(C) Æliens

casual revolution(s) -- convention(s)

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twinkle(s) / difference(s)

... rather, the knowledge of conventions -- including those of game mechanics, genre, and interfaces -- is an important aspect of the development and consumption of all games.

casual revolution

/ play / program(s) / math(s) / flow(s) / cycle(s)

casual revolution(s) -- trend(s)

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twinkle(s) / difference(s)

• rules and goals must be clear.
• players need to be able to quickly reach proficiency.
• casual gameplay adapts to a players life and schedule.
• game concepts borrow familiar content and theme(s) from life.

designing play for the gamer in all of us / reference(s)

/ play / sensor(s) / program(s) / math(s) / flow(s) / cycle(s)

casual revolution(s) -- game(s)

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twinkle(s) / difference(s)

... in the short history of video games, casual games are something of a revolution, a cultural re-invention of what video games can be, a re-imagining of who can be a video game player.

casual revolution

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casual revolution(s) -- goal(s)

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twinkle(s) / difference(s)

game(s) = goal orientation, experience(s), social event

casual revolution

/ play / social(s) / program(s) / math(s) / flow(s) / cycle(s)

casual revolution(s) -- innovation(s)

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twinkle(s) / difference(s)

the casual revolution is a reinvention of both game(s) & player(s): casual game design is a genuine innovation in game design and a return to lessons long forgotten.

casual revolution

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casual revolution(s) -- interaction instrument(s)

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twinkle(s) / difference(s)

... interfaces are interaction instruments that mediate between the user and the domain objects the user wants to act on.

casual revolution

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casual revolution(s) -- mimetic interface(s)

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1. improved usability -- mimics real life activity
2. ease of use -- but easier than real activity
3. shift of focus -- to player space
4. shift of focus -- allowing for social relations

return to player space -- success factor(s) of mimetic interface games

casual revolution

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casual revolution(s) -- stupid machine(s)

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casual revolution(s)

/ play / program(s) / math(s) / flow(s) / cycle(s)

casual revolution(s) -- mimetic game(s)

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twinkle(s) / difference(s)

mimetic games move the action to player space,

but many of them also encourage short game sessions,

played in a social context.

casual revolution

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casual revolution(s) -- norm(s)

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twinkle(s) / difference(s)

to play video games has become the norm

to not play video games has become the exception

casual revolution

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casual revolution(s) -- game(s)

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twinkle(s) / difference(s)

• casual = positive, pleasant, easy, interruptable, juicy, lenient
• hardcore = opposite / inflexible & exclusive

casual revolution

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casual revolution(s) -- serious / game(s)

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• hardcore player -- who has a preference for science fiction, zombies and fantasy fiction, has played a large number of video games, will invest large amounts of time and resources toward playing video games, and enjoys difficult games.
• casual player -- is the inverted image of the hardcore player, this player has a preference for positive and pleasant fiction, has played few video games, is willing to commit little time and resources toward playing video games, and dislikes difficult games. casual revolution

play / program(s) / math(s) / flow(s) / cycle(s) ! Æ

casual revolution(s) -- trend(s)

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twinkle(s) / difference(s)

• mimetic interface(s) -- action mimics activity (*)
• online downloadable -- conveniently accessible

(*) physical activity of the player mimics activity on the screen: Dance Dance Revolution, Guitar Hero, Rock Band

casual revolution

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