by December M:
I keep writing about how good casual games are, but sometimes it’s nice to know that I’m not the only one. I was reading a great blog post on The Wall St Journal by Nick Wingfield about Angry Birds, a game specifically designed for mobile phones.
Now I realise that mobile phone apps and games are completely different from PC games. After all, one is designed to be played on the run, the other is designed to play on a more stable environment. And I don’t think anyone would argue that the experience of a PC game is more rich, more detailed and more immersive on a laptop or desktop PC, simply because of the screen size. After all, you can see more details on a larger screen.
And in my opinion, the games that best suit mobile phones are different from those that suit PCs. People who play a pc game are looking for a distraction for an hour or two at a time. Those on mobile phones are using it while travelling to work, waiting in line, having a lunch break etc so they are more likely to play in short bursts, what marketers call “entertainment snacking”.
But I guess the thing that impressed me the most about this article is how they emphasise that casual gaming is good, and good for you. It states “A scientific study from 2008 found that casual games provide a “cognitive distraction” that could significantly improve players’ moods and stress levels.” I like the idea that by playing a game I can improve my mood. Lower my stress levels. Be a better person. Isn’t that what we are all aiming for?
Wingfield continues, “many casual games… use positive reinforcement to make players feel good when they succeed” and this is another wonderful lesson to come out of casual gaming. Positive reinforcement is, well, positive and anything that helps you to feel good about yourself and at your achievements is surely a good thing?
So obviously it isn’t just me who thinks casual games are good and good for you. It wouldn’t be the fastest growing niche in the gaming industry if it wasn’t doing something right. So how do you most like to play? On your mobile, on your pc, or both? To me, it is now obvious that if I want to be a better person, a less-stressed person and one who knows how to smile, the first step I need to take is to play a casual game.
Read Nick Wingfield’s full article ‘Why We Can’t Stop Playing’ at The Wall Street Journal’s website
My partner and I really enjoyed reading this blog post, I was just itching to know do you trade featured posts? I am always trying to find someone to make trades with and merely thought I would ask.