Hybridcasual: Is It the New Trend in Mobile Gaming?
With the rise of mobile games, many new terms that were previously uncommon in the gaming world have entered our lives. The wide user base of smartphones has given game developers the opportunity to reach player profiles they could not access before. This diversity has required games to appeal to different profiles and meet various expectations.
With the rise of mobile games, many new terms that were previously uncommon in the gaming world have entered our lives. The wide user base of smartphones has given game developers the opportunity to reach player profiles they could not access before. This diversity has required games to appeal to different profiles and meet various expectations.
While some users find gaming pointless, others do not want to spend money on games. On the other hand, there are players willing to spend thousands of dollars for an uninterrupted gaming experience. Game companies must entertain their users while also generating revenue to survive. This has driven them to develop various models that appeal to different player types. Among these models are categories such as hypercasual, hybridcasual, casual, mid-core, core, and hardcore.
What is Hybridcasual?
In our previous articles, we discussed the birth and rise of the hypercasual category. Hybridcasual is used to define games that fall between hypercasual and casual categories. Hybridcasual games combine the basic mechanics of hypercasual games with the in-game progression processes seen in casual and mid-core games.
According to Applovin, hybridcasual games enrich the simple mechanics of hypercasual games with long-term goals observed in more complex games. Adjust defines hybridcasual as a category that combines hypercasual’s ease of adaptation with the monetization methods of mid-core games.
Hybridcasual games bring together easily understandable, simple but engaging game mechanics with content that sets long-term goals. These games largely rely on ad-based revenue models but also offer players monetization options to speed up their progress. From BV Growth’s portfolio, Veloxia’s hybridcasual game Space Colony can be downloaded from the App Store and Google Play Store.
Key Differences Between Hypercasual and Hybridcasual
Both categories have gained widespread acceptance in the industry and have proven to be successful models in terms of user habits. A game studio may choose hypercasual or hybridcasual depending on its strategy. This choice should be made before starting the project, as determining the right strategy is critical to developing a successful and sustainable game.
For a studio aiming to develop games that anyone from 7 to 70 would want to try immediately after seeing an ad, games that can be adapted in 3 seconds and played effortlessly, hypercasual is likely the most suitable category. Hypercasual games focus on low-cost user acquisition with simple and addictive game loops. These games encourage frequent ad views by offering many short levels. For users willing to spend money, features such as “No Ads” or simple cosmetic items are offered.
Hybridcasual games, on the other hand, address the short lifespan and limited per-user revenue of hypercasual games. They accept higher user acquisition costs and aim to keep players engaged for longer. Hybridcasual titles provide long-term game motivations and story progression. Over time, players build stronger connections to the game and become more willing to watch ads or spend money. Some games also add social features, allowing players to compete with each other, which further extends gameplay time.
From BV Growth’s portfolio, Gulliver’s Games’ hybridcasual title Restaurant Tycoon can also be downloaded from the App Store and Google Play Store.
Why Hybridcasual?
As mobile app user acquisition costs increase, the value of these users rises accordingly. Hybridcasual games have emerged as a result of this shift, progressing by keeping players satisfied for longer and establishing themselves as more sustainable projects. Compared to casual and mid-core categories, hybridcasual games require shorter development times, making them a reasonable alternative for studios aiming for longevity.
Studios that do not want to rely on low-effort development and short-lived success with hypercasual may turn to hybridcasual instead. While hybridcasual games take longer to develop and incur higher costs, they offer longer-lasting gameplay and higher revenue potential.
Turning a Hypercasual Game Into a Hybridcasual
Since the hybridcasual category essentially evolved from hypercasual, this transformation is technically possible. The key factor is whether the core mechanics of an existing hypercasual game are suitable for the transition. If your hypercasual game can incorporate elements such as character or environment changes, competitive social features, and new gameplay mechanics, the transition depends on time and the right iterations.
While the answer to “Is hypercasual dying?” may vary depending on who you ask, there’s one point everyone agrees on: “Hybridcasual is rising…” In this sector, where studios that fail to adapt fall behind and those who seize the early-mover advantage grow rapidly, hybridcasual offers a viable option for those seeking to transition from hypercasual to more sustainable games.