According to Visa-owned PlaySpan, Americans spent $2.3 billion on virtual goods in 2011. That’s roughly double the amount spent on virtual goods in 2009. Those who purchase virtual goods are overwhelmingly male and young; 50 percent of American men under 24 have purchased virtual goods, compared with 15 percent of women the same age.
The increase comes as little surprise for those who have been following the rise of in-app purchases and the freemium model in the mobile development industry.
