The Mobile Game Industry In 2024: Hyper Casual is dead
In 2024, the mobile game industry is experiencing significant transformations, as evidenced by Alex Shea’s claim that “Hyper Casual is dead.” What does the future hold for the mobile game industry in 2024, and what areas should game developers prioritize in the upcoming year? Read the following article to gain a more comprehensive understanding.
Hyper Casual is dead
Certainly, the Hyper Casual market has reached a point of saturation with a flood of games lacking uniqueness and innovation. Specifically, in 2022, the number of new hyper-casual releases surged five times compared to 2021 (Azur).
The current situation has led to numerous impacts on the Hyper Casual. Firstly, many players feel bored with too many similar experiences. The overcrowded market has also caused a significant spike in CPI (Cost Per Install). Naturally, many Hyper Casual game developers have felt stuck due to a lack of profitability. The peak came when Google’s advertising policies posed difficulties for many developers. Some even had to modify their games to avoid penalties from Google.
Following this, at a panel discussion during the PGC London 2023 event, Voodoo’s Head of Publishing, Alex Shea, declared, “Hyper Casual is dead.” Everything is indicating that the Hyper Casual genre is at risk of being phased out in 2024. So, what are the trends in the mobile game industry in 2024? – The answer is right below.
Voodoo’s Head of Publishing, Alex Shea: “Hyper Casual is dead”
The mobile game industry in 2024
Grasping trends and focusing on the right market will aid games in achieving accessibility and long-term development. Here are some pieces of advice for game developers in 2024, particularly for small studios.
Level up game with UEFN
The UEFN trend is a notable development in the gaming industry. UEFN creates an environment where players can interact positively and generate new content. Naturally, this freedom not only enhances excitement but also creates an authentic and personalized experience.
UEFN is not just a temporary trend but also represents a sustainable shift in the gaming industry. In other words, it offers game developers a new and promising opportunity. By leveraging the UEFN, developers can create engaging experiences for players.
Publishers are highly deliberative in allocating financial assistance
An important point is that publishers are becoming more restrictive in providing financial support to small studios. Specifically, their sponsorship policies are shifting focus towards projects with significant potential and the likelihood of high profitability. In this situation, developers need to have a financial plan to survive independently.
Nowadays, seeking natural solutions are the keys to success for small developers. For instance, some small studios are optimizing their resources for self-publishing. Additionally, they are also employing natural marketing strategies through platforms like TikTok to alleviate the pressure of advertising expenses.
Referencing on Steam
To be honest, Steam is becoming an important marketplace, especially for games with depth and complexity. Here, there is a robust system of reviews and feedback. Why not take advantage of this opportunity?
Clearly, learning from successful games on Steam in 2024 is the key to building games that meet the diverse expectations of the gaming community. When you understand the players, you will have more fitting development strategies
Advice to focus on Hybrid Casual
Currently, major publishers such as Voodoo and Saygames have stated that they are shifting their focus towards Hybrid Casual games. It provides a more interesting and memorable gaming experience compared to Hyper Casual games. Despite having more complex elements, Hybrid Casual games still maintain simplicity and accessibility.
This is a promising direction to create engaging games that satisfy mobile players. Prime examples of the appeal of Hybrid Casual include the success of games like Lethal Company, Phasmophobia, and Dave the Diver.
Attracting natural user engagement instead of advertising
Finally, don’t spend too much money on advertising if you’re a small studio. As analyzed above, you need to have a tight financial plan to survive. Instead of relying on costly traditional advertising strategies that may not yield effective results, focus on attracting users naturally.
In other words, use channels such as social media, short videos to organically promote your game and save costs. Specifically, leveraging TikTok for video dissemination is an effective marketing strategy.
However, you need to ensure that your videos capture attention and make an impression on viewers so that they genuinely become interested in your game. As a matter of fact, many game developers have been very successful without spending money on advertising. I believe you can do it
In Conclusion
In summary, “Hyper Casual is dead” marks a significant shift in the game industry. From here, it asserts that the mobile game industry in 2024 is undergoing numerous changes. Through this, it creates many opportunities and challenges, requiring game developers to adapt and change to align with the market’s demands.
