Hyper-Casual vs Mid-Core: Which Mobile Game Genre is More Profitable?

During the previous ten years, the industry has undergone numerous changes and has been on the rise. A few genres were predominant among them like hyper-casual and mid-core. Strictly speaking, neither of these is so profitable as to give rise to extraordinary ones, but they can still be pulled out of an overcrowded market. The question that interests more and more people is which of these secondary types of game is more profitable?

The idea of the article is to get a comprehensive answer to this question by shedding light on the features, development costs, user involvement, revenue models, and overall global potential of the two genres. Among this genre of writing, this will be the topic of exploration and coverage of different styles of hyper-casual and mid-core mobile games and the profitability of each would also be discussed.

The Rise of Hyper-Casual Games

Simple and easy to access hyper-casual games thrive in their most simple and accessible form. These games are usually very simple and can be played by the newbie without having to commit. The games are free-to-play and, as a result, get their main income through in-app ads. One of the keys to hyper-casual games’ triumph is that they deposit to various markets quickly. Classic examples of this hyper-casual genre are Flappy Bird, Crossy Road, and Paper.io.

For mobile game designers and developers, creating hyper-casual games has become an attractive option due to the low development costs and rapid turnaround times. Since the gameplay mechanics are usually straightforward, the games can be developed in a matter of months, making them ideal for studios looking to launch titles quickly. If you want to enter the world of hyper-casual games, it’s crucial to hire mobile game developers with experience in rapid development cycles and mass-market appeal.

The hyper-casual category does not thrive on its mass appeal. Players should be able to jump in and play for a few minutes without a steep learning curve. Consequently, they can enjoy these games in tiny portions, which is a perfect match with the mobile format. The monetization strategy of hyper-casual games is often about ad revenue, and it is specifically interstitial ads or rewarded video ads. These ads pop up at natural breaks in gameplay ensuring that players are not interrupted during the essential times they are playing.

However, the profit-making potential of hyper-casual games is related to getting viral. While the hyper-casual game can have a small development cost, it needs a lot of marketing to reach the users. When the game does not draw attention fast, it can be a reason that the game could not make the revenue the studio needs to run. In addition, puzzle-solving with the high churn rate, some players may download the game, play it for a short time, and then move on to something else. As a result, the future of hyper-casual games can be very positive, but at the same time, their success depends on market time and the unpredictable fortune of a product.

The Growth of Mid-Core Games

As opposed to hyper-casual games, mid-core games are more complex and consist of elements from casual and hardcore games. Mid-core titles generally have mechanics, which are more developed, graphics that are better, a deeper narrative, and thus, players receive a better game experience. These kinds of games are charged with energy and you can indulge for longer play sessions. In recent years, some of the mid-core games that have shone the most on the charts have been Clash Royale, PUBG Mobile, and Call of Duty: Mobile.

The mid-level core games that mobile game developers are working on have a higher production level and a longer development cycle. In the game, strategic thinking is often involved, character progression is present, and multiplayer features usually exist. These make the mid-core games have a player base and a revenue potential that is usually higher than that of hyper-casual games.

An important way the mid-core games make revenue is in-app purchases (IAP). Games of this type often use a business model where they make a part of the game (a.k.a. “freemium”) free to download, but users should purchase items to make the game better. These items can be things like character skins or power-ups that make the game more enjoyable, or faster. On the other hand, many mid-core games have added a battle pass feature to the game where players can get different rewards by finishing certain tasks or those hard-to-complete challenges.

The in-app purchases also have social features, such as the mid-core games having a vast online multiplayer community, where the game can be further developed, and thus more revenue can be generated. A fun way to bring in new players and keep the community alive is to have multiplayer features like tournaments, special events, or competitive leagues. Moreover, the loyal players of the game would likely pay small amounts of money often because they can revisit the game consistently to use the new cool features or online events. This seems to be a more engaging mechanism than the one seen by hyper-casual games, as the latter do not offer this kind of long-term user experience.

The costs for development of the mid-core games are usually higher than that of hyper-casual games, mainly because of the more complex graphics, gameplay systems, and multiplayer features. However, there is a margin among free games so you will be able to get a greater share through mid-core games. Due to the fact that the mid-core games provide additional value to users via the gameplay, social features, and thus the sense of progression, these games tend to be more attractive to end-users. For game developers who aim for continued profits, mid-core gaming is an excellent choice for a more stable and sustained profit source.

