Comments on: Casual games are getting harder http://www.heimburg.com/blog/2007/08/23/casual-games-are-getting-harder/ A developer's perspective on development Thu, 28 Aug 2008 11:14:51 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.2.1 By: Marvin Gouw http://www.heimburg.com/blog/2007/08/23/casual-games-are-getting-harder/#comment-278 Marvin Gouw Mon, 27 Aug 2007 19:51:32 +0000 http://www.heimburg.com/blog/2007/08/23/casual-games-are-getting-harder/#comment-278 I think that different games lend themselves better to different levels of challenge. When trying to decide on how challenging to make a game, I think there are a few things to consider. 1) The genre of the game (certain challenge levels grab more audiences for different types of games. For example, a casual space shooter game will probably be more appealing their less casual audience if it were more challenging) 2) Maturity of that genre (currently, what level of difficulty appeals to them most?) 3) The game itself (this is where you're trying to differentiate yourself. A genre game usually has a twist that the developers think will help it sell. This will modify the challenge level to what makes this twist most fun.) Casual games are generally less challenging than normal games, but the question really is, how much less? And it's probably different from genre to genre. I think that different games lend themselves better to different levels of challenge. When trying to decide on how challenging to make a game, I think there are a few things to consider.
1) The genre of the game (certain challenge levels grab more audiences for different types of games. For example, a casual space shooter game will probably be more appealing their less casual audience if it were more challenging)
2) Maturity of that genre (currently, what level of difficulty appeals to them most?)
3) The game itself (this is where you’re trying to differentiate yourself. A genre game usually has a twist that the developers think will help it sell. This will modify the challenge level to what makes this twist most fun.)

Casual games are generally less challenging than normal games, but the question really is, how much less? And it’s probably different from genre to genre.

]]> By: Nikos Beck http://www.heimburg.com/blog/2007/08/23/casual-games-are-getting-harder/#comment-273 Nikos Beck Fri, 24 Aug 2007 19:33:49 +0000 http://www.heimburg.com/blog/2007/08/23/casual-games-are-getting-harder/#comment-273 Rioka, how hard is "Hard"? If a player does extremely well in the first level, which is, necessarrily very easy, then subsequent levels can be ramped up in difficulty. For example, a game of Checkers might have a hundred difficulty levlels with the AI being set based on the players previous performance. A player might pick "Easy" because they have no idea how to play the game yet and find it's too easy. The player might pick "Hard" because they have confidence in their skills only to find the game impossible to beat. Rioka, how hard is “Hard”? If a player does extremely well in the first level, which is, necessarrily very easy, then subsequent levels can be ramped up in difficulty. For example, a game of Checkers might have a hundred difficulty levlels with the AI being set based on the players previous performance.

A player might pick “Easy” because they have no idea how to play the game yet and find it’s too easy. The player might pick “Hard” because they have confidence in their skills only to find the game impossible to beat.

]]> By: rioka http://www.heimburg.com/blog/2007/08/23/casual-games-are-getting-harder/#comment-272 rioka Thu, 23 Aug 2007 14:13:14 +0000 http://www.heimburg.com/blog/2007/08/23/casual-games-are-getting-harder/#comment-272 Instead of making things harder, they should start dividing plays into Easy, Medium, Hard, and if the developer chooses - Insane - difficulties. That way, newcomers will not be frustrated with hard controls and seasoned casual gamers will not be bored with easy plays. Instead of making things harder, they should start dividing plays into Easy, Medium, Hard, and if the developer chooses - Insane - difficulties. That way, newcomers will not be frustrated with hard controls and seasoned casual gamers will not be bored with easy plays.

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