Episode 52: Exploring the top five trends that dominated 2023
Dec 14, 2023
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Explore the dominant trends in the mobile gaming industry in 2023, including the rise of hybrid casual games and the trend of merge games. Discover the impact of AI-generated content in games and the dominance of IP-based games in the mobile space.
33:55
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Quick takeaways
The popularity of hyper casual games has declined due to the IDFA change, leading to a shift towards hybrid casual games that focus on in-app purchases for monetization.
Merge mechanics have become popular in both casual and midcore games, offering a relaxing gameplay experience and attracting players with additional features and recurring events.
Deep dives
Shift from hyper casual to hybrid casual games
The popularity of hyper casual games has been affected by the IDFA change, which limits the access of advertisers to users' devices. As a result, there has been a shift towards hybrid casual games that rely more on in-app purchases for monetization. An example of this shift is 'My Little Universe,' which combines elements of hyper casual gameplay with in-app purchases, offering players a more in-depth and engaging experience.
Hyper casual games evolving to retain players
Hyper casual games are no longer solely focused on driving downloads, but rather on retaining players within the game. Developers are adding more content and gameplay features to extend the player's engagement. The trend of diversifying content and incorporating elements of narrative and social interactions has contributed to the evolution of hyper casual games. By keeping players engaged and offering a variety of experiences, developers aim to increase retention and user satisfaction.
Merge gaming gaining popularity
Merge games have gained traction in the mobile gaming market. Games like 'Ghosty Parbor' and 'Travel Town' have incorporated narrative elements, recurring events, and additional features to enhance player engagement. Merge mechanics appeal to casual players as they provide a relaxing and enjoyable gameplay experience. Furthermore, merge mechanics have also been integrated into midcore games like 'Top Troops,' adding a new layer of gameplay to attract players.
IP-based mobile games show mixed results
Bringing well-known intellectual properties (IP) to mobile games has had mixed success. While games like 'Monopoly Go' have leveraged the recognition and familiarity of the IP to attract and engage players successfully, console IP-based games have faced challenges in translating their core experiences to mobile. Success lies in fulfilling the core fantasy of the IP while adapting the gameplay to suit the mobile platform. IP-based games must strike a balance between capturing the essence of the IP and delivering a mobile-friendly experience to resonate with players.
Join us as we explore the latest trends, challenges, and innovations in mobile game design.
As 2023 comes to a close, we’ll uncover the latest trends dominating mobile games and driving changes within the industry in this episode. We’ll explore the innovative ways games differentiate themselves in the market and elevate player engagement. And reflect on the standout moments in the mobile gaming industry in 2023.
Join industry experts Teemu Palomäki, Chief Game Analyst, and Inka Reinola, Game Analyst at GameRefinery, a Liftoff Company, as they reflect on the industry’s standout moments and challenges in 2023, including the revival of iconic franchises on mobile platforms, the decline in hypercasual games, and the rise of merge gaming.
Don't forget to subscribe, leave a review, and check out our websites, https://liftoff.io/ and https://gamerefinery.com/, for more information on game development topics.
Farewell for 2023, Mobile Games Playbook
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