Choosing the kind of casual game to do

[ManuelFLara]

I've recently started the development of a new (casual) game targeted to portal visitors and such.

The thing is, I'm undecided about what kind of game to do. On one hand I could do a typical match-3 / swap game, with good production values, polishment and 'new' twists; but a typical portal game at heart.

On the other hand, I have a game idea that I think is original (although the base mechanics is based on a part/minigame of an old game) and is also very accessible (you don't even have to move the mouse, just click/press key to play), so if I polish it enough, I think it could sell well considering there's nothing like it around. Additionally, I'm sure I'll enjoy a lot more doing this game:)

Now the question is, what do you think? My biggest thought against the original idea is that portal users don't seem to have enough match/swap/breakout/card games and it's the only thing they play. Although some games like cosmo bots or platypus did absolutely well too.

[mahlzeit]

I would choose the game that you'll enjoy making the most, unless you're strapped for cash. The whole point of life is enjoying it, so choose whatever gives you the most joy and satisfaction.

[svero]

I think what you have is a question of risk vs reward. I suspect that if your new more original concept happens to be a hit then you'll have a much bigger hit. Take zuma or feeding frenzy.. when they came out there wasn't really any direct competition for them and I think to some degree that helped them last on the top selling charts for as long as they did.

On the other hand.. choosing an established genre does offer a kind of security. You don't know that your game will succeed, because particular implementations of successful genres fail all the time, but you have at least eliminated that part of the equation from the risk of your development. That is to say.. that the genre in question CAN succeed if done correctly.

But even that isn't much of a guarantee since there are so many other factors, like how many similar games are out at the same time, what the direct competition is like, and how well you understand the subtleties of the genre etc... I'd say write a game of a particular genre.. say swapping tiles only if you really like those kinds of games and have an internal desire and drive to do your own and bring something new to it. Otherwise go with a more original concept. Along those lines I'll probably never write a bejeweled style game because I just don't like those sorts of games much. I am writing a zuma styled game but I was a HUGE fan of zuma and love the play mechanic.

[jankoM]

If you go with the original idea you probabbly have to ask yourself another question: "Is this original gameplay really that good?". Swaps, zumas, frenzies probably succeded because they were optiomally ballanced at several categories (like... require just the right ammount of thinking, of needed interaction, of timebased action, of tension....) So I think it is not very easy to create another gameplay that would be accepted so well.

In no way I want to discourage you... but I was very enusiastic about making the set of one button games some month ago... then I went thinking - maybe one button is something special ... and is nice tagline ... but at the end provides too little possibilities of controll to the player, to be really widely enjoyfull - so I put this idea to "sleep and evolve" mode for a while, because I don't know the finnite answer. I say that because you mentioed:


and is also very accessible (you don't even have to move the mouse, just click/press key to play)

I wish you well. You showed with your first game "The Cursed Wheel" that you can execute games in high quality so you probably really are proper portal material :)

[soniCron]

...I was very enusiastic about making the set of one button games some month ago... then I went thinking - maybe one button is something special ... and is nice tagline ... but at the end provides too little possibilities of controll to the player, to be really widely enjoyfull - so I put this idea to "sleep and evolve" mode for a while, because I don't know the finnite answer. Sorry for the off topic remark, but you should definately check this out (http://www.gamasutra.com/features/20050602/green_01.shtml). ;)

[jankoM]

These samples are really cool. I forgive you for going off-topic. I hope Manuel will to.