaming in mind. It automates the process of identifying, interacting with, and optimizing potential whales. The AI algorithm technology identifies and motivates all of your whales for you using behavioral predictions.
Final Words
We conclude the above article by saying that since free-to-play mobile gaming became popular in Asia, particularly in nations like China and Japan, “whale” has been used. Initially, the term “whale” was used in casinos to designate high-rolling gamblers. A “whale” is a level above a “high roller,” having a spending budget of at least $1,000,000 and special treatment from the casinos.
In gaming, a “whale” is someone who spends a lot of money on microtransactions, and a whale is portrayed as a spender who lacks self-control or has an excessive amount of disposable wealth. Every week, a whale can spend anything from $5 to $1000. It has yet to be confirmed whether game creators give gaming whales preferential treatment.
