Game math
First-purchase double bonus: when it is worth it
The first-purchase bonus is a one-time discount dressed up as extra currency. Price it like a discount and the choice becomes simple.
Most mobile games double the units on your first purchase of each pack size, or grant a large one-time bonus. The banner makes it look like free value. It is better understood as a one-time discount that applies to exactly one purchase.
Because it does not repeat, the right question is not “is the bonus pack good?” but “is the bonus pack better than the best repeatable offer for the same money?”
Turn the bonus into a discount
If a pack gives 1,000 units for $10 and the first purchase adds another 1,000, you receive 2,000 units for $10. That is the same as a 50% discount on the unit price, applied once.
Write the effective cost per 100 units with and without the bonus. The difference is the value of the one-time bonus. If a reseller is already 30% cheaper on every purchase, the first-purchase bonus only wins if its one-time discount beats 30%.
Use it on the pack you will actually keep buying
The bonus scales with the pack, so applying it to the largest pack usually extracts the most absolute value. But only if you were going to buy that pack anyway. A bonus on a pack you do not need is still money spent.
If you buy several packs over time, apply the bonus once and compare every later purchase on the repeatable price. The calculator applies the bonus once, not per pack.
When to skip the bonus entirely
Skip it when the bonus pack costs more in total than the units you need, or when the same units are available from an authorized reseller at a lower repeatable price and you do not plan to buy again.
Also skip it when you cannot confirm the bonus is still active for your account. A stale banner is common; the in-game purchase screen is the only reliable source.
Frequently asked questions
Does the first-purchase bonus reset every year?
It depends on the game. Some reset annually or with a major version; most do not reset at all. Check the current in-game store announcement rather than assuming.
Should I buy the biggest pack to maximise the bonus?
Only if you need the units. The bonus is proportional, so the largest pack does give the largest absolute bonus, but spending more than you planned is not a saving.
Can I combine a reseller discount with the first-purchase bonus?
Sometimes. The bonus is usually attached to the in-game store, while resellers sell the base pack. Compare the rows in the calculator; the ranking already includes both cases.