Casual game developers and passionate gamers have one thing in common – for both of them, 2017 was a whopping success. For those setting the trends and leading the genres, it meant huge revenue growth. For those delighted by a leisurely and spontaneous approach to gaming, it brought more fun.
Following in the footsteps of King’s Candy Crush Saga, the category stemmed a plethora of addictive excitement that’s just as whimsical and colourful. These are last year’s Colour Switch, Snakes vs Blocks and 2048. Games like Game Pigeon dominated the iMessage market, lifestyle games went cute and female friendly, while simulation games like Township and Hay Day slightly lost their momentum.
But that’s still only the tip of the casual gaming iceberg.
Here’s more about VR delicacies, irresistible online slots, and what the future holds for the market.
- Augmented Reality in All Walks of Life
Who wouldn’t want to take real actions but stay free of real consequences? That was the premise of a long-developing love story between augmented reality and the gaming world, is now steadily reaching its climax. In everyday life, AR is already enhancing our knowledge, enriching our experience with the world, keeping us fit and eliminating our buyer’s remorse. Why wouldn’t it improve our games too?
Augmented reality gives us full control over our surroundings, after all.
AR games are becoming front-runners of the industry, as the experience is now brought to smartphones. With no expensive headsets required, a casual gamer can finally enjoy puzzle games that leverage the user’s location to render brilliantly immersive 3D environments. Games like AMON and ARise are just a few amazing examples. We’ll certainly see more of them in the nearest future.
- Expect to See More Unique and Creative Indie Games
From The Binding of Isaac and Ultimate Chicken Horse to Spelunky and World of Goo, indie games remain the epitome of bite-sized gaming experiences for casual enjoyers. However, the course of this category is defined by a notable shift towards consolidation and more traditional forms of publishing.
As a result, the number of indie games will probably continue to drop in 2018, but those that prevail will have a very strong USP. We’re talking more innovation, creativity and uniqueness, which will be the only viable factors for achieving a positive LTV. For casual indie gamers, less will have to be more.
- Highly Engaging and Fun Online Slots
What do a professional gambler and a casual gamer have in common? The first seeks thrill and strategizes for jackpots, approaching the game in a way that can hardly be described as casual, while the second enjoys his time between classes by crushing candy and solving puzzles on his smartphone.
But they both fancy a good online slot machine; check this article to find out why.
The digital generation of gamblers and gamers is all about online slots, and for a very good reason. Inventive casinos now offer exciting twists with skill-based and comic book online slots, though traditional online slots – empowered with VR and HTML5 – remain just as popular as they always were.
Not only do modern technology and the mobile concept make them accessible on the go via mobile browsers or iOS and Android apps, thus drastically improving the UX, but they also enable developers like Prime Slots to make playing slots easy, and create fun and engaging experiences that take traditional slots to the next level.
Think about fruit machines with reels full of bananas and cherries Sounds juicy or colourful online slots like Starburst and fantasy reels like Merlin’s Millions. There’s even a Jimi Hendrix slot, in case you’d like to merge your passion for games with your love for music. The possibilities are truly endless.
The next evolution of slot games indicates that the magic of slots isn’t necessarily all about winning (or losing) money. In recent years we witness the rise of social slots, especially in the American market where online gambling is illegal. Companies like Slotomania bring free slot games to the mass audience of casual gamers who are indeed just looking for a fun gaming experience, rather than a gambling experience. They put focus on the social aspects of gaming, and thus ushering a new era of Slots for Fun.
- Tons of Exiting Console Peripherals
However convenient, smartphones are still merely a substitution for the real thing, her majesty the console. Today’s consoles and peripheral gaming equipment flourish in two opposite directions, sometimes designed with cutting-edge technology, other times being wonderfully soaked in nostalgia.
Retro is the new state-of-the-art, at least when it comes to the popular culture. Inspired by the immense success of Netflix’s Stranger Things and the likes, Nintendo finally decided to relaunch the original Game Boy. And, that’s only in addition to Nintendo Labo, an awesome build-and-play kit that lets you construct peripherals out of cardboard and then use them to play games on Nintendo Switch.
All things considered, the news from the casual gaming front can hardly be more exciting. The current state of gaming technology hints amazing opportunities that include both VR and AR, with whimsical new games being developed for players of all tastes and preferences. 2018 will be one for the books.
Err Fortnite?
Is it casual though?