10 ways to make a bad casual game (and 3 ways to make a good one) jason kapalka co-founder, chief...

10 Ways to Make a Bad Casual Game

(and 3 Ways to Make a Good One)

Jason KapalkaCo-founder, Chief Creative OfficerPopCap [email protected] Amsterdam, Feb. 8, 2006


There’s no secret formula for coming up with a good new idea for a casual game. It’s more an art than a science, and really good ideas require luck and inspiration as much as anything.

However, once you do have a good idea, it’s very easy indeed to wreck it. A lot of cool game ideas lie entombed in the wreckage of bad implementations.

The examples I’m using in this document of bad ideas are all from earlier PopCap titles that we’d do differently now…

10 Ways to Make a Bad Casual Game:

#1. MAKE IT REALLY HARD!

Not enough playing time in your game? Kick it up to SUPER MAX DIFFICULTY!

Make people fail each level 5 or 6 times, at least.

Punish newbies with violent death. They deserve it!

Heavy Weapon was probably too hard for new players…

What you SHOULD do instead…What you SHOULD do instead…

Don’t punish new players who click around Don’t punish new players who click around randomly at first. Give them time to randomly at first. Give them time to experiment.experiment.

No casual game ever failed for being too No casual game ever failed for being too easy. But plenty have failed for being too easy. But plenty have failed for being too hard.hard.

Games that depend entirely on skill can be Games that depend entirely on skill can be intimidating. Games that rely entirely on intimidating. Games that rely entirely on chance can be boring. chance can be boring.

Bad tutorials can make an easy game seem Bad tutorials can make an easy game seem much, much harder. Lavish lots of time and much, much harder. Lavish lots of time and energy on teaching people how to play.energy on teaching people how to play.

What to do instead…What to do instead…

Don’t neglect the fact that people may enjoy Don’t neglect the fact that people may enjoy taking it easy for a while on levels that they taking it easy for a while on levels that they have mastered. They don’t always enjoy going have mastered. They don’t always enjoy going right into something at their maximum level of right into something at their maximum level of skill.skill.

See for example Bookworm… a game that is See for example Bookworm… a game that is quite easy once you have a bit of skill, but quite easy once you have a bit of skill, but allows you to set your own goals… like making allows you to set your own goals… like making a 10-letter word, or using 4 gold tiles at once, a 10-letter word, or using 4 gold tiles at once, and so on.and so on.


#2. HAVE A DOZEN MEDIOCRE GAME MODES INSTEAD OF ONE GOOD ONE

Which of these modes is good? Which to play first?!

Difficulty level… do I want Easy? Normal? Hard???

If you can’t decide on one version of the game that’s actually fun, just throw every iteration in there! Quantity will make up for quality. Our game Big Money suffers from an overdose of game

Modes, plus difficulty levels… 9 ways to play!


Extra modes do provide value, but focus on making Extra modes do provide value, but focus on making sure the main game is as good as it can be.sure the main game is as good as it can be.

Selectable difficulty levels are problematic. New Selectable difficulty levels are problematic. New players have no way to know what subjective terms players have no way to know what subjective terms like “Easy” or “Normal” mean in this new game. like “Easy” or “Normal” mean in this new game. Avoid if you can!Avoid if you can!

Be sure to explain alternate game modes as clearly Be sure to explain alternate game modes as clearly as you can before users have to choose what to as you can before users have to choose what to play. But see Rule #8! Nobody wants to read!play. But see Rule #8! Nobody wants to read!


Dynamically adjusted difficulty levels are one Dynamically adjusted difficulty levels are one way to avoid the problem of having too many way to avoid the problem of having too many choices for the user to make.choices for the user to make.

There are other possible solutions… in There are other possible solutions… in Typershark, we give new users a brief typing Typershark, we give new users a brief typing test before they begin the game, to test before they begin the game, to determine their current typing skill. The determine their current typing skill. The game then recommends an appropriate game then recommends an appropriate starting level.starting level.


#3. Make it a 600mb download that requires 2 next-gen video cards and 4gb of RAM and test it on just 1 computer

3d texture bump mapping is awesome, let’s toss that into our Solitaire game just for fun!

Nobody still uses a modem anymore. Do they?

QA, shmoo A. It works fine on my computer. Anyway, we can always patch it later.


Don’t use 3d. Or have a 2d fallback mode.Don’t use 3d. Or have a 2d fallback mode.

Remember that every extra technical Remember that every extra technical requirement you add shrinks your requirement you add shrinks your potential audience for the game… potential audience for the game… whether that is a newer processor, more whether that is a newer processor, more memory, a larger download footprint, etc. memory, a larger download footprint, etc.

Test thoroughly. Test thoroughly.


