The casual gamer is a mythical creature. A fairy that promises riches and a happily ever after to greedy stockholders. With a swing of its magical Wiimote, the spell will be cast an abundance of wealth will be yours.

Who is this casual gamer, where did it all begin, and will it ever stop? (Dear God make it stop!)

Let me take you back to the year 2000, the beginning of a new era in videogaming history.
Simple, intuitive games that relatively required little skill were popping up left and right. PopCap Games, now considered a figurehead of the casual gaming industry, was founded in this year. Shortly afterwards Macromedia Flash 5 would be released. This build introduced "Actionscript" to the existing Flash technology, allowing interaction and thus casual gaming to take root in the form of browser based games.

Back then, the term "casual gamer" did not exist, though. There were immersing big budget games, and then there were simple relaxing games. Those simple games became increasingly popular among office workers, and the casual gamer evolved from thereon, into what it is today.



Let us take a closer look at the behavior of this creature.
The best method to gain information on an unknown species (aside from petting them) is by examining their actions in their natural habitat. In this case, PopCap Games. Not surpisingly, it was this company that issued the largest surveys among casual gamers.

Nearly 9 out of 10 PopCap customers cited stress relief as a reason for playing games, while 74% of the respondents saw it as a mental excercise. Shockingly, entertainment comes in third.
But there's more! When asked which way to pass the time they regarded as important, the players picked "playing casual computer games" over any other choice, including "spending time with friends or family" and "watching television or movies".

While the casual gamer is indeed a casual gamer, and excercises the practice frequently, entertainment is not one of the main reasons. Casual gamers want to train their brain. Not unlike other gamers, they also want to de-stress after a hard days work, be it office-work, homework or ironing-those-clothes-work.

If you think that survey solved the casual puzzle, you're wrong. This article cannot possibly be complete without delving into the well the Nintendo Wii dug for us. It is the system that upped the ante: Milking the casual gaming market has become a huge hype.
Release a shoddily put together minigame collection, and the consumer will come running. Or will he? What most publishers are forgetting, is that the casual gamer owning a Wii, is a different casual gamer alltogether. You don't play the Wii in your office as you would play Solitaire, your mom probably does not play the Wii once she's done washing those dishes.
Those remote-swinging grandpas regard the simple multiplayer games as a fitting bonding experience with their (grand)children.
WiiSports is the obvious example here: It is a game with universal appeal, allowing the entire family to participate and providing varying experiences for each family member.



Hypothetical situation: I start up a game of WiiSports with my imaginary girlfriend. We're playing Tennis.
She would undoubtedly dance back and forth with each racket swing. Accompanied by her own giggles and moans, she would try to hit the ball and break every vase in the room in the process. Obviously, my sexy and inexisting companion is having a great time playing the game.
Meanwhile, I have figured out how to carefully place shots, add effect and score those powerfull aces. Right from the start, I realised I did not need to run back and forth like she did. I could just as easily sit in the couch and control my racket with small motions of the wiimote. I've seen the depths of this game.
Still, the hypothetical girlfriend remains. I can't help but have a good time when I see her hopelessly attempting to hit that ball, so the game provides entertainment for me as well.

Another reason parents often state when buying a Nintento Wii for their children, is the educational benefits. This statement could sprout an entirely different discussion. However, it is clear that people generally do not consider the PS3 or Xbox360 consoles as an educational value - not as much as the Wii, anyhow.

To wrap this up, it can safely be said that the casual market that stirs up so much commotion is not as simple as it may seem, nor is it the same casual market PopCap represents.
Take a closer look, and you will notice how diverse these casual gamers can be, and how they all look for different values in games. Minigames can be alot of fun, but they have to be crafted with care in order to succeed. Alienate one family member, and the sunday afternoon family game loses its appeal.

Have mercy on me, robot God.
For I have committed sins against you.
For days on end I visited thou holy website. I drank the water and felt furfilled, without uttering so much as a thank you.
You have shown me the light. I was blind, but now I can see. I am not worthy of kissing thy feet, yet you love me with all your heart.

I pray that you may use me, as a tool in your Greater Plan. To this purpose I have joined the ranks of your army and commenced practicing your Divine Teachings: C-Blogging.

Please accept this sacrifice and forgive my sins.


Also, please cure cancer and kill the boogieman.

Amen.