Hybrid Casual Games - A Guide For Mobile Game Developers

Mobile game development is constantly evolving and as with any evolution, new genres and sub-genres emerge. In the case of mobile app games, the new kid on the block is Hybrid Casual. These games sit between Hyper Casual games and Casual games, taking elements of each and merging them into a new sub-category.

Let’s take a look at what makes Hybrid Casual games such an exciting and playable new genre.

Watch our Head of Product, Nilay Patel , run through their features in this comprehensive video:

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To start with, Hybrid Casual games have more features than Hyper Casual games (which you play for shorter periods of time and tend to generate revenue by showing ads to players).

Key differences: Hyper Casual vs Hybrid Casual

A notable difference in Hybrid Casual games is the addition of meta. A meta consists of systems and mechanics that enhance the core gameplay, providing additional features and depth. Unlike Hyper Casual games, which either lacked a meta or tightly integrated it with the core game, Hybrid Casual games combine long-term, deep meta mechanics with a concise and simple core game, offering the best of both worlds.

It's essential to note that metagames aren't exclusively inspired by Casual games. This provides developers with the opportunity to invent new meta layers to complement their Hybrid Casual games. The introduction of a meta opens up avenues for diverse monetisation, including carefully balanced economies, selling "frustration alleviation", offering speed and progress, and selling unique items for personalisation.

Hybrid Casual games find success with in-app purchases (IAPs) due to their deeper engagement levels. While not all Hybrid Casual games follow the same monetisation scheme, their deeper engagement allows for innovative methods compared to Hyper Casual games, where developers often rely on ad revenue and games are designed for shorter entertainment periods.

On the flip side we can differentiate Hybrid Casual and Casual games. Titles like Candy Crush and Royal Match are Casual games and have noticeably more depth and features which keep players hooked for longer. In games industry jargon this means higher engagement, which in turn allows longer user-lifetimes. In terms of monetisation, Casual games lean more on IAPs than both Hyper Casual and Hybrid Casual games, with the rare appearance of an in-game ad in some titles.

We’ve only scratched the surface of Hybrid Casual games. In our blog post, we answer two key questions on everyone’s mind - are Hybrid Casual games replacing Hyper Casual games and how do you make a Hybrid Casual game?