Casual Game

Casual Games (English Casual ) is a buzz word for a simple electronic games, which are characterized by a particularly easy accessibility, intuitive input methods, the cooperative gameplay and rapid results. The games are intended primarily to people who are looking for an exciting entertainment without lengthy learning phase. Thematically, it is for example, reactions known thought and card games as well as logic games ( 'match 3'). In addition there are also simple action games and licensed games to well-known TV shows such as Millionaire, The Quiz with Jörg Pilawa or Deal or No Deal.

" Casual games " often place low demands on the hardware. They are thus not limited to powerful " computer games ", but can be easily ported to mobile devices such as mobile phones or PDAs. Currently they are also becoming more widespread on stationary and mobile gaming consoles. This also corresponds to the Games need of the target group ( from 40 years old, mostly female) after an entertaining entertainment without a long learning phase. Both the needs and the demographics of this target group thus differ significantly from the "traditional" computer players (mostly male, under 30 years old ) looking for the deep immersion (immersion) in realistic game worlds.

Marketing and Sales

The sales of these games is usually on the Web or supplier of mobile phone applications, since 2006 but also strong in traditional retail (eg the IMAGE series). In addition to free promotional games such as Moorhuhn become increasingly commercial games in importance. The latter are usually placed on the market with a free but limited functional demo versions. The prices of the games range between 5 and 20 euros. The relatively low price should be offset by the longevity of the games. For while the more expensive equipment manufactured and sold with major marketing effort "big" computer games achieve the main sales only within a few months, to casual games can sell through appropriate portals for years to come without incurring significant additional marketing costs.

Especially popular is the inclusion of casual games in the supply of major Internet service providers. These can thus offer its users a wide range of games without having to have this developed even need. Basis of this cooperation are mostly so-called affiliate systems.

A study of INTENIUM and RealNetworks has the gaming habits of women over age 40 who play casual games examined in August 2006:

  • 67 percent of women play at least four times a week casual games
  • About half (47 percent) plays every day
  • About 60 percent said they would rather play casual games than making a call to knit or do other things at home such as crafts or painting
  • About 50 percent said they would rather play than go to the movies or cook casual games

Men and women over 18 years of playing casual games for the following reasons:

  • 64 percent play for relaxation
  • 53 percent for coping with stress
  • 42 percent to train their memory
  • From the users with children see 75 percent by casual games a pedagogical value in the education of their children

Another study by the Faculty of Psychology, University of Hamburg: Based on an experiment, the scientists want to have determined that the use of entertainment media and especially playing on the computer boosts productivity and enhances mental performance. Using the example of computer games, the scientists were able to show that games used in everyday life of self-regulation and the balance between tension and relaxation or variety and routine restores.

Portals

There are numerous gaming portals which specialize in the distribution of casual games, including Yahoo Games, MSN Games, AOL Games, GameDuell or Skill7.com. Meanwhile, you can identify games at Internet service providers, newspapers, magazines and TV stations such as found in image RTLSpiele, ProSieben Games and Sat1Spiele. Also download portals offer casual games like for example in games load.

Games Magazine

Only a few German -language gaming magazines currently exist that have focused on news and game reviews for casual games. One of them is gaming magazine CasualMania.de which also provides counselors and both children up to 12 years and casual gamers called as a target group. In the English-speaking world, it looks like there is about Casualgames.biz appreciably. Full on family entertainment uses Videospielplatz.de.

In addition to game magazines named above there are also some, a few casual games networks, which provide the seeker from a broad, open-access offer games available. These networks are often, as already described above, designed for affiliate base and therefore normally waive any other advertising.

Successful representatives

The number of casual games available on the market is virtually unmanageable. Well-known games include grouse of what became known with this game phenomedia publishing GmbH. Other examples include Angry Birds, Bejeweled, Zuma Deluxe, or Diner Dash. Especially TV stations use the services of casual games developers also to be developed licensed games to television shows such as Freemantle / RTL with "American Idol " or " Germany seeks the superstar ".

Distinct from previous games

In terms of simple game principle, the most classic arcade games and computer games could be from today's perspective, like Pac -Man, Centipede and Tetris called casual games. At the time of their appearance but they are aimed at a very technology - savvy target group and play, which today corresponds to that of the hardcore gamers. First casual game which is included with Microsoft Windows 3.x Patience game " Solitaire " is often considered.

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