Development of Casual Games
Casual Games For Soothing Relaxation
What Are Casual Games?
Casual games are any game that puts less focus on competitive pressure, high skill demand, or other tasks that require significant effort to play.
For video games, the term is relatively new and answers a demand for games that aren’t second jobs or tests of major cognitive/reaction ability. Even if everyone agrees that games should be fun, the definition of fun is different for everyone.
The casual games serve a market that was relatively ignored until mobile (Android and IOS) technology entered the gaming world. Mobile gaming allowed a lower playing cost than purchasing a gaming computer or video game console.
Here are a few details to help you understand casual games development, non-casual game development, and casual profitability. Developers such as GazitIT can help you once you’ve joined an idea with a possible business plan.
What Isn’t A Casual Game?
To understand the appeal of casual games, you need to understand popular gaming sales history.
To make money in the gaming industry, you need to think about sales per year and the ability to make all of your money back—and then some. Hoping that your game becomes the best-selling in history like Tetris may not net survivable money right away—or not even during your lifetime.
Instead, think about the franchises that make consistent money. Nintendo’s Mario franchise, Pokémon, Grand Theft Auto, Call of Duty, FIFA, Final Fantasy, and Warcraft are just a few powerhouses that have taken the world by storm.
In all of these games, skill plays a factor. You may need to jump, flip, swim, or deal with other in-game physics to complete a goal. User interaction may be based on having good aim or hand-eye coordination, or you may need to be better than real life players across the internet.
The major deciding factor between casual and non-casual is loosely defined. While anything can turn into a competition, a native casual game shouldn’t block enjoyment by requiring competitive skill.
While one could argue that any game requires some manner of skill, even if it’s knowing the difference between red or blue. The difference is that for many games, aggressive, competitive behavior and obsession over getting better is the norm rather than the exception.
Can Casual Games Be Profitable?
If you want to make a casual game for artistic expression, there are many developers who can turn your idea into a work of art. If you want to profit from that game, you need a good business model with efficient game development.
The world of microtransactions came from competitive games, but from a casual standpoint. In many Japanese online games of the mid-2000’s, in-game stores called cash shops allowed players to buy equipment, in-game money (gold, zenny, gil, etc), and other advantages with real money.
Cash shop development took money away from illegal real money companies that happened in the late 1990’s and early 2000’s. That business model helped boost casual games development and is an easy way to pay for a casual, simple game.
First, think about the Android and IOS games on the market.
- Puzzle games. Whether you’re matching colors or navigating through a maze, these games usually have a max number of attempts per day or per session. Players can pay for more attempts before game over, hints, or special moves to solve the puzzle.
- Platformers. The goal is usually to get from the beginning to end through in-game physics, and a player may have consumable lives or attempts. Cash shops may sell extra lives, special stages, or unlock characters that travel differently.
- City builders. City building games and simulation games often have costs for building materials, equipment, urban development, and city upkeep. Players can buy materials or money to keep their city running, or to buy special buildings or businesses to make the city flourish.
- Social apps. Many social apps feature avatars that have special clothing, hair, and other cosmetic items. User interaction is about chatting as well as looking cute, fabulous, cool, or unique. While not always part of the native game mode, these visual chat systems may have casual and competitive games within the app.
Your casual game could sell more attempts, solutions to certain problems, or unlock new stages or experiences. For continuous income, you could release new content for free while offering the same paid solutions or extra attempts.
There are so many ways to create a casual game that both soothes your fans while bringing in profit. Contact Android and IOS development professionals at GazitIT to discuss more options.