How to Make a Hyper Casual Game: Costs and Tips

https://vasundhara.io/blogs/how-to-make-a-hyper-casual-game

In recent years, the majority of us have encountered the advertisements for games while using applications, including transformation games and road rolling balls. The game type among these days is a significant commonality: the rise of hyper casual games. These advertisements serve as evidence that game development companies are actively seeking revenue-generating opportunities within this genre.

This industry's hoopla, or rather a shift in game selection, can be advantageous for game development businesses in terms of increasing their user base, establishing a strong brand presence, and enhancing their financial success.

However, the market becomes oversaturated as a result of the excitement. This does not imply that businesses are incapable of enduring such intense competition. To begin, the primary objective is to identify the appropriate game mechanics and gameplay that resonate with the audience in order to captivate their attention among the numerous Hyper Casual games.

This comprehensive guide will walk you through the process of creating a Hyper Casual game, the key considerations to keep in mind, and the costs involved. By the end of this article, you’ll have a clear roadmap on how to bring your Hyper Casual game concept to life.

What is Hyper Casual Game?

Hyper Casual games are characterized by their simple mechanics and minimalistic design. They are often single-tap or swipe-based games, requiring quick reflexes and offering short gameplay sessions. The simplicity of Hyper Casual games is one of their defining features, making them accessible to a wide audience. Games like "Flappy Bird," "Helix Jump," "Crossy Road," and "Stack" are examples of Hyper Casual games that have achieved massive popularity.

These games are typically free to play and rely on in-app advertisements and microtransactions for revenue. Their appeal lies in the ease of learning and the addictive loop that keeps players coming back for more.

Also read: Vasundhara's Game Development Studio Ready to Colloborate With Publishers

Key Elements of a Successful Hyper Casual Game

Before diving into the development process, it’s important to understand what makes a Hyper Casual game successful. Here are some essential elements to consider:

Simplicity:

The core mechanic should be easy to understand and execute. Players should be able to grasp the gameplay within a few seconds.

Addictiveness:

The game should offer quick sessions with a clear goal, encouraging players to keep playing to beat their previous score or achieve a new milestone.

Engagement:

Despite its simplicity, the game should offer a sense of progression or achievement that keeps players engaged over time.

Visual Appeal:

Hyper Casual games often feature minimalist yet polished graphics that enhance the player’s experience without distracting from the gameplay.

Short Sessions:

Each gameplay session should last only a few minutes, allowing players to enjoy the game in short bursts.

Monetization Strategy:

Most Hyper Casual games are free to download, so developers typically rely on ad-based revenue, in-app purchases, or both.

Also read: Request A FREE Proposal To Partner with Game Development Studio

Types of Hyper Casual Games

Hyper Casual games range from endless runners like "Subway Surfer" to puzzle games like "2048," but they all share the common thread of simple "Game Mechanics". These mechanics are game rules that direct and govern the player's in-game actions.

Swerve Mechanics

In this gaming mechanism, the user must drag their finger horizontally or vertically across the screen to avoid in-game hazards on the course. These games are particularly engaging due to their dynamic and responsive gameplay.

Aquapark, Temple Run, and Subway Surfer are among the most popular Hyper Casual games with swearing-based gameplay features.

Stacking Mechanics

This game mechanism requires players to stack moving in-game items on top of one another. Stacking games combine strategy and precision, putting players' balancing abilities to the test and contributing to sustained player involvement.

Cat Stack, The Tower, Stacky Dash, and more games provide excellent examples of these gaming principles.

Timing Mechanics

The timing mechanics of hyper-causal games involve tapping the screen at specific times that require focus and coordination for accurate results. These mechanics incorporate skill and strategy, resulting in an engaging and enjoyable gameplay experience.

Baseball Boy!, Fun Race 3D, and others are excellent instances of Hyper Casual games using timing mechanics.

Puzzle Mechanics

It needs players to solve simple yet fascinating puzzles of lower difficulty. These games provide cerebral stimulation and maintained player interest because the challenges are simple, making them accessible while also giving a gratifying experience. Roller Splat!, 1010!, 2048, and other Hyper Casual games feature puzzle mechanics.

Agility or Dexterity Mechanics

This game mechanics combines agility and dexterity mechanics. Agility mechanics are all about making quick and responsive in-game moves. Dexterity mechanics, on the other hand, derives from the term "mechanical dexterity," which refers to the skillful and swift control of an object with one's hands.

The participants win the game by maintaining a balance of reflexes and hand-eye coordination. Tiles Hop: EDM Rush! highlights the best agility and dexterity mechanics.

Merge Mechanics

One of the most exciting game features is when players combine comparable objects to improve and unlock higher-tier parts. The mechanic's satisfaction stems from the strategic considerations players make to optimize merging.