Key Differences Between Hyper-Casual and Mid-Core Games

The article of hyper-casual and mid-core games is the core of fun in the present world of game development. In this era where we have seen these small and huge genres of online games, we may distinguish some of them as they can affect the companies’ finances and perhaps aim to satisfy the demand of gamers as well. However, we will discuss the games in the theory only and then provide practical examples of how the module works. The main focus is on the processes of development and the expenses involved. The popularity of these two types of games is due to the peculiar that a certain budget is not necessary for starting such a business. What you do need though, is an idea for a game and money for its development. Then, you have to deal with the audience chapters. They make players feel they are part of the game. With QuizzesPad, teachers can easily create, assign, and navigate the quizzes, check the progress, and provide feedback to students. The quizzesPad platform not only replaces the traditional paper quiz but also provides the option to grade the quizzes instantly while students can watch their results. Hence, the quizzesPad is designed to increase the efficiency of the teachers who can create and grade millions of quizzes easily.

1. Development Time and CostsInexpensive games are available as well, and users are able to play on the go. This is referred to as an uninstantiated data because there is no array to make a name that retrieves its value. The gameplay in a hyper-casual game is simple enough that developers can only use one or two people to make the whole game. The cost and time it takes to build a hyper-casual game are far lower than of a mid-core game, hence, mobile game producers find it more efficient. Mid-core games are much harder to develop due to a longer development cycle and need of a bigger team to build complex mechanics, animations, and multiplayer features. Because mid-core games require a team of more people and more skills, they cost more and hence the studio must become more profitable to cover the costs and make profit.

2. Player Engagement and RetentionHyper-casual gaming is known for its times when players visit and play only a short game of it. In most cases, people do not stay in a hyper-casual game for long as such games are designed to be kind of a fly-by-night. These bigger numbers can be achieved without being customer loyalty. The design of a mid-core game is for the players to feel like there is always something for them to do. The fun and interaction provided by the game, the trophy, and in-game money spent and the purchase of add-ons are the key points. The longer time the players stay and keep engaging the original game, the more they are likely to stick around for a long time when a new game or more features are released. Hence, the reasons for higher engagement and retention of users in the mid-core games are directly related to the variability in the types of activities the players can do and the e-commerce platforms they are linked to.

3. Monetization StrategiesThe main area of concentration is on the choice of advertisement, where hyper-casual games are mostly focused on interstitial and rewarded video ads as a way of making money. Though this can potentially earn a lot of money through numerous users, the amount of money gained will be characterized by the spontaneity of users who are existing. Mid-core games often have a dual life, meaning they work with in-app purchases and ads. A copyright note is necessary for all streaming video content, as it grants the producers the exclusive right to their creation, which is a proof of their ownership during the streaming sessions. However, the right of an author to authorize or prohibit the right to make a derivative work does not actually provide the user with the right to perform a public exhibition of that work. The potential impact that a game can have on the software market will be analyzed by means of looking at different angles by discussing and testing the games inside the class. With the help of Placester, top real estate agents are able to develop a

4. Market AppealHyper-casual games could be available to anyone, even those who don’t play games for a long time. A high level of simplicity and discarding of hurdles give the games a competitive edge for the players who wish to pass time, which results in many downloads. With that being said, while the only way to earn is by waking those players, ironically, the situation is not in your favor. Mid-core games on the other hand, although they might not appeal to as wide of an audience, could still be able to generate more revenue since the gaming is more immersive and the in-game purchases happen.

Profitability Outlook

The success of hyper-casual and mid-core games in the market is largely linked to the quality of the game and the strategy of the development team. Hyper-casual games are those that offer quick returns with a minimum investment. However, the market is really competitive and it would be difficult for a game to go viral. If such a game does take off, it can make a lot of money in no time, but then it can also just disappear easily.

Otherwise, mid-core games, referring them to a more sustainable path for earning, fit in the other box. Even though the development costs are higher, the player base tends to be more involved, and the monetization strategies are more secure. Mid-core games produce more predictable income, meaning that for game developers you more sustainable. Furthermore, however, these games need more time to be successful, and the investment at the beginning is much higher.

Conclusion

Ultimately, the market for either hyper-casual games or mid-core games mainly depends on a studio’s goals, resources, and approach. Hyper-casual games are more suitable for developers who wish to start with a game rapidly and sells it to a wider audience, whereas mid-core games are the best fit for those creators who would like to develop a more advanced, playful, and immense product that would provide them with long-term revenue.

If you are a mobile game designer or developer and are searching for a game expansion possibility that will implement the game successfully, you must have an intellect of the market, the plus of monetization, and the target audience. Be it the case of a quick game that only stays popular for a short time or a mid-core game with a sustainable revenue model, the main thing is to recruit a team of mobile game developers who are knowledgeable about both genres and can give you advice on changing the mobile gaming industry.