So-called 'core' gamers, online shoppers and those who play games with six or more friends are among the most likely to spend money within Facebook games.

That's according a survey published by social and mobile developer Arkadium, which questioned 1,576 gamers in the US who play titles on the social network about their social spending habits.

Core blimey

Said results suggest that strategy and RPG fans are particularly partial to in-game purchases.

62 percent of strategy gamers and 61 percent of RPG players have purchased some sort of item in a Facebook game – conversion rates that are considerably higher than the average conversion rate of 41 percent.

Indeed, they also compare favourably to more casual genres. For example, Arkadium reports that 46 percent of surveyed 'casino game' players had made at least one in-game purchase.

Spend with friends

Another big spending group are what Arkadium dubs the socially engaged.

Of those who play games with at least six friends, 63 percent have made an in-game purchase, and 33 percent have spent more than $20 in a single Facebook transaction.

It would seem that these social butterflies are more likely to spend in simulation or city-building games, with further examination of individual purchases suggesting they tend towards decorative items and personalisation features.

Shop til you drop

Interestingly, Arkadium concludes that there's a strong correlation between consumers who engage in online shopping and those who spend money within Facebook games.

The survey found that users who spend more than $100 a month when shopping online are also more likely to splash out on the social network – 20 percent spending more than $50 a month in Facebook games. That compares to 11 percent of purchasers overall.

Furthermore, Arkadium reports 23 percent of online shoppers budget at least $20 for Facebook games every month.

Further data from Arkadium's findings is set to be published in the coming weeks, with the studio looking to highlight the features, promotions and store items users are most likely to splash out on.

[source: Arkadium]