A Guide to Entering the South Korean Game Market for Global Developers [Series 2] - Korean Gamer Trends and Spending Patterns (Part 1)

Written by Finance Person jhin, 04 February 2025

⏰ Quick Recap

Previously, in [Key Features of the Korean Game Market], we covered:

(1) Market Size and Growth of the Korean Game Industry
(2) Distribution of the Korean Game Market by Platform
(3) Korean Game Market Imports by Country and Game Genre

Now that we understand the market itself, what should we explore next?

To succeed in the Korean market, understanding consumers is just as important as understanding the market landscape.

Who are the gamers we are targeting? What platforms are they familiar with, and what genres do they prefer?

This time, let’s take a deep dive into Korean gamers and their behaviors.

Korean Gamers’ Platform Preferences

The following graph shows responses to the question from Korean gamers:
"Which platform do you primarily use for gaming?"

Among the 10,000 total respondents, 6,293 stated that they play games. Let's take a look at their platform usage rates.

• Mobile gaming (84.6%) was the most popular
• PC gaming (61.0%) followed closely
• Console gaming (24.1%) and Arcade gaming (11.8%) ranked lower

While mobile gaming dominates with 84.6%, the PC gaming sector still boasts a significant 61.0% user base.

Given that mobile and PC gaming account for over 90% of the total market revenue, these two platforms are critical for developers looking to enter the Korean market.

But why do Korean gamers exhibit these platform preferences? To gain a deeper understanding, we will analyze data from the 2023 Korea Game White Paper, examining various perspectives on Korean gamer behavior.

Today, let’s start by looking at how gender influences platform usage among Korean gamers.

(Note: While this analysis is based on statistical data, it may include some subjective interpretations. Please enjoy reading with that in mind! 😁)

Platform Preferences by Gender in Korea

The graph below illustrates the gender distribution of Korean gamers across the top three gaming platforms (mobile, PC, and console).

Key Findings: 🔍

Mobile gaming is more popular among women than men, while PC gaming has a significantly higher proportion of male users.
Meanwhile, console gaming shows a nearly equal gender split, a unique characteristic in the market.

These gender differences in platform usage are the result of a combination of genre preferences and socio-cultural influences.

Let’s explore why these trends exist.

(1) Mobile Gaming: Women Outnumber Men by 9.1%

This can largely be attributed to genre preferences.

Mobile gaming, with its relatively lower hardware capabilities compared to PC and console gaming, has traditionally been dominated by puzzle, casual, and simulation genres.

According to the 2023 Sensor Tower Report, the top mobile game genres among female players globally are:

• Puzzle
• Simulation
• Arcade

These genres are popular among female gamers worldwide, and Korea is no exception.

However, Korea has a unique trait that sets it apart. 😉

*State of Mobile Games preferred by Women 2023 Report

(2) PC Gaming: 25% More Male Players than Female Players

This gap can also be explained by genre preferences. PC games are traditionally dominated by hardcore genres such as:

• RPGs
• Strategy games
• FPS games
• MMORPGs

According to the research, (An Analysis of the Patterns and Preferences on Online Games by Gender and Genres) these genres demand high precision, fast reaction times, and competitive, so-called hardcore gameplay, which tend to appeal more to male gamers.

Additionally, cultural and social factors have also played a role. The PC café culture in Korea took off in the late 1990s, and the majority of early adopters were teenage boys and men in their 20s and 30s. As a result, the PC gaming industry in Korea developed within a male-dominated environment, and this trend continues today.

These trends are also reflected in play frequency.

Among PC gamers (3,840 respondents), those who play at least 4 days a week were:

• Men: 43.1%
• Women: 27.0%

This suggests that male gamers tend to play PC games more frequently and engage with them more deeply.

PC games generally require long-term commitment and competitive engagement, making them more appealing to male gamers.

(3) Similar Male and Female Distribution on Console Platforms (3% Difference)

Looking at genre characteristics, Console platforms are strong in story-driven adventure, action, and simulation games. These characteristics contribute to a more balanced user base, as they do not lean heavily toward a particular gender.

For instance, games like Animal Crossing and The Sims have been particularly popular among female gamers, helping to mitigate the traditionally male-dominated image of console gaming.

A study of 588 female console gamers in Korea found that:

• 62.2% played simulation games
• Story-driven content is a key factor in attracting female gamers

This suggests that console games, especially those with rich storytelling, resonate well with female players.

Conclusion

The gender-based differences in platform preference are not just about numbers—they reflect the unique experiences and genres offered by each platform.

• Mobile gaming is more accessible and feature many casual genres like puzzle and simulation games, leading to a relatively higher female user ratio.
• PC gaming is heavily focused on strategy and competition, leading to a larger male player base.
• Console gaming offers a balanced mix of immersive, heavy gameplay experience and light story-driven games, resulting in a near 50:50 gender split.

While PC gaming is seeing a slight decline, console gaming is growing steadily, thanks to genre diversification.

Additionally, VR gaming is emerging as the next big thing, with Korea likely to experience significant market shifts in the coming years.

Accordingly, game developers and industry professionals must not only understand the unique characteristics of the Korean market but also closely analyze evolving global trends. A strategic approach tailored to the changing market environment will be essential for success.

Next in the Series: Korean Gamers’ Platform Preferences by Age

We’ve examined platform preferences by gender. But did you know that age also plays a crucial role in gaming habits? In the next article, we’ll analyze age-based platform preferences and the reasons behind them.

Don’t miss out on the latest trends in the Korean game market—stay tuned for the next publishing! 📻

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