[casual_games] Casual Games research?

Fri Jul 7 11:39:30 EDT 2006

Hi Ulrich.

I recently wrote a Research Paper on Casual Games and its impact on the Computer Game industry (53 pages). Unfortunately I had to submit my paper in Icelandic (my native language), although I am currently working on an English version.

Anyway - I touched on all the points you mentioned so the references in my paper should be useful to you since they'll lead you to some great sources. You can find my paper here - just go directly to the references at the end of it: http://jonasantonsson.com/archive/2006/05/19/63.aspx

I also urge you to check out the SIG Casual Games White Paper for 2006 found here: http://www.igda.org/casual/IGDA_CasualGames_Whitepaper_2006.pdf

Regarding the definition of Casual Games, in my view it is rather ambiguous. There are no black borders drawn around what constitutes as a casual game and what doesn't. For instance the IGDA defines casual games in a different manner then, say, the CGA (Casual Games Association). Mobile games, skill based games, betting games and MMOGs can - for example - all include both casual games and large "hardcore" games.

One of the most common definitions of a casual game is "A game that is easy to learn but difficult to master". This definition, however, doesn't imply anything about the size of the game, its main distribution medium or the "richness" of the game experience. Restricting the definition to a specific distribution or marketing model is also difficult because those aspects do not necessarily reflect any truth when it comes to the game experience itself.

Maybe the "definition" is more about feeling. A "We know'em when we see'em" type of deal. A casual game can run on a mobile phone, as an executable, on the web, etc. but the platform doesn't reflect the type of game. A casual game can even be packaged, wrapped and sold in stores. A casual game can reveal a few minutes of game play, a few hours or even weeks or days. A casual game can represent any genre.

But what a casual game HAS to do (in my view) is allow the player to Feel Casual. The player should be able to be up and running in no time, be allowed to leave the game at any time (without feeling that it has some major consequences on his status if he chooses to return to the game).

I have heard some people describe casual games as content over packaging. That the game itself matters while graphics, sound and production come second. But, then again, the term "game" is quite ambiguous as well, let alone the term "computer game" ;-) Keep in mind that some researchers have found that some casual game players actually contend that they do not play games because they don't perceive casual games (like Solitaire, minesweeper, Tetris or even bejeweled) as "real" games.

Anyway. I am rambling and I'd guess that many people on this list might disagree with my views although some might agree. My research paper holds explanations for the points I've made (or have tried to make) although I would welcome discussion here to further extend this particular dialogue because the topic really interests me.

Jónas B. Antonsson
COO (Chief Operating Officer)
--------------------------------
Gogogic ehf.
Fákafen 9, 108 Reykjavik, Iceland 
Mail jonas at gogogic.com <mailto:jonas at gogogic.com> 
Mob +354 664 8600
Tel +354 534 7700
Fax +354 534 7701
Web www.gogogic.com <http://www.gogogic.com> 
blog www.jonasantonsson.com 
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________________________________

From: casual_games-bounces at igda.org on behalf of Ulrich Tausend
Sent: fös. 7.7.2006 15:06
To: casual_games at igda.org
Subject: [casual_games] Casual Games research?

Since several years I am working in the casual games industry.
I am also studying sociology as a major and want to write my thesis about that topic.
I am still at the beginning of the literature research. 

I am searching: 

*	Existing research or studies done about casual games. E.g. What is the casual games audience (age or gender of casual gamers) 
*	Do you know any people who are researching casual games right now? 
*	A more or less accepted definition: What do we mean exactly if we speak of casual games? 
*	Numbers about the market, how big was it, is it or will it be?

I am happy about any input, and I will be happy to share my results with you. 

Ulrich Tausend

Neodelight/Neokolor GbR
Berlin - Munich

Phone - Mobile: +49-179-2951979
Phone - Skype In: +1 (347) 223-5845
Fax: +49 (30) 69088434
Skype: uli1000

ut at neodelight.com
www.neodelight.com [games division]
www.neodelight.com/about/neodelight [corporate] 
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