The appeal of casual gaming explained

From Candy Crush Saga to Angry Birds, casual games have left an indelible mark on the gaming industry. Opening the Android PlayStore or Apple Store reveals thousands of titles with something for just about every taste. It’s easy to pick these games up and play them while traveling or during a break at work, making them attractive in a way platformer games are not.

Simplicity

Casual games are easy to learn and play, driving their popularity. These games don’t have any complicated rules to learn, so it’s easy to download them to a mobile device and get started. Once you get started, it’s easy to progress through the game. Since so many of these games are highly entertaining, they have great replay value.

Engagement

If you’ve played Pokémon Go, you’d probably agree it’s a game that keeps you engaged from the outset and wanting to come back for more. When you play a casual game, you’ll find that you’re repeating the same tasks and going through the same scenarios repeatedly. 

All of this repetition makes it easy for new players to get the hang of these games quickly and feel like they’re making progress almost immediately. If you’ve ever played a game like Temple Run, you’ve experienced how effective this type of game is at keeping you playing over and over again. 

A Sense of accomplishment

When you’re short on time, you don’t have time to explore an open-world game like Red Dead Redemption 2 or God of War. Instead, many gamers choose a match in a battle royale game like Fortnite or a fast mobile card game like Marvel Snap.

While there’s some debate about whether Fortnite is truly a casual game, the experience of completing a game in a few minutes versus several weeks or months is something that attracts many gamers to this genre. 

As you play casual games, you experience winning from the very start, which generates positive emotions and a desire to keep playing. If you happen to lose, you can restart the game, knowing it won’t be impossible to get past the part that tripped you up. 

Mobile devices

Smartphones and tablets have driven the popularity of mobile gaming more than almost any other technological innovation of the past two decades. Mobile devices opened the world of gaming to people who’d never considered purchasing a gaming PC or console. 

Gaming on mobile devices allows people access to their favorite titles wherever they happen to be in the world. The statistics speak for themselves, with mobile gaming dominating video game sales in recent years. 

Budget-friendly

While you may want to invest in a gaming setup for your home if you aspire to compete in esports, the nice thing about casual gaming is it’s not an immediate requirement. In fact, you can get started with casual games without spending a dime. 

Many of the most popular titles are free or free-to-play, allowing you to spend money for upgrades and an edge on the competition. These low-budget games are available to anyone with a mobile device and internet connection, making them much more accessible than platform games.

Gameplay

When we talk about gameplay, we’re talking about the player’s experience within the game. Gameplay can encompass many things, including the game’s rules, mechanics, and pot. Casual games are all about having fun, and that’s why they attract all types of gamers. Whether you enjoy casino games or puzzle games, there’s something for just about everyone.

If you look at the most popular casual game titles, they all have an element in their gameplay that keeps people coming back for more. It’s not about complex or expansive gameplay; it’s about building a connection with players that allows them to enjoy the experience. 

Whether a farm simulation game or a match-3 puzzle game, the gameplay is seamless, letting players connect without much effort or stress.