eSports & Mobile Gaming Revenue Shocker 2020
It’s a wild year in the gaming world—think of it as the biggest roller‑coaster in the arena of digital entertainment. Strap in and let’s break down the jaw‑dropping numbers.
1⃣ Sponsorships Are Still Holding The Reins
- eSports sponsorships (including ad revenue) are growing 7.5 % YoY—good, but not the party trick it hoped for.
- Digital revenue is a 60.9 % jump—the actual party starter.
- Streaming? It’s a 44.9 % boom—the after‑party this year.
Why Sponsors Keep Their Wallets Open
The global eSports market was projected to haul in about $973.9 million in 2020. Half of that, $584.1 million, came from sponsorships and ads. Even though the growth speed is pretty chill at 7.5 %, sponsors are still pulling the big bucks.
2⃣ In‑App Purchases (IAP) Are the Real MVPs
- In‑App Game Purchase Revenue surged 23.4 % in H1 2020.
- AppsFlyer flags a 15 % rise in IAPs halfway through 2020.
- Meanwhile, ad revenue took a small dip of 11 %—the “secret sauce” that’s losing its sparkle.
A Close‑Call on Ad Revenue
US digital ad revenue is expected to grow a decent 12 % to $196 million. That’s only half the punchpower of the 23 % growth we saw last year. But the “video ads in gaming content” segment is kicking it up a notch—an 18 % jump to surpass $1.56 billion.
3⃣ Mobile Apps Keep the Money Flowing
- Sensor Tower announces a 23.4 % rise in purchases across global mobile apps.
- Games alone brought in $36.6 billion from a total of $50.1 billion—a 21.2 % YoY growth.
- Hybrid models (in‑app purchases + ads) slipped 8 % YoY. Casual & mid‑core games saw an even bigger scare: a 30 % drop in ad revenue.
- Yet, the same period saw a mad 130 % spike in in‑app purchase revenue.
Unity’s Take
When the pandemic hit peak, UNITY’s in‑app spending jumped 24 %. But the price publishers paid to snag new gamers (cost per install) fell sharp by 33 %, meaning the money spent on ads is just as cheap as ever.
Bottom Line
Ad revenue is on a roller‑coaster—some dips, some thrilling peaks. In‑app purchases, however, are the dependable paycheck that keeps the businesses in business. If you’re catching a wave or just watching from the sidelines, the numbers show that every click and swipe matters.
Feel the buzz? Stay ahead of the curve, hit the real‑time updates, and never miss a beat in this gaming bonanza.
