Taipei: More than 80 percent of internet users in Taiwan are actively participating in digital gaming, with mobile games emerging as the most prevalent platform.

According to Focus Taiwan, a survey conducted by the Market Intelligence and Consulting Institute (MIC) based on 2024 data revealed that 81.4 percent of netizens engage in digital gaming, marking a significant increase of approximately 10 percent from the previous year.

The survey highlights that mobile gaming is the dominant choice among platforms, with 83.9 percent of respondents indicating regular gameplay on smartphones or other smart devices. In contrast, only 26 percent of participants use personal computers for gaming, 24.4 percent opt for consoles, and a mere 13.9 percent engage in web-based games.

The MIC reported that 35.5 percent of all gamers are willing to spend money on games, with individuals aged 18-34 representing nearly half of this group. However, Chang Chen-yu, a senior industry analyst, mentioned that there is a noticeable decline in overall gaming-related spending, a trend continuing since the end of the COVID-19 pandemic. Chang pointed out that the preference for free-to-play games has contributed to the decrease in game purchases, despite these games employing sophisticated mechanisms to encourage in-game transactions.

The survey also examined monthly spending habits on microtransactions, revealing that 72.1 percent of gamers spend less than NT$1,000 (US$32) monthly. Of these, 23.5 percent spend between NT$300 and NT$500, and 22.5 percent allocate between NT$500 and NT$1,000, typically on items such as costumes, special gear, or features that enhance character progression.

The MIC indicated that the survey, conducted in the fourth quarter of 2024, comprised 1,068 valid responses and was executed with a confidence level of 95 percent and a margin of error of plus or minus 3 percentage points.