An Analysis on Game CharacterProduct Design Preferences among Kidults for Extending Mobile Game Lifespans

Abstract

Over the recent years, there has been a sudden surge in interest over character-related products among mobile game developers in South Korea as a business strategy to extend mobile game lifespans. However, even with the majority of mobile game players aging around 18~35 and higher, there has been a lack of study regarding design preferences and consumption tendencies of adult players—or kidults—when it comes to character-related products. In this study, three distinctive decision patterns among kidults were identified using an online Q-Sort method: (a) Character Oriented, (b) Item Oriented, and (c) Character-item Oriented. The similarities and differences of these three types are further analyzed to provide insight into important factors that play decisive roles in purchasing decisions made by kidults. The results from this study can aid mobile game developers in establishing reference points for future character business directions.