[casual_games] RE: Casual Games research?

[Ulrich Tausend]

Jónas,
Thank you for your response. It helps a lot.
May I ask how far you are with the English version of your paper? It looks
interesting, but Icelandic is not really close to the languages I currently
speak. ;-).

But the references are very helpful!
Ulrich

On 7/7/06, casual_games-request at igda.org <casual_games-request at igda.org >
wrote:
>
>
> 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
> --------------------------------
>
> ________________________________
>
> 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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