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Analyze This: Will 'Casual' Games Dominate the Future of the Industry? "I wouldn't say casual gaming is the future of the entire industry, but it certainly is set to become a larger part of the overall mix. New channels of distribution for casual games such as console digital distribution and mobile handsets are making these games more widely available, and the use of standard software, such as Java or Flash, with simpler game control schemes compared to traditional games, are making these platform moves less painful compared to other game types. "But there is another factor driving this, in that core gamers are rediscovering the casual game -- both new ones as well as classic arcade games from the past. They find they are compelling from a game play standpoint, and many are also driven by the nostalgia factor with the older titles now making their way onto new platforms. It's a virtuous circle, as publishers are excited to push their IP onto new platforms, as hardcore gamers are more likely to spend money on casual games than the casual gamer.
"As the delta in graphics realism between console generations decreases with each successive generation, console makers and publishers are going to have to find new methods of engaging the core gamer and growing the user base. Casual games certainly can help do both of these. "The indie gaming community is extremely vibrant in the casual game space, and there's great creativity there. The economics are also there to allow this, as casual games are the one area where new titles can still be made for well below a million dollars. This will help give the core gamer more new and interesting types of game play. "As far as growing the user base, casual games give the new gamer a quicker payoff and require a lower time investment, which will help bring them back and convince them to buy more games. It may also grow the average consoles owned by serious gamers, as these gamers look to access the greater number of games available across different platforms."
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