Talk to any mobile gamer and – no matter how much they love mobile gaming – you’ll discover that there’s something they absolutely hate about mobile games, too. Whatever your pet peeve, most mobile gamers will agree that the following 5 things are detested by most.
1. Games with bugs
We’ve all been there, haven’t we? All wrapped up in a game and suddenly out of nowhere it freezes or you get booted. Game glitches and bugs are a real nuisance and can be hugely frustrating, especially if they occur frequently, at important points of the game or when you just want to take five minutes to enjoy yourself! While most developers release updates for their games that include bug fixes, take care that the flaw in the game isn’t linked to more serious security issues. The last thing you want to do is play a game with a security defect.
2. Simple mechanics
Many mobile games deliver extremely basic gameplay that some hardcore gamers simply can’t stand. For instance, you won’t find yourself challenged by the vast majority of casual games like Angry Birds or Candy Crush Saga. They’re simple, fast-to-play, repetitive and downright mind-numbing. Yet, the fun themes and simple mechanics of casual games are part of their mainstream charm and popularity. Even the haters of these games, who feel they’ll be the death of the game industry, probably play them in secret.
3. In-app purchases
If the word “freemium” makes you want to roll your eyes every time you hear it, that’s because you know that the word has nothing to do with free. Yes, with free-to-play games you can download the app “free”, but – for most of these apps – if you want to enjoy the full game experience or get the best stuff, you’ll have to pay for it. In-game purchases create a play-to-win situation where essentially spending money unlocks all the premium content and, without it, you won’t get the full enjoyment out of the game. The bottom line: “free” doesn’t mean “cheap”.
4. In-app ads
No gamers like ads but let’s face it, if you’re not going to download paid apps, you’re going to have to “pay” in some other way, whether that’s through in-app purchases or seeing in-game ads. Hate them or not, the simple fact of the matter is that developers need to make money somehow, so really, it’s up to you whether or not you pay out of your pocket or pay with your time.
5. No end in sight
Not every game is about reaching a certain objective. Some games, like endless runners, such as Temple Run, Subway Surfers and Despicable Me, are about playing for a high score. These addictive time-wasters are arguably the most simplistic and un-imaginative casual games out there and are a modern-twist on an old game formula introduced decades ago. There is absolutely nothing revolutionary about them.
