Android developers, stop making casual games

http://blog.mixrank.com/android-developers-stop-making-casual-games/

by fearless • 13 years ago

20 12 13 years ago

blog.mixrank.com

lucb1e2• 13 years ago

As far as I know "casual games" are games that are very easy and very rewarding, thus great for pretty much everyone that just wants to pass some time (a huge audience obviously). This article somehow manages to use "casual games" as separate category besides, say, "Cards & Casino". What's the difference? Almost all games I've tried from the Play Store are casual games, even all racing and almost all arcade games, and I gave up on mobile gaming because of that.

will_work4tears• 13 years ago

Totally agree. I'm entirely a casual game player and I exclusively play card and casino games. I'd play strategy and MMO type games if I had time, but a quick poker game or even solitare takes a few minutes. MMO and strategy is a huge commitment.

braco_alva• 13 years ago

I think they're just referring to the subcategory in the Play Store, but yeah, almost any mobile game could be labeled as Casual.

jjsz2• 13 years ago

Well, almost: Final Fantasy III, Final Fantasy IV, Chaos Rings, Chaos Rings II, Chaos Rings Ω, Ingress, Grand Theft Auto III and Grand Theft Auto: Vice Cities wouldn't be 'casual'.

Then there's also: SMS, N, SG, SD, NES, SNES, N64, GB, GBA, DS, PSX, GC, Wii and PSV emulators that contain 'non casual' games.

lucb1e2• 13 years ago

Oh there is a category! I never noticed - ok that explains.

feifan• 13 years ago

It's not really about being in the charts, or even downloads, unless developers can make money from them. Unfortunately, there is more piracy on Android; ads can only bring in so much and break the experience of a game. Also, given the wide range in device performance, specs, and software, you really have to wonder if it's worth the time and money investment.

lnanek2• 13 years ago

Yeah, but they are so much easier/cheaper to write and produce. 2D is par for the course for casual. Action and adventure much less so.

sli• 13 years ago

Since when? Action/adventure hasn't left the 2D realm at all.

dsugarman• 13 years ago

If this wasn't about mobile you would have almost definitely included more categories, which is the immediate problem with mobile.

the current game atmosphere really makes me sick. I don't know what it is about a casual game on a freemium model that is built to annoy you into reaching into your wallet that is so appealing to everyone.

You used to (and still do off mobile) buy a game in full and enjoy its lifetime value. I think mobile could be a great spot for more managerial type games, I used to love being the GM in many games

Android developers, stop making casual games

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