Casual games have taken the world by storm in recent years, with their easy-to-learn mechanics and accessibility appealing to players of all ages. In this article, we take a closer look at some of the top casual game developers today, including well-known studios like Rovio and PopCap Games, as well as up-and-comers like Voodoo. We explore what sets these developers apart, their most popular games, and what makes their approach to game design unique. With the continued growth of the mobile gaming market, we can expect to see even more exciting and engaging casual games from these developers and many more in the future.
Rovio
One of the most well-known casual game developers is Rovio Entertainment, the creators of the massively popular mobile game Angry Birds. Founded in 2003 in Finland, Rovio started out as a mobile game development studio, but it wasn’t until the release of Angry Birds in 2009 that they truly hit it big. The game quickly became a cultural phenomenon, spawning multiple sequels, spin-offs, and even a feature film. Since the release of Angry Birds, Rovio has continued to innovate and release new games, with some of their most successful titles including Bad Piggies, Battle Bay, and Angry Birds 2.
Recently, SEGA announced that it has agreed to pay around $773 million in an effort to “strengthen its position” in the global gaming market, BBC writes. “Among the rapidly growing global gaming market, the mobile gaming market has especially high potential, and it has been Sega’s long-term goal to accelerate its expansion in this field,” Sega Sammy Holdings’ CEO Haruki Satomi told the press.
Pragmatic Play
Another casual game developer to watch is Pragmatic Play, one of the top South African casino software providers today. Founded in 2015, this Malta-based studio has quickly risen to prominence in the world of online casino gaming. Pragmatic Play is known for its high-quality video slots, which feature immersive graphics, engaging themes, and exciting bonus features. Some of their most popular titles include Wolf Gold, Sweet Bonanza, and The Dog House.
Pragmatic Play has won several awards for its games, including the EGR B2B Awards for Innovation in Slot Provision and Software Rising Star. The company has also partnered with many leading online casinos, such as Betsson and LeoVegas, to provide their games to players around the world.
PopCap Games
PopCap Games, the creators of the wildly popular game Plants vs. Zombies, is among the veterans of the casual gaming industry. Founded in 2000, PopCap Games has released many successful casual games over the years, including Bejeweled, Peggle, and Zuma. Plants vs. Zombies was released in 2009 and quickly became a hit, spawning multiple sequels and spin-offs. The game is known for its quirky and humorous art style, as well as its addictive gameplay mechanics.
PopCap Games was acquired by Electronic Arts (EA) in 2011 but continues to operate independently as a subsidiary of EA. The company has released many successful mobile games in recent years, including Plants vs. Zombies 2, which has been downloaded over 150 million times.
King
King is another notable casual game developer, best known for the hugely popular mobile game Candy Crush Saga. Founded in 2003, King has created a number of hit mobile games, including Candy Crush Soda Saga, Farm Heroes Saga, and Bubble Witch Saga. Candy Crush Saga was released in 2012 and quickly became a cultural phenomenon, with players around the world spending hours on end trying to complete the game’s challenging levels.
King was acquired by Activision Blizzard in 2016 but continues to operate under its own brand, as a subsidiary of the company. King has released many successful mobile games in recent years, with Candy Crush Saga still one of the most popular games on the App Store and Google Play.
Voodoo
Among the up-and-coming casual game developers, one of the most notable is Voodoo, a French studio known for creating addictive and challenging mobile games. Founded in 2013, Voodoo has released many successful games, including Helix Jump, Baseball Boy!, and Aquapark.io. Helix Jump, in particular, has been a massive success, with over 200 million downloads worldwide.
Voodoo is known for creating games with simple mechanics and intuitive controls, but with a high level of challenge and difficulty. The company has a unique approach to game design, with a focus on creating games that are easy to learn but difficult to master.
In conclusion
Overall, the world of casual game development is full of talented and innovative developers who continue to push the boundaries of what’s possible in this rapidly growing industry. Aside from the big names we mentioned above, there are many other talented casual game developers out there, each with their own unique style and approach to game design. Some notable developers include Halfbrick Studios, the creators of Fruit Ninja and Jetpack Joyride; ZeptoLab, the developers of Cut the Rope; and Outfit7, the creators of the Talking Tom and Friends franchise.
Whether it’s the addictive gameplay of Candy Crush Saga or the immersive graphics of Pragmatic Play’s video slots, there is something for everyone in the world of casual gaming. As the popularity of mobile gaming continues to rise, we can expect to see even more exciting and engaging casual games from these developers and many more in the years to come.
