Jason Kapalka, from PopCap, provides some video game design tricks for the casual game industry in an interview with Rock, Paper, Shotgun. The article focuses on how PopCap was able to create successful casual video games such as Peggle and Bejeweled.
Interesting casual game developer information:
- 89% of players are aged 30+
- 76% are female
- Create puzzles with more than one solution to increase replay value
- Have sound cues of rising pitch associated with combos
- Never award points in increments of less than 10
- Focus on fun first over the bells and whistles
- Hardcore gamers can get into casual games too
I've watched some people play casual video games. One of my co-workers loads up a different game during lunch everyday. I've also watched my girlfriend play them. Neither of them have actually purchased any of the games yet.