Casual Game Design 101 Nick Fortugno Co-Founder/CCO

Casual Game Design 101Nick Fortugno

Co-Founder/CCO

Casual Game Principles

Casual Game Principles

• Casual game design is game design.

Casual Game Principles

• Casual game design is game design.

• General principles of game design apply (core mechanic, meaningful choice, etc.)

Casual Game Principles

• Casual game design is game design.

• General principles of game design apply (core mechanic, meaningful choice, etc.)

• So what’s the difference in casual game design specifically?

Design Games for Non-Gamers

Design Games for Non-Gamers

• The biggest difference is game experience.

Design Games for Non-Gamers

• The biggest difference is game experience.

• Casual gamers don’t know traditional game conventions.

Design Games for Non-Gamers

• Interface

Design Games for Non-Gamers

• Interface (Hardcore)

Design Games for Non-Gamers

• Interface (Hardcore)– Complex

Design Games for Non-Gamers

• Interface (Hardcore)– Complex– Requires Specialized Mastery

Design Games for Non-Gamers

• Interface (Hardcore)– Complex– Requires Specialized Mastery

Design Games for Non-Gamers

• Interface (Hardcore)– Complex– Requires Specialized Mastery

Design Games for Non-Gamers

• Interface (Hardcore)– Complex– Requires Specialized Mastery

Design Games for Non-Gamers

• Interface (Casual)

Design Games for Non-Gamers

• Interface (Casual)– Intuitive

Design Games for Non-Gamers

• Interface (Casual)– Intuitive– Either Mastered Outside of Games or

Obvious

Design Games for Non-Gamers

• Interface (Casual)– Intuitive– Either Mastered Outside of Games or

Obvious

Design Games for Non-Gamers

• Interface (Casual)– Intuitive– Either Mastered Outside of Games or

Obvious

Design Games for Non-Gamers

• Interface (Casual)– Intuitive– Either Mastered Outside of Games or

Obvious

Design Games for Non-Hardcore

Design Games for Non-Hardcore

• Hardcore gamers are used to failure.

Design Games for Non-Hardcore

• Hardcore gamers are used to failure.

• Games punish you to teach you how to play.

Design Games for Non-Hardcore

• Hardcore gamers are used to failure.

• Games punish you to teach you how to play.

• Games require dedication.

Design Games for Non-Hardcore

Design Games for Non-Hardcore

• Casual gamers are not accustomed to game failure.

Design Games for Non-Hardcore

• Casual gamers are not accustomed to game failure.

• Therefore, casual games teach more through reward rather than failure.

Design Games for Non-Hardcore

• Casual gamers are not accustomed to game failure.

• Therefore, casual games teach more through reward rather than failure.

• They don’t require dedication for success – that’s why they’re casual.

Design Games for Adults

Design Games for Adults

• Kids often have a near infinite amount of time to play.

Design Games for Adults

• Kids often have a near infinite amount of time to play.

• Adults don’t – they have responsibilities.

Design Games for Adults

• Kids often have a near infinite amount of time to play.

• Adults don’t – they have responsibilities.

• Design games with this in mind.

Design Games for Adults

• Make games short and finite.

Design Games for Adults

• Make games short and finite.

• Make play experiences short and saves common.

Design Games for Adults

• Make games short and finite.

• Make play experiences short and saves common.

• And don’t aim for kids with content either.

Nick FortugnoCo-Founder / CCO

nick@rebelmonkey.com