Beware of requiring weird plugins or Beware of requiring weird plugins or the like for your web game. Users are the like for your web game. Users are not keen on installing the latest JVM. not keen on installing the latest JVM. Similarly, any apps you require to be Similarly, any apps you require to be present on the user’s machine for a present on the user’s machine for a downloadable game, whether that is downloadable game, whether that is the latest version of DirectX, or some the latest version of DirectX, or some arcane video player, are problematic arcane video player, are problematic and risky.and risky.


#4. Price your game at $35. Or $3.50. And sell it only from your myspace home page.

I dunno, that price just feels right to me.

We don’t need no stinking contracts or partners! We’ll launch this game on our own!

Someone offered us a deal! No time to read the fine print! Sign!


If you price too low, people will think If you price too low, people will think your game is probably garbage. your game is probably garbage.

Be polite and reasonable when talking Be polite and reasonable when talking to publishers. It’s a small industry and to publishers. It’s a small industry and word gets around if you’re difficult.word gets around if you’re difficult.

Consider your upsell incentives very Consider your upsell incentives very carefully. carefully.


#5. Use the Right Mouse Button

Making critical control elements rely on the right mouse button or the mouse wheel is cool. Doesn’t everybody have an RMB?

For that matter, why not use the keyboard to control stuff too?

Mouse AND keyboard at the same time? Even better! How about a flightstick?


Casual game players prefer to use a Casual game players prefer to use a mouse, and they don’t like to right-click or mouse, and they don’t like to right-click or use the mousewheel or keyboard. use the mousewheel or keyboard.

Many players run games in windows… be Many players run games in windows… be aware of the interface problems this aware of the interface problems this poses.poses.

Players do not generally have the Players do not generally have the patience to master complex or fidgety patience to master complex or fidgety control schemes… if they don’t “get it” in control schemes… if they don’t “get it” in 5 minutes they will move on.5 minutes they will move on.


#6. Give it a terrible name or theme

Everyone knows casual game players love dungeons. In space. With robots. And skulls. Right?

How about a game with robot skulls… in a SPACE DUNGEON?

Remember to use words that resonate with your target audience, like “blood,” “war,” and “assault.”


Pick an easy-to-spell, easy-to-pronounce Pick an easy-to-spell, easy-to-pronounce title.title.

Make sure you can trademark the title.Make sure you can trademark the title.

Find non-violent, bright themes that Find non-violent, bright themes that appeal to casual gamers.appeal to casual gamers.

Make sure your theme meshes well with Make sure your theme meshes well with the mechanics of the game.the mechanics of the game.


#7. Award low scores

It’s not logical to award 10 points when 1 point will do.

It doesn’t matter if people think the game is low-scoring.

Touchy-feely psychological factors have no place in game design!


Award lots of points!Award lots of points!

Set up as many combos and bonuses as Set up as many combos and bonuses as you can, to reward the player for anything you can, to reward the player for anything positive they do. Reinforce with audio and positive they do. Reinforce with audio and video.video.

If something “feels” fun, pursue it If something “feels” fun, pursue it whether or not it seems to make sense in whether or not it seems to make sense in “normal” game design terms.“normal” game design terms.


The original version of Dynomite The original version of Dynomite awarded just 1 point for each match, awarded just 1 point for each match, so games tended to score in the low so games tended to score in the low hundreds of points. When we added a hundreds of points. When we added a zero, users all felt the game had zero, users all felt the game had become easier and more fun.become easier and more fun.

Little things like sound effects can also Little things like sound effects can also produce huge psychological impacts. produce huge psychological impacts.


#8. Expect users to read

If the game is complex, we’ll just put a few pages of instructional text at the beginning.

What do you mean you didn’t get that part? There’s a three-paragraph pop-up that explains it!

It’s best to explain everything all at once so people understand the function of every single thing in the game before they start playing.

Once again, Dynomite serves as a perfect anti-example. Check out that wall of microscopic text!


Use as little text as possible.Use as little text as possible.

Show, don’t tell. Use illustrations and Show, don’t tell. Use illustrations and animations whenever possible.animations whenever possible.

Lead users by the hand… make the Lead users by the hand… make the instructions interactive and engaging.instructions interactive and engaging.

Use big, readable fonts, and pay attention to Use big, readable fonts, and pay attention to layout and typography. Don’t make whatever layout and typography. Don’t make whatever text you do have hard to read.text you do have hard to read.


The more text you have, the more difficult it will be The more text you have, the more difficult it will be if you ever have to localize it.if you ever have to localize it.

If you’re producing a game in a language that isn’t If you’re producing a game in a language that isn’t your native tongue, do not skimp on getting a good your native tongue, do not skimp on getting a good writer who is fluent. Writing very clear instructions in writer who is fluent. Writing very clear instructions in a very small space is NOT an easy task, and style a very small space is NOT an easy task, and style matters.matters.

Be careful with stories. It’s very easy to put in way Be careful with stories. It’s very easy to put in way too much text, so that people will just ignore or skip too much text, so that people will just ignore or skip it. You should probably never have more than a it. You should probably never have more than a single screen of story stuff at any given point, eg. single screen of story stuff at any given point, eg. between levels. Keep in mind some people will skim between levels. Keep in mind some people will skim or skip it no matter what.or skip it no matter what.


