I'm starting to think that people who talk about "Casual" gamers tend to have the least understanding of what a "Casual" gamer is ... The "Casual" gamer market is actually made up of several demographics that each have their own hopes and desires on what they want from games. The following is a list of some of the (not mutually exclusive) demographics who are "Casual" gamers:
- "Core" gamers
- Social Gamers (people who play games in social situations)
- Lapsed Gamers (people who used to play games a lot, but don't do as much anymore)
- (pre)Teen girl gamers (aged 11 through 17)
- Women gamers (aged 18+)
- Mature gamers (adults over 45 years old)
This list is no where near complete but it demonstrates why Ubisoft's approach is so bad; their games like Babiez and Petz have content which may appeal to the youger Teen Girl gamers, but they miss the mark with (practically) everyone else. In contrast look at Boom Blox which is selling with the characteristic "slow and steady pace" of a popular "Casual" game and you can see why it is (will be) a game with good sales; the game is a quality and unique gameplay experience which attracts "core" gamers, it has excellent multiplayer options which appeal to social gamers, it has an arcade feel which appeals to lapsed gamers, it has a very "cute" art style which appeals to (pre)Teen girl gamers, and the slower paced (turn based) gameplay which is focused on strategy appeals to many Women and Mature gamers.
