Do you feel like you’re always on the go? That’s possibly because you really are, with work, chores, social responsibilities, and family bonding reducing how much time you have for yourself. Technology has caused the world to speed up. Messages are sent instantly, work follows you home in your laptop bag, food is delivered to your door within 10 minutes, and talking with friends in a different country is just a click away.
This mad rush of life can make it feel like you have no more time to enjoy your favorite activity: gaming.
However, game developers know what their audiences are enduring, and have released “short games” or simpler games that can be enjoyed in shorter sessions. The games require minimal effort, are easy to get into, and are highly rewarding within just a couple of minutes.
These shorter gaming sessions allow you to strike the perfect balance between your hectic schedule and escaping into a game’s world. These types of games also tend to appeal to a larger audience looking for little breaks.
The Appeal of Mobile Games
Smartphones have made shorter gaming sessions commonplace. There’s no longer a need to invest in an expensive gaming setup just to play a couple of games in your downtime.
Developers have created games across genres to be enjoyed on mobile devices. And most of these require very little time investment. For example, a single round of Candy Crush will only take a minute or two. The same with Subway Surfers or Clash Royale. You are immediately launched into the action of the game, get feedback or your desired outcome, and can quit the game again within a few minutes.
Mobile games are ideal for those with busy lifestyles because they have quick loading times, can often be played with just one hand, and have simple controls and gameplay. They’re perfect to enjoy while you’re heating up your lunch at work or waiting for your Uber to arrive.
Short Casual Sessions
Casual games are ideal for short gaming sessions. These games can be enjoyed at any time, without tough levels to overcome or hours of playing to complete a task. The benefit of casual games is that you can jump straight into the action.
Casino games are a popular option in the casual games genre, especially crash games and slots. Casinos without any limits allow players to deposit as much money as they want, and then log in at any time for a shorter gaming session without having to first upload funds to get going. Slot games or crash games have independent rounds with immediate outcomes.
Other popular casual games are 2048 or Sudoku. These games have very little pressure, and there is no time obligation to get started. You can also exit these games even before “winning” the round, as your gameplay will be saved and you can start up again any time.
Quick Arcade Games Taking Over
Arcade and platform games are other great examples of games that will appeal to busy lifestyles. These simple but enjoyable games don’t have complex storylines or deep lore. It’s more about jumping over obstacles and dodging attacks to win.
Think about Pac-Man or Space Invaders. These retro games may not be your go-to anymore, but they’re the perfect example of games that can be enjoyed in quick rounds. More modern games like Astro Bot are a prime example of a platform game with short, engaging levels
Even multiplayer games can be enjoyed in short sessions. Among Us took over the gaming world a few years ago, with players playing in 10-minute sessions to discover who the murderer on the spaceship is.
Will Short Games Replace Marathon Gaming Sessions?
Although compact games are popular, they’re not about to replace in-depth, long-running games that can be enjoyed for hours on end. However, the balance may be shifting as more gamers turn their attention to “quick and fun” games.
The advantages of short gaming sessions for busy lifestyles are:
- They can be enjoyed in-between other activities.
- They’re less stressful since there is no complex gameplay.
- They offer flexibility since they can be enjoyed from anywhere.
However, dedicated gamers can also find these games to lack depth and be a bit too repetitive.
Even “long games” like Skyrim or Diablo IV can be enjoyed in shorter sessions, with quick quests or PvP matches.
So, although short games will not replace popular titles that can be enjoyed for hours, they will maintain their spot in the gaming industry.