When people think about gaming today, they probably imagine highly competitive eSports matches or their favorite Twitch streamer. Overwhelmingly, competitive gaming has gone mainstream after decades of being a fringe interest within entertainment.
Thousands of eSports teams compete globally, battling it out in regional events before moving on to the global championships. In the realm of streaming, Twitch giants might draw in tens of thousands of live viewers. This, in turn, allows some Twitch stars to earn way more than their eSports counterparts thanks to lucrative sponsorships and marketing deals.
Clearly, the video game industry is a big-money pursuit between game developers, eSports organizers, live stream channels, and gaming pros. But it would be a mistake to suggest that this is the epitome or apogee of gaming. Despite the non-stop coverage in mainstream media, competitive gaming isn’t the standout star in the industry—instead, it’s all about casual gaming.
A New Type of Gaming Title
Worldwide, there are more casual gamers and casual titles on the market than there are professional gamers and legacy developer titles (think: CS: GO, Valorant, and Dota 2). Instead, the true mainstay of gaming belongs to casual games like match-threes like Candy Crush Saga, racing games like Subway Surfer, puzzle adventures like Monument Valley, and even slots like Sweet Bonanza.
Let’s cover the latter two examples, which highlight the different appeals of casual games. Monument Valley is a visually engaging treat that tasks players with navigating visual puzzles. Each puzzle is mind-boggling, while the game’s visual design is a feast for the eyes. On the other hand, Sweet Bonanza is all about spinning a colorful wheel full of classic fruit symbols. Players wait to see which combinations hit, allowing them a relaxing and engaging gaming session.
But let’s dig a bit deeper into why slots like Sweet Bonanza and visual puzzles like Monument Valley have helped take over the gaming industry.
They’re Inclusive & Accessible
Casual games are popular because they’re usually more inclusive and accessible than eSports titles. First of all, casual games are designed to be easy to learn. Whether or not a gamer has spent time competing before, they should be able to pick up the rules and mechanics easily. Second, casual games can be accessed straight from a mobile device. That means there’s no hefty gaming hardware needed. This has been particularly important for older generations who aren’t interested in purchasing pricey gaming equipment.
They’re Uplifting & Relaxing
Another reason that casual games have taken off is that they aren’t designed to force players to advance quickly and compete. In fact, it’s quite the opposite. Casual games are designed to help players unwind and relax. Rather than include difficult missions and boss battles, casual games are about intrigue, wonder, and (more often than not) some type of narrative to give the game more context and depth. Similarly, most are geared toward positivity. In other words, they aren’t just designed to be lovely and relaxing but to actively provide a fulfilling and encouraging experience.
They’re Small but Mighty
From the outside looking in, it might seem like casual games are designed for low-skill players who simply want to pass the time. But that type of outlook is reductive and doesn’t incorporate the dozens of casual titles that have pushed the envelope and innovated within this gaming category. Unpacking, for example, takes players on a narrative journey that covers three decades of unpacking from house to house. It’s a layered story that’s touching and unique.
They’re Constantly Evolving
As outlined in the example of Unpacking, many casual games push the envelope when it comes to design, gameplay, and goals. This is true thanks to the fact that most casual games are designed for mobile. Mobile games are much easier for developers to tackle, including indie creators. Because of this, there is great variation within the casual game sector—even at a local and regional level. Because they’re easier to create, there are more creators, which has left a positive mark.
