The gaming industry is one of the biggest in the entertainment world, but so many gamers only focus on games for PC and consoles. However, one of the biggest markets is mobile gaming. Nearly everyone has a mobile – pad or phone – of sorts nowadays, and this means thereis a massive market for games for all ages and tastes. This, of course, brings with it a key question. What precisely makes a good mobile game?
A Clear Concept
With so many potential options for game themes, it is important that anyone who thinks they want to develop a game has a clear concept in mind. Much of this comes down to the basic function of the game itself.
One thing that needs to be made clear is that mobile games offer a fraction of what a full computer game can offer. However, that does not mean that there is any drop in quality. While a mobile game might not be able to offer a full open-world RPG in the same manner as a computer game, features like turn-based combat and character customisation can give you many of the same elements.
Choosing a concept will help to give the game more clarity from the beginning. A mobile game with too many ideas is going to be rather difficult to play and it might not attract that many players. The game may even seem ‘clunky’ to established gamers. By keeping it simple and as clear as possible, developers have a great foundation from which they can build their game.
Optimisation
A mobile game needs to be compatible with mobile devices. While this might sound like it should be a no-brainer, you would be surprised at the number of games that claim to be mobile compatible when they are actually nothing of the sort. The easiest way to spot a mobile game is that it will have large buttons that are easy to press with fingers on a touch screen. Games can be both landscape and portrait depending on the genre of game, and they should always run smoothly.
As an example of cool graphics, neat play modes and intuitive presentation, check out Veikkauskertoimet for some fantastic examples of mobile-optimised games. This will give you a clear indication as to what you should be looking for when playing one of these games. Anything that feels clunky to navigate or requires you to pinch-zoom just to click a link is not going to be mobile compatible in the slightest – best give them a wide berth.
Functions
You will often find that many mobile games have different functions and special features compared to others you may want to try. For example, many mobile games offer some sort of limited playability. The most popular of these is lives. If you complete a level, you keep the life. If you lose these, you will lose a life. To regenerate them, you need to wait for time to pass. You can also occasionally earn unlimited lives that might allow you to keep playing levels for hours on end depending on your skill level and adaptability to the game.
Mobile games may also have an upgrade cool-down function. This is incredibly important with games that have some sort of management system and they will force you to step away until the upgrade is complete.
These are just some of the many special features that you might encounter as you play mobile games. Many will be tied to some sort of time element, meaning that you will be able to play the game around your regular life. Whereas a console game requires you to put time aside deliberately for play, a great mobile game can just slot in around other pastimes that you might have or, if you are a wage slave, even work.
Do Your Research
As with many other parts of life, there are many avenues that you can explore to ensure that you have found the best possible mobile game for you. Reviews and forums will always be a brilliant place to look at first when you are trying to find a good game, though everyone’s preferences will be very different. At the end of the day, a good mobile game will always be one that runs smoothly, has engaging gameplay, and does not crash or slow down your mobile phone. If you can find one that ticks all of these boxes, you will know that you are on to a winner!