The longest-lived mobile game type – Casual game

Casual games are the most sustainable games because they are accessible, suitable for all ages, and always maintain a stable player base.

Here are the main reasons for the longevity of casual games

• Easy to play, easy to access: Casual games have simple gameplay and do not require high skills or a long time to learn. Players can join immediately without complicated instructions. This helps the game attract many players of all ages. Because they are easy to access, casual games can continue to attract new players even when some of the old players leave. This continuity helps the game maintain a longer life cycle than other game genres, where players can give up if the game is too difficult or requires too much time investment.
• Do not require powerful devices: Most casual games are designed to run smoothly on all devices, even low-end machines. This helps the game reach wider users, not limited by hardware. When a game can run on various devices, it has a chance to maintain a stable player community for many years. For example, Plants vs. Zombies was released more than a decade ago but still has players thanks to its ability to run smoothly on many platforms.
• Play anytime, anywhere: Casual games often take a short time to play. Gamers can entertain themselves at any time, whether during lunch break or waiting for the bus. This convenience helps the game always maintain its appeal. This helps the game become a daily habit of many people, similar to surfing social networks. For example, many people can play Candy Crush while waiting for the bus or during their lunch break. When a game becomes part of the player’s habit, it will last a long time in the market.
• Always innovative but not complicated: Developers constantly update new content such as levels, events, or game modes without changing the original gameplay too much. This keeps casual games fresh without making players feel overwhelmed. Games like Subway Surfers or Candy Crush have succeeded in keeping the gameplay the same but still constantly refreshing the experience through events over time.

Thanks to these characteristics, casual games are not only sustainable but can also maintain their appeal for a long time, becoming one of the most successful genres in the gaming industry.

Top 8 longest-running casual games available on Google Play

1. Angry Birds (2009): Launched in 2009, Angry Birds quickly became a global phenomenon with its unique slingshot shooting gameplay, where players use birds to destroy green pigs.
2. Fruit Ninja (2010): Released in 2010, Fruit Ninja attracts players by slashing fruits that appear on the screen, requiring quick and accurate reflexes.
3. Candy Crush Saga (2012): Released in 2012, Candy Crush Saga is a match-3 puzzle game with thousands of levels, attracting players with increasing difficulty and special events.
4. Pou (2012): Released in 2012, Pou is a virtual pet game where players take care of a small creature, feed it, bathe it, and play mini-games.
5. My Talking Tom (2013): Released in 2013, My Talking Tom allows players to nurture and interact with the cat Tom, including feeding it, playing with it, and participating in mini-games.
6. Township (2013): Township is the perfect combination of city building and farming, creating an extremely interesting and rich experience. Since its launch in 2013, the game has attracted millions of players thanks to its easy yet challenging gameplay. From planting trees, and raising animals to building structures, Township brings a world full of creativity and constant innovation.
7. Hay Day (2013): Hay Day is one of the most popular farming games, bringing a relaxing and fun feeling to players. Since its launch in 2013, the game has quickly won hearts thanks to its cute images, free gameplay, and strong social interaction capabilities. Taking care of crops, and animals and trading with friends has become an indispensable part of the virtual life of millions of people.
8. Plants vs Zombies (2013: is one of the classic strategy games that no one can forget. Since its launch, the game has created a fever, bringing the tower defense genre to a new level. With simple but challenging gameplay, the harmonious combination of plants and zombies makes players always feel new and attractive, making them unable to stop playing every time they start.