Where are hybridcasual games going?
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The good folks at Naavik have written a deeply insightful piece on The Evolution of Hybridcasual. If you are interesting in the business of gaming, I strongly encourage you to follow their newsletter.
One thing I strongly agree with:
The article correctly points out that hybridcasual games are a natural evolution of the hypercasual genre. Hypercasual games are known for their simple gameplay and addictive hooks, but they can be difficult to monetize. Hybridcasual games combine the best of both worlds, offering simple gameplay with deeper progression systems and monetization opportunities.
One thing I slightly disagree with:
The article suggests that Unity's new pricing scheme could pose a challenge to hybridcasual developers. While it's true that the new pricing scheme could make it more expensive to develop and launch hybridcasual games, I believe that the long-term benefits of the new scheme will outweigh the costs. Unity is making a significant investment in the hybridcasual market, and I expect that this investment will pay off in the form of increased support and features for hybridcasual developers.
However, I am concerned that the new pricing scheme could disproportionately impact smaller hybridcasual developers. Smaller developers may not have the resources to absorb the increased costs of development and launch. This could lead to a consolidation of the hybridcasual market, with a few large developers dominating the space.
Here are some additional thoughts on hybridcasual as a genre:
Hybridcasual games are well-suited for mass-market audiences. They offer simple gameplay that is easy to learn and pick up, but they also have enough depth to keep players engaged for longer periods of time.
Hybridcasual games can be a lucrative market for developers. The best hybridcasual games can generate millions of downloads and millions of dollars in revenue.
Hybridcasual games are a relatively new genre, so there is still a lot of room for innovation. I'm excited to see what new and innovative hybridcasual games developers come up with in the future.