Furthermore, the sensation of progress and accomplishment makes these games enticing for lengthy play sessions. Merge Town, Merge Villa, and other Hyper Casual games feature merge mechanics.

Resizing Mechanics

Games with resizing mechanics require players progressing through the game by resizing their in-game avatars (shrink or grow) to fit in the gaps of the hurdles set on the track. Jelly Shift, High Heel!, and other Hyper Casual games feature resizing features.

Also read: Current Trends in Custom 3D Mobile Game Development

Hyper Casual Vs Casual Games: What’s the Difference?

Since there isn't much of a distinction between Hyper Casual and casual games, developers and entrepreneurs frequently make this error. However, nobody is at fault. It is simpler to look for business chances between these two game genres, though, if you know exactly which one would be more advantageous for you in terms of downloads or money.

Let's first define causal games before moving on to the comparative parts.

These games are distinguished by their straightforward rules, simple gameplay, and frequently brief playtimes. Most casual games are easily accessible and don't need a big time investment or a challenging learning curve. They could include card games, puzzles, simulations, and many other genres.

Here are certain things game performers should know about these mobile game genres, despite the fact that they sound a lot like Hyper Casual games.

How To Make Hyper Casual Games

After deciding on a game concept for the hyper-causal game, the following step is to create a roadmap that will allow the team to stay on the same page while also completing every part of game production in a more planned manner.

Here's how designers and developers can make Hyper Casual games:

1. Choose The Right Game Engine

Selecting an appropriate game engine is a critical component of the Hyper Casual game development process. Game engines serve as the foundation for game development, providing the tools and environment necessary to bring your ideas to life.

When selecting game engines for the development of Hyper Casual games, it is important to consider the interoperability with your target platforms, strong community support, and user-friendly interfaces.

Unity and Unreal Engine are both excellent choices for mobile game development if you have a Hyper Casual game concept. This is due to the fact that they offer user-friendly interfaces that facilitate the creation and production of Hyper Casual mobile games without requiring much coding experience.

2. Acquire Game Assets

The subsequent critical aspect of selecting game materials is the integration of elements such as characters, backgrounds, animations, and sound effects to bring your game concept to life.

Due to the casual and engaging nature of Hyper Casual games, the selection of materials that will ensure an engaging gaming experience is necessary. Incorporate memorable sound effects, straightforward yet colorful characters, and eye-catching visuals to ensure that your intended audience is attracted to your content.

3. Prioritize Gameplay

The player experience/engagement is the fundamental component of any game, and simplicity is the guiding principle in Hyper Casual games. In Hyper Casual games, player engagement is significantly enhanced by each touch or swipe.

In order to prioritize gameplay, it is necessary to create mechanics that are both easily comprehensible and captivating enough to maintain the interest of players. Ensure that the levels are progressively challenging, the controls are intuitive, and the overall gaming experience is seamless.

4. Develop A Prototype

Prototyping allows for the rapid evaluation of various concepts to ascertain which ones are most effective. It functions as a tangible representation of your game concept, enabling you to pinpoint and refine its fundamental components before commencing further development.

5. Prioritize Visuals

In Hyper Casual games, simplicity is of the utmost importance, and visuals are indispensable for immediately capturing the player's interest. In order to guarantee that the in-game elements are easily comprehensible and that they resonate with your target audience, it is crucial to choose vibrant colors, clean designs, and simple graphics.

6. Implement Effective Ad Placements

You can enhance the user experience and boost revenue by strategically positioning advertisements within your game. Advertisements may be implemented as optional boosts, during natural pauses, or between levels. The goal is to establish a harmonious equilibrium by providing participants with value without interfering with their gaming experience.

Choose non-intrusive formats, such as rewarded ads, that offer players in-game benefits in exchange for viewing. Additionally, adjust ad placements in accordance with player behavior and monitor user engagement.

7. Optimize For Performance

A performance-focused approach guarantees that your Hyper Casual game is distinctive, whether it involves optimizing code, minimizing load times, or streamlining graphics. Begin by optimizing the game's components to guarantee that they function seamlessly on a variety of devices, including tablets and smartphones.

Additionally, optimizing coding efficiency, reducing the number of superfluous features, and streamlining graphics can enhance the player's experience.

8. Soft Launch And Testing

It is imperative to evaluate the game's functionality, identify potential issues, and collect user feedback prior to releasing it to your intended audience. By obtaining constructive user reactions on engagement metrics and any technical glitches after releasing the game to a limited audience, the developers can make necessary adjustments to enhance the overall gameplay.

Also read: How Much Does Metaverse Game Development Cost in 2024?

Costs of Hyper Casual Game Development

Now that we’ve covered the development process, let’s dive into the costs associated with creating a Hyper Casual game. The overall cost of development can vary widely depending on factors such as the game's complexity, the development team's size, and the quality of the art and sound assets.

