Dave Rohrl, founding father of Seen Leisure, and unbiased video games design advisor Steve Meretzky introduced their annual abstract of 2021’s most impactful traits and developments in F2P video games.
Meretzky opened with remarks on how the post-IDFA panorama and mass of large-scale acquisitions has been joined with the slowing of adjusting traits, which is typical of a maturing trade, however the pair determined to deal with completely different traits.
The proliferation of merge video games was appropriately predicted by Rohrl in 2020, and the style/mechanic has since develop into some of the fashionable parts of cellular video games: it’s unbelievable simple to study, relevant with numerous themes, and may be aligned to participant urges, each to create and destroy.
Sometimes, the segmentation of core and meta recreation loops – whether or not they happen on the identical taking part in subject or individually – is dictated by genres, however the merge mechanic/style permits for core and meta video games to exist on each one- and cut up worlds. Nevertheless, there’s a definitive sample of profitability for merge video games: one-world is much extra worthwhile than cut up worlds, with Merge Dragons remaining essentially the most worthwhile merge recreation. However Meretzky ends with one thing of a staple truism: “A very powerful lesson is innovate, don’t renovate.”
Merge insanity
Shifting away from merge, Rohrl began with discussing the methods wherein Supercell has introduced genres to cellular, with Conflict Mini, its most up-to-date recreation after a number of years with out releasing a brand new title, its tackle autochess, a style which has discovered recognition amongst audiences and streaming however not discovered its breakaway monetary success.
Nevertheless, Rohrl particulars how Supercell’s cellular experience has subtly modified its method, together with requiring gamers to design their group from a private assortment forward of battles, paired with a finely tuned quest system. That is mixed with a smaller playfield and streamlined battle system – 15 seconds of setup, 30 seconds of battle – in comparison with most PC-based autochess video games with bouts that final a number of minutes.
Nevertheless, Conflict Mini’s early launch struggled with retaining gamers and monetisation charges. But it surely wants to enhance to be a sustainable mid-core flagship title. Regardless of efficiently making the style approachable, the challenges with monetisation throughout the style persists: “It’s too early to inform if Supercell will flip this into a world billion-dollar enterprise. But when anybody can, it’s Supercell.”
Advert blocker
Meretzky appropriately predicted in a earlier F2P GDC roundup how cellular video games promoting will develop into growing deceptive and manipulative, expressing concern over the latest development of deceptive mechanics and narrative for video games comparable to Merge Mansion. Nevertheless, most concerningly, there is a rise in cellular video games advertisements that instantly mislead gamers – claims of accelerating IQ or stopping Alzheimer’s.
Is there a method ahead? Meretzky is sceptical, and said: “The true energy to struggle this lies with the Googles and Apples and Facebooks of the world. And there may be little inclination to take action.” He confirmed a slide with classes learnt during the last couple of years. It had one bulletpoint: none.
Apex predator
Rohrl concludes with a dialogue of Apex Legends Cell, which has skilled a robust gentle launch, however has not been launched for lengthy sufficient to supply definitive knowledge. However it’s indicative of how triple-A titles and franchises are reaching the cellular viewers, which is often regarded as represented by informal video games comparable to Sweet Crush and Recreation of Battle.
“Why spend the massive quantities of cash or effort to convey Apex Legends to cellular, and never the opposite method spherical?” That is exacerbated by trying on the US prime grossing video games of February 2022, the place solely 4 of the highest 24 are tied to giant franchises.
Nevertheless, when trying in China, Brazil, and India, there’s a completely different sample: occupying four-five of the highest 10 grossing cellular video games. Rohrl speculates that is as a result of lack of PC and console market penetration in areas outdoors of the developed world and a youthful participant base that’s accustomed to gaming on cell phones.
