I am thinking about making hybrid-casual games. I have been researching the genre extensively for the past few days, and I already have a basic concept for a superhero-themed platformer. I am kind of torn between 2D and 3D, but I am wondering if either type of platformer would be considered “casual”.

Check out this link to learn more: https://gameanalytics.com/blog/six-features-hyper-casual-dud-hybrid-casual-hit/​

Would a platformer with the features described in the article linked above be considered “hybrid-casual”?

BradleyAuerbach said:
Would a platformer with the features described in the article linked above be considered “hybrid-casual”?

The features in the article are independent to genre, and because it's bolt on stuff, i would even say it's tangent to game design at all. So ignore them for my answer.

Which is: If you want a casual platformer (i assume jump'n'run) make it 2D, not 3D.
Older players from the 8/16 bit Nintendo generation often have issues with navigating 3D worlds.
That's for good reasons, because i have not seen a 3D jump'n'run game which properly works yet. 3D lacks oversight, determinism, and a clear distinction of gravity vs. controlled motion.

The best 3D platformers i know are Quake 3 and Portal. But neither is casual and neither uses jumping for primary mechanics. Super Mario 64 is just a fail imo, comparing it with former 2D games which are awesome.

AndyPett said:
I would argue that “Casual Games” are games that you can pick up any time and start playing. There's no need to save progress etc., because you only want to start a new game when you start one anyway (think Solitaire or Minesweeper). Hybrid-casual, I would argue means games that are sort of casual, but you actually do store some sort of progress (level, points, coins etc), but the gameplay itself is always the same and you don't store which level (i.e. scene, not stats) you were on when you quit.

That's a nice definition i think. Sounds like the missing piece i never really understood regarding that ‘casual’ term.

Though, some relaxation is probably needed. The best casual game to me is Zuma, but like a jump'n'run this uses manually designed levels. And you won't play them all in row, so saving progress is needed.
So i would remove this, and reduce it to accessible games with simple, ideally self explaining and addictive mechanics.

Bolt on features like customization, collectibles, items, social stuff, leaderboards etc. depends on saved state and progress as well. Likely they can give the player advantages, but should not directly effect the mechanics to remain casual.

I am thinking about making hybrid-casual games. I have been researching the genre extensively for the past few days

Its beautiful to see in person when scientific terms are growing naturally out of nowhere.

But this is probably not such a moment.

@Geri what do you mean?