A recent annual survey by SMBC Consumer Finance, focusing on financial literacy among Japanese individuals aged 20 to 29, has unearthed some concerning insights into the gaming habits of this group, as reported by Automaton.
The survey found that 18.8% of the 1,000 participants confessed to spending so much on in-game purchases that it impacted their ability to pay for living expenses. Males (22.8%) were more inclined to prioritize spending on gacha rolls over essentials like food and rent compared to females (14.8%).
Nearly a quarter of those surveyed expressed regret over their spending on video games, yet the proportion of people engaging in microtransactions rose by almost 6% from 2024’s survey. There was an increase in the number of respondents who agreed with statements like "I’m willing to pay to have an advantage in-game" and "I can’t enjoy the game without making in-game purchases," despite a slight decline in average monthly expenditure and most people in their twenties still refraining from such spending.
Games with in-app purchases, particularly mobile apps featuring gacha mechanics, continue to generate significant revenue worldwide. In March 2025, spending via Apple’s App Store and Google Play amounted to $6.79 billion, with Japan contributing 14.3% of this total. Popular games like PUBG Mobile, Candy Crush Saga, and Pokémon Go are major revenue generators. However, there are other lesser-known games outperforming these well-known titles without receiving much coverage on platforms like Polygon.
Regardless of the mixed feelings among gamers, these types of games are increasingly thriving, even if players, like those surveyed in Japan, spend money somewhat reluctantly.
