A “whale” in the wild world of gaming is a player who spends shockingly large sums of money on a game, particularly in free-to-play titles laden with microtransactions – not just a big sea creature.
These players don’t just buy a skin or two – they buy all the skins, unlock every character, and throw money at in-game progress like it’s going out of style. While most players might hesitate before spending $5 on a loot box, whales are out here making it rain, often funding a huge chunk of a game’s revenue while making up only a tiny fraction of the player base.
Think of them as the high rollers of the digital casino, the VIPs of virtual worlds, the ones who get all the best toys – sometimes without even needing to grind for them.
Where Did the Term “Whale” Come From?
Actually, the name derives directly from the gaming business. Casinos use “whale” to describe their biggest spenders – the kind of people who drop millions at the tables like it’s pocket change. When mobile and free-to-play games exploded in popularity, the gaming industry adopted the term, because, well… if the shoe fits. Game companies love their whales, rolling out exclusive deals, bonuses, and shiny digital goodies just to keep them hooked – kind of like how casinos comp fancy suites and lobster dinners for their biggest gamblers.
Just How Much Do Whales Spend?
So, how deep do these wallets go? Let’s talk numbers.
According to a 2016 Swrve report (which is still one of the most-cited studies on this topic):
- The top 10% of spenders (aka whales) were responsible for 48% of mobile gaming revenue.
- A typical whale spent around $24.66 per month on in-app purchases.
But those are just the averages. Some whales take spending to ridiculous levels—dropping hundreds, thousands, even tens of thousands of dollars on a single game.
What qualifies as a “whale” varies depending on the game. In some, spending $100 per month is enough to earn the title. In others, you’d need to be dropping $10,000 or more to be considered part of the club.
The Games That Attract the Biggest Whales
Certain games have perfected the art of whale hunting, creating systems that encourage (and reward) big spenders. Here are some of the biggest offenders:
- Genshin Impact – a gacha system that keeps players spending for rare characters and weapons.
- Fortnite – technically just cosmetic, but whales buy every skin, every battle pass, and sometimes entire accounts.
- Mobile Legends: Bang Bang – A MOBA with a massive whale population.
- Clash of Clans – one of the first mobile games to master the whale model.
- FIFA Ultimate Team – players spend fortunes on digital card packs for their dream teams.
- Candy Crush Saga – it looks harmless, but trust us – there are some serious spenders crushing candy.
- Pokémon GO – AR combines big spending with rare Pokémon and goodies
- Star Citizen – this crowdfunded game features some of the largest whales in gaming, with individuals contributing thousands of dollars for virtual ships.
The Impact of Whales on Gaming Economies
Whales aren’t just out here flexing their virtual wallets for fun – they’re propping up entire gaming economies.Their spending bankrolls game developers, sponsors new content, funds updates, and ongoing support for games that may otherwise fall into obscurity.
On the other hand, whales can also drive up prices in the game, making it more difficult for normal players to afford certain items. In the worst case, their spending leads to a pay-to-win system in which the big spenders dominate and free players feel like second-class citizens.
Whales preserve games, but if makers give them too much attention, they run the danger of alienating the rest of the population. The best games find a way to reward spenders without making non-spenders feel like they don’t stand a chance.
In essence, whales play a crucial role in the economy of many modern games, ensuring their ongoing development and maintenance. Their spending helps support the developers and can also subsidize the gameplay of others who don’t spend as much. While whales play an important part in the financial ecology of F2P games, developers must balance the game to ensure that all players, regardless of spending level, have a fair and interesting experience.