Why Casual Games Aren’t Just for Casual Gamers
Casual games are described as games that are easy to play, don't need a lot of time and commitment, and can be enjoyed by almost anyone of all ages and skill levels. The earliest appearance of these kinds of games can be traced back to around the early 2000s, when cellphone and mobile gadget manufacturers started including (easy-to-play) games with their devices to help people on the go deal with some free time on their hands.
The start of the mobile gaming industry can also be attributed to these simple device-included games although casual games forked out as a genre of its own. By the mid to late 2000s, games that were simple yet immersive and fun in nature started coming out not only on phones and mobile gadgets but on the PC and internet as well.
Online games like FarmVille, and Angry Birds are good examples of simple, enjoyable, and surprisingly, time-immersive casual games that came out at the time. Games like these attracted gamers from a wide spectrum of gamer types where casual, semi-serious, and even hard-core gamers started playing the games.
To this, let's take a look at some important reasons why casual games are not just for casual gamers.
Casual and accessible does not mean shallow
There is a common misconception that because casual games are easier to access and play (all you need is a smartphone), the games generally lack depth. One however would immediately notice that many of the games are quite immersive and addictive to play.
This is because many of the games have moderately simple to complex game mechanics, strategic elements, and deep progression systems, that are, however, presented in a much more friendlier manner. Casual games usually provide player experiences that are fun and rewarding without overwhelming them and allowing them to enjoy themselves at their own pace.
In casual gaming, the balance between simplicity and depth is what makes these games appeal to a wider audience. This can be experienced first-hand when you play fun online games that are casual in nature.
Casual can also be competitive
Many casual games are designed for solo play but there are also those that provide intense and competitive experiences that keep players interested. What's more, these games usually include features like leaderboards, timed events, and multiplayer challenges that promote competition in the game.
Some games offer daily and/or weekly game challenges giving players new objectives to tackle and compete for, thus encouraging strategic/tactical thinking and skill improvement. That said, one can always go online for the best free casual pc games where one can play solo, compete with others via the highest score, or simply experience a just as intense and rewarding casual game as traditional competitive gaming.
Gaming meditation, casual style
Unlike expansive and highly complex games like combat adventures and RPGs, casual games offer a more simplistic yet meditative and immersive approach to gaming. Focusing on simplicity, intuitive controls, and minimal design, casual games create an experience that feels almost calming rather than overwhelming players with complicated storylines and intricate game mechanics.
A couple of good examples of this are the casual games Mini Metro and Alto’s Adventure. Mini Metro has the player managing the subway system of a major city while requiring focus, puzzle-solving, and strategy, the game's simplistic design and calming soundtrack create a relaxed and immersive atmosphere.
Alto's Adventure on the other hand is a beautifully crafted endless snowboard challenge with fluid gameplay and a stunningly tranquil landscape. The player glides through a serene mountainous winter landscape, smooth animation, and beautiful gentle, and immersive music.
Many casual games like those which are free single-player games online provide this kind of immersive and relaxing experiences to players which is quite a deviation from the much more intense environments experienced in hard-core games.
The diversity of gaming
Playing Candy Crush on your phone while waiting in line and then going hard-core with Dark Souls on your PC when you get home doesn't make you less of a gamer. In today's gaming world, the lines drawn between hard-core and casual gamers are increasingly getting blurred as gamers begin to enjoy both kinds of games.
Also, many casual games today offer a surprising amount of depth, challenge, and engagement, are more accessible, and have game mechanics that can be played and enjoyed at different skill levels. Whether one enjoys a quick rewarding session of casual gaming or the long and tedious challenges of hard-core games, the main point in common is "the love of the game".