Here’s a breakdown of the key cost factors:

Game Concept and Prototyping

Creating the initial concept and prototype is often one of the least expensive stages. If you’re using free or low-cost game engines like Unity, the main expenses at this stage will be related to time and potential outsourcing of simple tasks, such as:

Concept development: $0 - $1,000 (depending on whether you do it yourself or hire a freelancer)
Prototyping tools: Free or low-cost game engines like Unity or Buildbox
Playtesting: Free (with friends and family) or $500+ (if using paid testing services)

Game Design and Art

While Hyper Casual games are known for their simplicity, high-quality art and animations can still come with a price tag. The cost of game art depends on whether you hire an in-house artist, work with freelancers, or use pre-made assets.

2D/3D assets: $1,000 - $5,000 (depending on the complexity and number of assets)
Animations: $500 - $3,000
User Interface (UI) design: $1,000 - $3,000

Programming and Development

The programming cost will depend on the size of your development team and the complexity of the game. If you’re a solo developer, your costs will be limited to tools and any external help you hire.

Developer salary (if outsourcing): $5,000 - $30,000 (based on developer rates and time required)
Game engine (Unity, Unreal, Buildbox): Free to $1,500 (depending on the plan you choose)
Third-party tools or plugins: $100 - $1,000 (for specific features like leaderboards or analytics)

Sound and Music

While Hyper Casual games don’t require elaborate soundtracks, sound effects and simple background music are important for enhancing the player experience.

Sound effects: $100 - $500 (depending on the number of sound effects)
Background music: $200 - $1,000
Voiceovers (if needed): $100 - $500

Testing and QA

Quality assurance (QA) is essential to ensure that your game runs smoothly across various devices. You may need to hire testers or use paid testing services.

In-house or freelance testers: $500 - $2,000
Device testing services: $500 - $1,500

Marketing and Launch

Marketing can be a significant expense, especially if you’re looking to achieve a wide reach.

App Store Optimization (ASO): $500 - $2,000
Social media marketing: $500 - $5,000
Paid ads (Facebook, Instagram, Google Ads): $1,000 - $10,000
Influencer marketing: $500 - $5,000

Total Estimated Cost Range: $11,500 - $71,500

These costs can vary based on the complexity of your game, the team size, and the quality of assets.

Here’s a summary table outlining the estimated costs of developing a Hyper Casual game based on key factors:

Tips for Reducing Costs

Creating a Hyper Casual game doesn’t have to break the bank. Here are some tips to reduce development costs without sacrificing quality:

Leverage free or affordable game engines like Unity or Buildbox for prototyping and development.

Outsource only the tasks you can’t handle yourself, such as complex programming or specialized art assets. Hiring freelancers on platforms like Upwork or Fiverr can help reduce costs.

Use pre-made assets from platforms like the Unity Asset Store to save time and money on art creation.

Before investing in paid testing services, test your game with friends, family, or local gaming communities to gather feedback.

Start by developing your game for one platform (iOS or Android) to save on development and testing costs. You can always expand to other platforms later.

How Vasundhara Infotech Stands Out in Hyper Casual Game Development?

We are committed to providing extraordinary services that will enable you to realize your gaming concepts. This is why we are one of the most prominent game development studios. Vasundhara Infotech is dedicated to the development of Hyper Casual games that are both engaging and addictive. They achieve this by combining technical expertise, innovation, and creativity, resulting in some of the most captivating games in any genre.

We provide a wide range of game development services, enabling clients to either employ our experienced designers and developers or outsource entire projects to our skilled team. Our team of expert designers and developers is dedicated to transforming your concepts into captivating Hyper Casual games that captivate audiences worldwide. They are endowed with the necessary skills and creativity.

We have you covered, whether you are interested in hiring our expert designers and developers or outsourcing your entire project.

Also read: Why Choose Vasundhara Infotech for Best Game Development Solution?

Conclusion

Developing a Hyper Casual game can be a rewarding and profitable endeavor if approached with the right strategy. From coming up with a simple yet engaging concept to creating polished visuals and ensuring smooth gameplay, each step plays a crucial role in the success of your game. By understanding the development process and costs involved, you’ll be better equipped to create a Hyper Casual game that captures the attention of players and stands out in a crowded market.

If you're looking to develop a high-quality Hyper Casual game at affordable costs, Vasundhara Infotech is the perfect partner to bring your ideas to life. With our vast expertise in mobile game development, we offer comprehensive hyper casual game development services tailored to meet your needs. Our experienced team of developers, designers, and artists ensures that your game is not only visually appealing but also optimized for top-tier performance.

We provide flexible development solutions, helping you manage costs while delivering engaging, addictive gameplay. Whether you're a startup or a well-established company, we guide you through every stage of game development — from concept to launch — ensuring your success in the Hyper Casual game market.

Contests

Forums

Whiz Picks