Hardcore vs Casual

Dervied from Tony Ventrice of Playdom

http://www.gamasutra.com/view/feature/6143/evolving_the_social_game_finding_.php

6 factors of Hardcore games

1. Difficult controls2. Overwhelming options3. Prerequisite knowledge4. Abstract memorization5. Unclear goals6. Unclear solutions

Difficult Controls

Welcome GTA IV

Convoluted Controls

Weird inexplicit timing

http://www.gtagaming.com/images/gtaiv/controls/ps3_vehicle.jpg

http://www.therimofhell.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/05/zombie-games.jpg

Overwhelming Options

• Master of Orion 2

http://www.spacesector.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2009/08/races_custom.jpg

Prerequisite Gaming Knowledge

• What happens when you pick up a new weapon?

• Why does the block you keep destroying reappear?

• Why doesn’t the door open?• What do you do with the key you found?• Press ‘c’ to crouch

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_vXr_LG9qVWI/S8NVQ83Q-nI/AAAAAAAACUk/Yy9cZu2Eha0/s400/383577_5.jpg

Abstract Memorization

• This refers to anything that is not obvious or intuitive to any person.

‘The Unreal link gun heals your vehicles’‘The stamina bar runs out when you run lots’

http://www.mailorderexpress.com/shop/prdpics/140971.jpg

Unclear Goals

• Figuring out what to do is a task for the hardcore gamer

• Casual gamers would rather know what they are expected to do next

• Implied goals are not good enough for casual gamers (13 / 26 Gems Collected)

http://static.howstuffworks.com/gif/gps-system-wrong-direction-2.jpg

http://games.adultswim.com/robot-unicorn-attack-twitchy-online-game.html

Unclear Solutions

• The Rubik's Cube- The Goal is clear- The solution is ?????

• Sam n Max has many unclear solutions• Hints can be used to help guide greener

players

http://www.mouser.org/log/images/2007/peppered_beef.jpg

http://www.far-q-designs.com/images/P/mensblackdyslexic.jpg

6 factors of Casual Games

1. Challenge2. Trial and Error3. Strategy4. Theme5. Repetition6. Depth / Graduated objectives

Challenge

• Challenge is good, it’s not just hardcore– Players must feel challenged in all games

• Increasing challenge (not changing challenge) is stereotypical of casual games

• Does that make Space Invaders a casual game?

Trial and Error• Puzzles which can be solved this way are

usable by casual players• The Nemesis is NOT a casual game• Did anyone play puzzledonkey?• Keeping risk low promotes trial-and-error

gameplay• Higher risk requires more player investment

Strategy• Strategy Games ARE hardcore– Comprise many complex

strategies• Strategy is actually used in all

games• Naughts and Crosses is played

with different strategies, but there is only one good strategy

• If there is no strategy there is no challenge no fun.

http://gridironexperts.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/FF5.jpg

Theme• This is a little more

abstract....• Theme does NOT make

a game hardcore or casual

• Theme does define the segment of the audience your game will appeal to

http://www.tunariver.com/images/ultimate-nature-theme-pack-all-themes-small.jpg

Repetition

• Casual players enjoy repetition– As long as the challenge is

increasing• Hardcore = more changes,

more frequently• Casual = less changes, less

frequently• Hardcore & Casual =

continual challenge increase

http://tilings.math.uni-bielefeld.de/tilings/Files/faceit.gif

Depth / Graduated Objectives

• In casual games, new challenges should only be introduced as the old challenges cease to be interesting

http://www.whoi.edu/cms/images/currents_hrov_n2_49158.jpg

http://en.wikivisual.com/images/3/36/Bathyscaphe_Trieste.jpg

Warstory:- Silverlight MMO

http://warstory.bigpoint.com/en

Inception.... The Game :-s

• http://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/30545/Inception_Director_Nolan_Looking_At_Spinoff_Video_Game.php

The End