"Up to $3,523 Spent on Brawl Stars": Why This Game Is Hooking Teenagers
With over 73 million active players, Brawl Stars reigns supreme on teenagers’ smartphones around the globe. But behind this phenomenal success lies a darker truth: an explosive mix of addictive mechanics that is raising serious concerns among healthcare professionals.
In the hallways of specialized clinics, one name keeps coming up in conversations with teenagers: Brawl Stars. This colorful, fast-paced mobile game is as fascinating as it is worrying. Beneath its cheerful surface, it mirrors our current digital habits, where endless competition and instant rewards reshape the very boundaries of entertainment.
Image credit: Supercell
Brawl Stars, a game designed to hook teens
Dr. Olivier Phan, a child psychiatrist specializing in addiction at the Fondation Santé des Étudiants de France clinic in Sceaux, is sounding the alarm. In his department, Brawl Stars accounts for the majority of consultations related to video game addiction among young patients, as he explained in an interview with France Info.
This alarming trend is explained by the very nature of the game: mobile-only, fully online, and built on constant competition. A formula that proves especially effective at capturing the attention of younger players. “Before the era of multiplayer games, we had almost no patients. But since World of Warcraft, League of Legends, Fortnite, and now Brawl Stars, everything has changed,” he told France Info.
According to the specialist, Brawl Stars brings together all the ingredients of a sophisticated addictive trap:
- The customizable avatar system: the famous “brawlers” allow teens to build a rewarding virtual identity
- Total accessibility: available only on smartphones, the game follows players everywhere—even into the schoolyard
- Ultra-short but endless matches: the “battle royale” format encourages compulsive repetition
- Constant renewal: frequent updates keep engagement high
- The “free-to-play” trap: free on the surface, but packed with ever-present in-app purchases
When “free” ends up costing thousands
The economic side of the game reveals the scale of the issue. While it presents itself as a free-to-play, microtransactions are at its core. Premium passes, exclusive skins, or gem packs—the options are endless.
For some teenagers, the bill can be staggering: “Some of my patients have spent up to €3,000 ($3,523) on their Brawl Stars account”, warns Olivier Phan. This ruthless business model even drives parents to remove their bank cards to avoid more surprise expenses. It raises questions about the transparency of a game marketed as free, yet generating more than $60 million a month.
How to spot and prevent addiction?
In his clinic, Olivier Phan sees young people capable of playing six hours a day, sometimes at the expense of family or school life. For parents, certain warning signs should not be ignored:
- declining academic performance,
- frequent absences from school,
- refusal to join family meals,
- abandoning outdoor activities in favor of screens.
Dr. Phan’s advice, shared with France Info, favors a pragmatic approach: do not hesitate to temporarily confiscate the smartphone, encourage group games on a single screen, and above all, lead by example as parents. As he points out, it’s hard to preach digital moderation while endlessly “scrolling” yourself.
This analysis shows that behind seemingly harmless entertainment lies a highly effective business machine, turning leisure into both a financial and behavioral trap for an entire connected generation.