#9. Make it challenging and cerebral

People LOVE really hard, really challenging mental puzzles. The kind that can totally stump and/or frustrate you for HOURS.

Well, some people do, don’t they? People who play Sudoku or the New York Times Crossword puzzle?

What do you mean those people aren’t the same ones playing casual games? That’s just crazy talk! Our game Mummy Maze, based on a clever old pen-

and-paper puzzle… critically acclaimed, popular with the people who read GAMES magazine, sold about 1/100 th as well as Bejeweled.


Strive to make games compelling, Strive to make games compelling, addictive, and replayable.addictive, and replayable.

Avoid stumping the player so that Avoid stumping the player so that they can no longer proceed in the they can no longer proceed in the game.game.

Be generous with hints. Let them Be generous with hints. Let them play the way they want to play.play the way they want to play.


The model for most casual games is The model for most casual games is closer to Solitaire than the New York closer to Solitaire than the New York Times Crossword Puzzle. Times Crossword Puzzle.

Remember that many casual players Remember that many casual players want to relax when they play a game… want to relax when they play a game… they don’t want to be challenged, they don’t want to be challenged, frustrated, or agitated. This is in stark frustrated, or agitated. This is in stark contrast to the typical console title, contrast to the typical console title, which is aimed at producing excitement.which is aimed at producing excitement.


#10. Ignore what everyone else says about your game

What the hell does my MOM know about games, anyway?

These testers have been playing the game for 6 months now! So I trust their opinion on how new players will feel.

If you don’t get it, you’re… you’re just stupid!


Use the Mom Test.Use the Mom Test.

Get fresh audiences frequently to see Get fresh audiences frequently to see how newbies will respond to your game.how newbies will respond to your game.

The less interested and experienced a The less interested and experienced a person is with games, the more you person is with games, the more you should listen to their comments about should listen to their comments about your game. your game.

The worst casual The worst casual game!game!

Suppose you had an idea for a Suppose you had an idea for a game where you had an 8x8 grid game where you had an 8x8 grid of 7 different objects. And you of 7 different objects. And you swapped them to make sets of 3 or swapped them to make sets of 3 or more, which would disappear. more, which would disappear.

You might take this idea and You might take this idea and create…create…

3 WAYS TO MAKE3 WAYS TO MAKE A A GOODGOOD CASUAL CASUAL

GAMEGAME

There is no science to coming upThere is no science to coming up

with a really good game idea. with a really good game idea.

But try not to screw it up whenBut try not to screw it up when

you do come across one.you do come across one.

3 Ways to Make a Good Casual Game:3 Ways to Make a Good Casual Game:

#1. #1. Give Feedback to PlayersGive Feedback to Players

Good feedback helps make Good feedback helps make gameplay intuitivegameplay intuitive

When players do When players do something bad, guide them something bad, guide them to do something better. to do something better. When they do something When they do something good, reward them in as good, reward them in as many ways as possible!many ways as possible!

Make the interface invisible Make the interface invisible so the user is “one with the so the user is “one with the game”game”

Bejeweled 2’s interface is a lot cleaner and simplerthan many of our earlier games.


#2. Consider Your Customer#2. Consider Your Customer

The typical casual game The typical casual game consumer may consumer may notnot be like be like you!you!

By nature, they are likely to By nature, they are likely to be less familiar with computer be less familiar with computer game conventions than you. game conventions than you. For that matter, many things For that matter, many things about about computerscomputers may be new may be new to them!to them!

They’re not stupid… but they They’re not stupid… but they areare very different. Remember very different. Remember to take things like age and to take things like age and eyesight into account.eyesight into account.


#3. Get #3. Get EXCITEDEXCITED about your game! about your game!

If If youyou can’t even get interested can’t even get interested in the game you’re working on, in the game you’re working on, how will your players?how will your players?

Don’t make a game because Don’t make a game because your research indicates that your research indicates that “this type of player” “this type of player” statistically likes “this type of statistically likes “this type of game.” If you have no passion game.” If you have no passion or feeling for the game, it will or feeling for the game, it will show.show.

When developers are When developers are interested in what they’re interested in what they’re working on, they will contribute working on, they will contribute new ideas and improvements.new ideas and improvements.


• 1. Make it really hard!

• 2. Have a dozen mediocre game modes instead of one good one.

• 3. Make it a 600mb download that requires 2 next-gen 3d video cards

• 4. Price your game at $35. Or $3.50.

• 5. Use the right mouse button.

• 6. Give it a terrible name or theme.

• 7. Award low scores

• 8. Expect users to read.

• 9. Make it challenging and cerebral

• 10. Ignore what everybody else says about your game.

10 ways to make a bad casual game (and 3 ways to make a good one) jason kapalka co-founder, chief...

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