What we can learn about customers from the bizarre economics of Pokemon Go
Pokecoins are the in-game currency in Pokemon Go, used to buy gameplay and aesthetic items. Pokecoins can be earned in-game or bought for real-world money. Below is a screenshot of the Pokemon Go Shop. Which of the six options do you think is the most economical?
Instinct says it’s the one on the bottom right: it’s the most expensive, and gets you the most coins. That’s how buying in bulk works in the real world. So, instinctively, that’s the one I’d go for if I wanted the best deal.
But if you look more closely you’ll see that my instinct is wrong.
The most economical option is to spend the smallest amount: less than a dollar.
Rather than writing a post about why this is wrong, let’s assume the creators of Pokemon Go are geniuses. Let’s instead consider why they are right and what we can learn from it.
[Note that the pricing above is Australian. I assume the pattern is the same in other currencies.]
