Bernard Kim, the Match Group CEO, recently revealed at New Street Research's online dating summit that he once spent $50,000 on in-game purchases for a mobile game within a three-month period.
The Contrast Between Gaming Apps and Dating Apps: A Talk by Former Zynga President Kim
According to the story by Business Insider, after being asked to compare a user's lifecycle on a dating app to a mobile game, Kim, formerly the president of the mobile gaming group Zynga, spoke candidly about the contrast between the two.
During the summit, Kim acknowledged that many gaming apps are designed to keep users hooked, often by purchasing in-game items. He was quick, however, to add that gaming often has a finite lifespan.
The Power of Online Dating: Lasting Value Beyond Mobile Games
In contrast to his own statement, Kim recalled the embarrassment he felt looking back at his decision to invest thousands in the mobile game Clash of Clans. He noted that all he had to show for it was a "really amazing wall, which is not cool today."
Nevertheless, Match Group - which owns Tinder, Hinge, and Match.com -does offer its own form of in-app purchases in the form of its $50-per-month Hinge subscription. Kim's comments emphasize the lasting value of online dating.
While mobile gaming may often be an entertaining distraction, the potential for meaningful relationships - those that Kim believes offer "literally endless rewards" - motivates him and other industry leaders to stay in their lane and invest in the success of their dating apps.
Rewards of Finding a Person's Soulmate are Far Superior and Priceless
Given that online dating and mobile gaming both require in-app purchases to get ahead, users must understand the difference between the rewards each offer before shelling out the cash. Kim gave a statement in The Verge, sharing the difference between gamers versus daters.
Although in-game items are a fun way to make progress and level up characters, Kim's experience serves as a reminder that the rewards of finding a person's soulmate are far superior - and priceless.
The CEO's announcement was especially surprising, given his background, which included the role of president of mobile gaming giant Zynga, the organization behind Words With Friends.
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The Cost of Understanding: How Much Is Too Much to Spend on Mobile Games and Online Dating Apps?
Regarding similarities between matchmaking and gaming apps, in-app purchases are offered - such as Hinge's recent launch of their $50-per-month subscription.
But here, Kim noted that although the rewards of succeeding on a gaming app can be present, there's not as much potential in that aspect as when it comes to online dating, as the potential rewards of 'finding the one' are 'literally endless.'
$50,000 may seem like a lot to us. Still, it seems that it is the price people pay to truly understand the differences between mobile games and online dating - not to mention learning the lessons of not splashing tens of thousands of dollars on games people will likely not even remember from a few months down the line.
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