Hyper-casual games are more than just a fad. It has proven to be a successful and profitable strategy for many mobile game developers. It has also become among the most widely downloaded gaming niches in the past years, resulting in the broadest audience reach. In the UK and the US, as much as 41% and 49% of mobile gamers download hyper-casual games, respectively. As a result, many developers choose to monetize their games through in-app advertisements. Before any developer can do that, though, they have to make sure that they have the right type of hyper-casual game mechanics to stand out among the sea of similar games.
Best Hyper-Casual Game Mechanics
One of the first things to keep in mind when developing your hyper-casual game is to make sure it has these three elements—it should be simple, short, and satisfying. Making the gameplay too complicated can lead to player frustration and game abandonment. Here are some of the best hyper-casual game mechanics:
1. Timing
Hyper-casual games using timing mechanics are all about testing the player’s precision. The mechanism relies on the exact timing to achieve the goal. Games using timing mechanics would only award the maximum score to players who can achieve perfect timing. Players will need to wait for the ideal “timing” to execute a move. Missing that window of opportunity may mean waiting again for the right moment.
While the gameplay can appear too simplistic, it’s hard to develop because balance is critical. If a game is too difficult (i.e., with confusing visual cues or distractions), players will not download and play it. However, giving them something too easy will cause them to get bored quickly.
2. Puzzle
Hyper-casual puzzle games use the same idea behind the traditional puzzle games. The goal is to make the players think logically. Once players solve the puzzle, that’s the only time they can clear the level and move up to the next round. Compared with a typical puzzle genre, hyper-casual puzzle games are more about simplicity. Game types using puzzle mechanics can range from moving blocks, solving a mystery, or adding numbers. In most cases, the puzzle’s complexity grows depending on the player’s activities.
Additionally, hyper-casual puzzle games do not necessarily have an end goal. Unlike chess, these hyper-casual puzzle games can be played for as long as the player wants.
3. Stacking
Stacking hyper-casual game mechanics are distinct for having a game feature where objects drop from the sky. Players can be successful if they can correctly stack the moving items as they land on top of each other. There may be cases when players can adjust the objects to stack vertically or horizontally. It also employs using timing to make sure that things fall perfectly on the stack.
4. Swerving
Hyper-casual games using the swerving mechanics involve controlling the object movement by swiping or swiping the fingers across the screen. The most common gameplays would include driving, running, and jumping, which requires them to gain a mastery of swerving to prevent crashing or hitting any other objects.
Swerving mechanics are quite popular because it gives players the satisfaction of mastering the game and achieving a winning streak.
