Player evaluation platform GameAnalytics’ latest video games article means that there are a variety of key components in making a profitable hybrid-casual title.

Given the quantity of competitors within the present hypercasual market, Chay Hunter, EVP of selling at GameAnalytics states that “quick, easy and satisfying” gameplay and meta-features needs to be mixed for an optimum hybrid-casual expertise.

Maintaining an viewers

The hypercasual cellular style has grown massively in recent times, accounting for 27 % of worldwide cellular downloads in 2021 at a 32 % year-over-year enhance.

Thus with rising competitors within the style, Hunter advises that video games ought to characteristic development programs or collectables to retain extra gamers, thereby shifting from hypercasual to the brand new style of hybrid-casual.

One such development system can be together with RPG-style mechanics like lessons and level-ups to influence the gameplay loop, and one other can be incorporating “every day or weekly rewards for finishing a set of quests”, Hunter provides.

The GameAnalytics article additionally discusses the worth of a sport economic system, customisation, sport lore and interesting to completionists with in-game collectables and achievements. In the case of customisation, the looks of an avatar, object, residence or metropolis could be monetised or unlocked by means of the gameplay.

The power of a narrative

“Competition drives engagement,” says Hunter. He means that together with social parts in a sport, similar to chatting, guilds, leaderboards or perhaps a pals listing, can enhance the aggressive drive of gamers and thereby elevate a sport’s engagement. A system that allows customers to ask pals to play might additionally assist to develop its viewers.

Sensor Tower reported that in March 2022, hypercasual title Merge Master was probably the most downloaded sport on the App Store and Google Play with 28.3 million installs mixed.

But Hunter notes that developments are shifting, shifting away from hypercasual and in the direction of hybrid-casual, the place retention is particularly necessary. Compelling characters with sturdy motivations and conflicts to beat are highly effective instruments in a sport, he highlights, with a story being “arguably the one most influential characteristic that may maintain gamers coming again”.

Last yr, Tenjin partnered with GameAnalytics to launch Growth Fullstack, providing developer instruments and coaching assets associated to knowledge and analytics. Hunter’s six proposed components in making a profitable hybrid-casual sport, in the meantime, are additional explored on GameAnalytics’ website.