Virtual Economy During Oshogatsu (Japanese New Year) In Ameba Pigg

In Japan, New Year’s Eve and the New Year holidays are the biggest events of the year, and it is similar in virtual worlds. CygerAgent‘s virtual world “Ameba Pigg [J]” sold a lot of virtual goods on the end of the year and the beginning of the year. The Japanese eat “Toshikoshi-soba” on New Year’s… Continue reading Virtual Economy During Oshogatsu (Japanese New Year) In Ameba Pigg

Social Gaming Platform Mobage-town Gets Monthly Price Plan For Virtual Items

Earlier this week, Japanese mobile social gaming juggernaut DeNA added a new pricing plan to its super-popular Mobage-town platform (which currently boasts 22 million users): users can now pay for virtual items through a monthly pricing plan. This first so-called Premium Course on Mobage consists of two offerings, one for the hit game “Kaitou Royale”,… Continue reading Social Gaming Platform Mobage-town Gets Monthly Price Plan For Virtual Items

Japan’s Mobile Web Market Now Worth $17 billion. Virtual Items: $500 million.

Japan’s Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications published an interesting report [PDF] about the country’s market for mobile content and services this week. According to the ministry, that market grew by 12% to hit 1.52 trillion yen ($17.3 billion) last year, including mobile advertising. The $17.3 billion breaks down into mobile commerce, which was worth… Continue reading Japan’s Mobile Web Market Now Worth $17 billion. Virtual Items: $500 million.