Social gamers spending less, but more converting to paying players

Social gamers are becoming more comfortable with their surroundings, but that doesn't necessarily mean they spend more in play.

That's the finding of the latest monthly report delivered by SuperData, which claims the average paying social gamer in the US spent $37.59 in April.

That's down $8 from the $45.58 each one on average parted with at the same point in 2011.

Up and down

Despite this decline, however, overall conversion rates into paying players have risen, with 2.5 percent spending in game.

That's up from 1.4 percent a year previously.

"Mid-core social games are clearly driving the current momentum," said VP of research Janelle Benjamin.

"This emerging genre represents a different gaming demographic that spends substantially more."

A place to play

SuperData also notes a switch in the types of social games players are willing to spend in.

Farming games are on the decline, the firm reports, while strategy and combat games yield more than three times as much from paying users.

Region by region, the firm predicts North America will generate $1.8 billion in 2012, ahead of Europe on $1.4 billion.