Casual games have always existed in some form, but the proliferation of smartphones has taken their popularity to an entirely new level. These video games can be played anytime, anywhere, and are easy to pick up and play without learning complicated rules or game mechanics. Where traditional games usually require a significant time investment, casual games can be played in short bursts throughout the day.
This has contributed to their appeal and is a big reason why gaming has become a form of mainstream entertainment. You’ll find everyone from busy professionals to retirees playing casual games to unwind, stay entertained, and even connect with others in a fun way. This article looks at how mobile devices and social media have played a big role in making casual gaming what it is today.
Why Casual Gaming is Popular
If there’s one word that explains better than anything else why popular gaming has become so popular, it’s accessibility. For many gamers, the biggest selling point of these types of games is they can be played on multiple platforms and across devices. If you start a title on your iPhone, you can finish it on your Samsung tablet or Windows computer. It’s easy to learn to play these games, which makes them attractive to people who wouldn’t consider themselves traditional gamers.
You can see this in casino games, one of the most famous gaming genres in the world. Only a few years ago, people had to travel to brick-and-mortar facilities if they wanted to enjoy slots or card and table games. High-speed internet has changed all of that, with online casinos becoming more and more common. Virtual platforms offer an array of slots like the Book of Dead, which is set in Ancient Egypt and follows the adventures of Rich Wilde. This causal game can be played in short sessions, and there’s no steep learning curve to get started. The same is true of games like Candy Crush Saga and Among Us, which are quick, engaging, and easy to pick up and start playing.
How Casual Gaming Shapes Player Habits
Since causal games are designed to be played quickly, when a player picks up one of these titles, they know they’re not committing to it for months on end, although many casual titles are highly replayable, and players end up doing just that. That’s why these games are so good at drawing in non-gamers who might be intimidated by more intense titles. What’s interesting is that once a person starts playing casual games, they often go on to explore more complex titles.
Casual games are designed to be played in brief sessions, and gamers can easily fit them into their day-to-day routine. As most gamers play these games regularly, they become familiar with gaming culture, which often bridges casual and hardcore gaming experiences.
Casual Gaming and Innovation
Because the demand for casual games is so high, developers have focused a good amount of attention on creating new games for this audience. Advancements in mobile gaming technology have made it possible for developers to design intuitive interfaces and optimize these titles for a wide range of devices, all of which improve the user experience.
Casual games are simple by design, and this simplicity aids in producing games that are creative with innovative gameplay mechanics that are engaging and easy to understand. New technologies like augmented reality have experienced some of their greatest successes in casual games; one needs to look no further than Pokémon Go as an example.
Casual Gaming’s Broader Impact
Casual gaming’s impact isn’t limited to those who play these titles; it extends to marketing strategies and even society as a whole. Traditional gaming companies try to incorporate casual elements in their games as a way to attract a wider audience. They know the casual gaming market is lucrative and want their piece of the pie. You’ll also find casual game techniques used in non-traditional spaces, including fitness and education, in the form of gamification.