Casual Gaming to Hardcore Gaming
Mobile gaming is generating a lot of revenue. In 2020, gaming on smart phones accounted for nearly 50% of video gaming revenue worldwide and, in 2023, revenue is predicted to shoot past the 100 billion dollar mark, according to data from Statista.
Easy access, with games available at people’s fingertips at any time of the day, has contributed to the popularity of gaming, as has the general widespread use of mobile devices. This has generated the materialisation of the “casual gamer”, a gamer who is looking for a way to kill the time, rather than play as a serious enthusiast.
Below is a discussion of casual gamers, hardcore gamers and whether casual gamers evolve into more serious gamers.
What is a casual gamer?
Quite simply, casual gamers are people who play games on the commute to work, in the office or elsewhere as a means to pass the time. They’re looking for light, relaxed gaming. These gamers aren’t looking for a game with a long storyline, they’ll play games which give you a result within a few minutes. Casino games are perfect for casual gamers, the spin of a wheel or the flip of a card decides the outcome quickly, they are also unlikely to play the same game for an extended period, meaning online slots with a range of themes and features are a huge hit.
These gamers aren’t enthusiasts like hardcore gamers are, but they, in fact, one of the reasons why the mobile games market keeps innovating with new games. If the variety of games you can now get on your mobile amazes you, thank these people.
Since casual gamers aren’t seeking anything too heavy from their games, casual games are often simply designed (but no less impressive than more hardcore games). There’s a whole load of different types out there, too:
- Puzzles
- Strategy
- Board games
- Search games
- Simulators (these could be sports, survival, construction, as in “Sim City” type games, or other genres)
- Arcade games and more
Another type of game you may find on your mobile is the slot game. Casino gaming, in general, has become popular in the world of mobile gaming, thanks to the variety providers offer. Some providers attract new players with free spins to attract casual gamers to their site, a common tactic in the industry. The nature of slots makes them an excellent option for anyone who wants to slip in some swift gaming and wants something straightforward to play.
It’s not just in the world of mobile gaming, however, that casinos have become popular. Recognising the popularity of casino gaming, some console video games creators have begun to incorporate casinos or gambling elements into their games. Rockstar Games is one company renowned for this.
Hardcore gamers
Now, hardcore gamers are a different breed when it comes to gaming.
These people live and breathe for video games. They take titles very seriously, keep up to date with all the latest developments in the industry and get frustrated that they don’t have enough “lives” to complete games. A glitch in a game can cause them to panic.
Much to the annoyance perhaps of their friends or family, they may game either on their phone or on their console in social settings, coming across potentially as antisocial. They’re likely to schedule in regular time for games as well. It’s a big part of their life.
These are the people games console manufacturers and game makers seek. The fact that they spend so much of their leisure time games makes them a precious gamer to them. They have immense customer lifetime value. They buy downloads, upgrades and new releases. They invest heavily in the best tech, too, whether that’s a console, PC or even a smart device on which they can play their games across different platforms.
Mobile gamers moving into the world of consoles
Perhaps one of the great joys of gaming is the ability to play across different platforms. You’re not restricted to just one device, which gives you lots of flexibility.
As a result, mobile gaming could be the start of a keener interest in games on the part of casual gamers. The more they play, the more they may prefer to experience the action on a larger screen or a more powerful device.
They may start to want more features, too. Casual games are just a taster of the joy more serious gaming can bring, and with Xbox about to launch the sleek, new Xbox Series S, which is considered perfect for beginner gamers and casual gamers, the world could see a lot of casual gamers getting serious.
Despite the potential move of casual gamers to console gaming, past research in the UK, has found that the smart phone was the preferred gaming device of 42% of the participants in the research. The driver behind this is thought to be the ease of use, as well as the generally advanced capabilities of smart phones, so mobile gaming may well have attracted casual gamers, who are playing to pass the time and also because the games are easy to play.
Game variety is thought to be another driver, as is price. Players can choose from lots of different games, some of these being completely free to play, and never have to spend a dime for their enjoyment.
It seems casual gaming and mobile have done a lot for the gaming market and lent it a real boost, rather than mobile completely replacing the world of console gaming. In fact, casual gaming may eventually lead these gamers to evolve to more dedicated gaming and enjoy a greater experience overall in which they choose to play across different platforms. Manufacturers in the game technology world are working on it.