“Parry this, you filthy casual!”

This line may have been reduced to an archived meme, but this is one of many signs that casual games have been around in the gaming world even before ‘gaming’ has extended to video games. Casual gaming is great – just don’t mind what the hardcore geeks at the back are screeching about. These apps could be anything from endless runners, match-3 puzzles on walla games, or even the many faces of digital solitaire. If you can play for a few minutes, set it aside, and come back after all your work is done, there’s a big chance you’re a casual gamer.

Casual games, believe it or not, are quite the voice in gaming – especially when it comes to industry revenue. Despite the name, casual gaming means serious money. So, what does this industry mean to everybody? That we shall try to know the gist, at least.

Gaming for non-gamers

Some people want to game without having to deal with all the gatekeepers serious gaming communities usually house. Complex controls, an unhealthy obsession with mechanics, and hostile multiplayer environments are less-than-welcoming to non-gamers. Casual games are a great offering for everyone who is looking for a little fun on their devices. One-finger gameplay? Few buttons to press? Why not?

Anchor points for visitors

Are you on the fence thinking if gaming is what you want to do for a long time? “Busy games” with so many factors to look after are less-advised entry points in this hobby. Not many people are out there immediately looking for a challenge. A game of simple puzzles or short platformers like those in Walla משחקים makes for a good start. At least you don’t have to feel a tinge of guilt about abandoning unfinished progress.

Breathing room for the hardcore gamer

The more serious game scenes, especially ones with dedicated multiplayer, eventually cause undue stress. Having to look after rankings, optimizing builds, and coordinating with team members are more often than not pain points in the quest to come out on top. Card games and match-3s have little demands other than hand-eye coordination and timed use of power-ups. You can take a break, beat a few levels, and return to the competitive sphere once all the steam is blown off.

Profit for publishers

Low entry bars, easy-to-understand mechanics, and high social factor make casual games one of the highest-earning titles in the gaming industry. Puzzles, digits, hidden object games, and cards tend to draw more people than overly complicated shooters and slashers. You’ll be surprised that a silent majority hangs out in the casual gaming world. This is also the place with the most number of people willing to spend on power-ups and fancy avatars.

Practice for aspiring developers

This part of digital fun often tells tales of developers who coded a simple game and suddenly made big less than a week after people discovered their title. Casual games don’t need to have a lot of bells and whistles to be effective. There are plenty of game engines offered at affordable rates (some are even free if you know where to look). You’ll also have no problem looking for online references in case you’re stuck, or you want a little more spoon-feeding as you craft your first game. All you need is to hit the right search engine keywords.

Casual gaming apps pack a lot more than they look. There is no denying that there’s a fun and simple app out there no matter what kind of gamer you are.