Casual Mobile Games in 2D Style as a Part of Mobile Casual Gaming Art. Best Casual Games
Oct 6, 2022 
10 min
Mobile gaming has become one of the most popular forms of entertainment in the world, and casual games in 2D style have played a significant role in this phenomenon. These games, which are usually simple and easy to play, are owned and enjoyed by millions of gamers around the world.
Whether you are waiting for the bus or taking a break from work, there's always a game to play on your mobile app. Game developers have mastered the art of creating simple yet addictive games that can be played by anyone. Although a particular casual gamer may feel disappointed with the lack of depth in these apps, it's hard to deny that casual mobile games in 2D style are some of the best casual games of all time.
What are casual games?
Casual games are a subset of video games that are designed to be easy to learn, quick to play, and accessible for players of all ages and skill levels. These games are often created by independent casual game developers or smaller companies that specialize in creating simple, entertaining games. Unlike more complex games such as first-person shooters or role-playing games, game design in casual games typically have simpler and easy to understand user interfaces (UI) that make them easy to pick up and play quickly.
They also tend to focus on gameplay mechanics that do not require a significant time investment or learning curve, such as puzzle or card games. These games are called casual games because they can be played casually, without a sense of urgency or pressure to advance to the next level. However, casual games must still provide a satisfying gaming experience to keep players engaged and interested.
They often feature addictive gameplay mechanics that keep players coming back for more, despite the lack of narrative or high-end graphics. Overall, casual games provide a fun and accessible way to enjoy gaming without the need for a significant investment of time or money.
Who are casual gamers?
Casual gamers are individuals who enjoy playing video games, but do not dedicate a large amount of time or effort to them. They typically play casual games, which are simpler in nature and do not require as much skill or strategy as hardcore games. These games often appeal to a wider audience, and are popular across various platforms, from mobile devices to consoles.
Board games are also a form of casual gaming, and often involve simple mechanics that can be enjoyed by players of all ages.
- Popular game genres for casual gamers:
- Puzzle games
- Endless runners
- Simulation games
- Party games
Simple games are designed to be easily accessible and fun to play, allowing players to pick up and put down the game as they please. They also typically feature social elements, such as leaderboards and multiplayer options, to keep players engaged and encourage competition.
What is a casual gaming basis?
A casual game basis refers to a type of gameplay that is designed for easy and accessible entertainment. This category often includes match-3 games, which require little cognitive effort and can be played for short periods of time. Typically free-to-play with optional in-app purchases, these casual video activities are made to be played by anyone, regardless of gaming experience or skill level.
While some challenge is possible and maintained, the activities can be automated to a certain extent, ensuring that players can enjoy them without being bogged down by complicated controls or mechanics.
The gaming industry has embraced casual game basis as a way to reach a broader audience and provide more accessible and engaging experiences. Overall, casual video games are a fun and relaxing way to unwind and enjoy some light entertainment.
Popular examples of casual games are such projects as Homescapes, Gardenscapes, House of Fun, Caesar Casino, Bingo Blitz, Solitaire cruise, Fruit Ninja.
Games that require good graphics are casual ones: the brighter and more colourful the picture looks, the better. As a rule, such games are designed in 2d styles. With their help, both the main acting characters and the surrounding world, premises and landscapes are drawn.
Applicability of 2d game art style in casual and mobile art
Casual graphics is one of the artistic styles of mobile game art. The casual game style involves discarding superfluous details and 'emphasising', enlarging the main ones. The task is to create a simple and at the same time bright memorable image. Using 2d game art styles is the most appropriate and effective method for solving this type of problem. Here, the crowning achievement and indicator of the quality of 2d game artists' work is their ability to express the main features of the character through the simplest tools. This way, they present it to the players in the best traditions of 2d video game art styles.
Casual Design
Casual design is often associated with something cartoonish and childish. It is frequently referred to as cartoon or primitive. Sometimes 2d game art styles are conditionally divided into children's, women's and men's: The children's style is supposed to be defined by the brightest colours and the presence of cartoon characters a la the rainbow pony. Women's style is marked by softer tones of colour and cuter personalities. Men's design is characterized by masculine heroes and sharper lines, such as Ricochet from Brawl Stars has.
However, the exact wording of the definition of style is difficult to achieve, since the edges of the concept of casual graphics are vague. In fact, the casual style's goal is to create a bright and clear image for all ages, genders and races, even winning the game. It is the simplicity and a certain 'averageness' of the characters that should be memorable is the main difficulty in creating images for a casual style game.
With the help of our 2d art design methods, crystallising a stereotypical character is not an easy task for a 2d game designer, doesn't it? In addition, our UI design services are able to help create the best feelings a player can experience in shorter gaming sessions, and it doesn’t require any gaming skills. We also provide gaming art outsourcing services to many game developers and publishing companies, including PC, mobile, console, social and app store games, to ensure the best gaming experience for many players.
Best Casual games are on trend
The core of such gaming products is the gameplay process, which involves the repetition of the same actions over and over again. It can be compared to the meditative sorting of the rosary. These games are characterised by ultra-short game sessions of two to five minutes in length, providing a great way to monetize ads in-game. Furthermore, they also solve puzzles and require simple rules and shorter sessions, making them an ideal option for casual gamers.
Hyper casual games are also accessible to a wider audience, as they can be downloaded instantly and require minimal effort and time commitment from the player. This makes them one of the best feelings for those looking for a quick distraction during their daily routine. Despite their simple gameplay and easy access, apps can still provide an enjoyable experience and challenge for players.
Many games within this genre incorporate elements of strategy, timing, and skill to keep players engaged and motivated to improve their scores. Automated or combined with demographics, casual games have proven to be a successful and sustainable business model within the mobile gaming industry. As the market continues to evolve, it will be interesting to see how developers and publishers continue to innovate and create new experiences within this genre.
One way or another, the most popular hyper games have steadily dominated the top mobile games sales charts in recent years. The most downloaded of them in the first quarter of 2022 are:
- Merge Master — Dinosaur Fusion (51.4 million downloads);
- Count Masters (41.9 million downloads);
- Race Master 3D (41.8 million downloads);
- Find the Alien (36.9 million downloads);
- Paper Fold (32.2 million downloads).
Monetization strategies of casual genre games
The monetization strategies of casual genre games have become a popular subject of discussion among the gaming community. With more than 10 billion downloaded games worldwide, it is evident that playing games is an activity that many people engage in.
Games cater to a broader audience, including gamers who are new to the industry or don't have the time to invest in more intense titles. While hardcore gamers may find them less challenging, casual games have the advantage of being accessible to all.
The free-to-play model is a popular choice in monetizing casual games, as it allows for a low barrier to entry and keeps things exciting by introducing in-app purchases. As the game has more complex design and features, these purchases can range from unlocking new levels, characters, and extra bonuses. It is essential to strike a balance between generating revenue and ensuring the user experience is not compromised.