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Super Mario Run has been downloaded an estimated 90 million times since its launch on December 15 exclusively on the App Store, according to market research firm Newzoo.
The firm estimates that the game has generated more than $30 million in gross revenue, which means only around three per cent of players have paid $10 to unlock the complete experience.
Unlike other top-grossing mobile games like Clash of Clans and Candy Crush which are entirely free-to-play but charge for in-game transactions, Super Mario Run makes its money from a one off purchase.
Nintendo could look to generate additional revenue from paying customers by releasing extra premium levels.
There’s also the imminent launch of Super Mario Run on Android, but this will follow the same business model as the iOS edition.
Perhaps Nintendo will opt for a free-to-play with micro-transaction model for its in development Animal Crossing mobile game, a title which appears much better suited to selling in-game items.
Source: WSJ
