Wow....that is just INSANE. $16,000 over less than 2 years for a Facebook game? And one that he doesn't even play anymore? Someone needs to see a shrink.

"There's a sucker born every minute." P. T. Barnum

 

Care to look at Korea? Nexon was the general driving force of F2P, especially when it came to North America. Sure some I'm sure dabbled with the system, but when others seen it's success? No surprise that everyone jumped on board, especially the general casual game genre.

Sub-based was the norm until F2P made a huge impact. There are people who spend hundreds, even in black market forums over game items. Be them hacked (duped) items or something really one of a kind, there's always someone wanting to buy them. To then fill out multiple characters.. you can see it becoming a huge business. Then include the actual in-game bonuses of extra gold or exp, mainly in the MMO market of course it's thousands spent.

You see people easily spend $100+ for things. I'd direct you to Nexon in North America, for the general high price of things. There's been things from $1 to $100 and people buy it, without even so much as a second glance. I'll admit my own personal spending was high, nearly $5,000 but that was across multiple accounts for 6 years. So that's more of a general casual to someone, unlike those who would spend that in a few months time.

 

Rich and stupid
well isn't he just ripe for the taking
oh wait he all ready has been

 

Better hobby than drinking, one spender says. Probably so. Alcohol kills or injures a lot more people, often not even the drinker, than gaming does. If he can afford it, why not?

 

$16k over a year and a half isn't much when you are pulling in $450k. Even if he 'only' made $200k its 8% of his income, as long as he's able to pay other bills I don't see the harm. Its something he enjoys doing, who are we to judge.

 

Yea, sounds about right. I can spend hundred a night drinking at a bar without a single regret the next morning. Well except for the hangovers.

Why would I care for a couple of dollars for some gems?

 

Adding to that, I am no rich, just in comparison, paying for these games of ten, twenty, fifty bucks really is not a big deal. It really depends on your income though, I would have spent quite a bit if I had a six figure salary. lol