Cheap App Games Aren't Killing the Gaming Industry

App Games may be GOOD for the industry

I recently read an article that claimed that app games, you know, those ones that you can download on your phones for fairly affordable prices, are causing harm to gaming industry. As if short, cheap, enjoyable games are going to cause great financial harm to and/or bring down the big boys of the gaming industry. My first thoughts on this were, Stop being so dramatic! It's not like you don't charge astronomical prices for your games anyhow. As far as gameplay is concerned, perhaps rather than be afraid of app games, the industry should learn a lesson from them. People like these games because they are inexpensive, short, and over all fun. If you didn't dump tons of money in sequels because it's the safe thing to do, or create another shooter/fighter/sandbox clone that's been done a bazillion times before, then maybe you would be less stressed about your financial situation.

One key thing that app games bring to the table is mass appeal. Most people can pick them up and play without worrying about controls that are too complicated, or about where the next save point is. The games also go to show that the game mechanics of yesteryear aren't dead. Sometimes simpler is better. This is something that the modern industry has forgotten throughout the years. We want something new, something exciting, something enjoyable, but this doesn't mean updated graphics and crazy controls. What games need how are fresh creative stories, and exciting new ideas. Think outside the box and grasp our imagination, don't assault it.

Which brings me to my final thought; Games that are cheap to make, make it possible for independent developers to share their ideas with the world. Apps, along with online gaming, are great venues for finding interesting new games and ideas that may not have otherwise been seen or had the massive media coverage as larger video game titles. It takes some time to sift through a lot of terrible games, but the good ones are there if you look hard enough.

In conclusion, the gaming industry should not be afraid of trends in app gaming but rather embrace it as an aid to bring us better games. Learn from it, and work with what you learn. Console gaming isn't dead, and it won't be for years to come so long as you adapt.