Innovative Trends in Match-3 Games: The Future of Engaging Gameplay

Innovative Trends in Match-3 Games: The Future of Engaging Gameplay

‘Game in Spotlight’ is an initiative by AIGF to highlight the innovation being undertaken in the gaming industry by deconstructing various popular online games. In our second edition, we bring to you one of the most popular mobile game formats: match-3.

Captivating millions of players across various age groups and platforms, match-3 games trace their roots back to the early days of video games. in the 1980s tile-matching puzzle games like “Tetris” by the Russian designer Alexey Pajitnov and? Kuniaki Moribe’s Chain Shot! gained popularity. Various designers riffed on this popular format to create their own versions of match-3 games.

Tetris as created by Alexey Pajitnov in 1984

The form, as we know it today, was presented first by Russian programmer Eugene Alemzhin in his little-known 1994 PC ball-matching game, Shariki. However, it was after the launch of "Bejeweled" by PopCap Games in 2001 that the match-3 genre became the most popular in the world. Bejewelled borrowed from Shariki, swapping balls in the original game to gems. The simple gameplay mechanics of aligning three or more gems struck a chord with gamers worldwide, leading to numerous adaptations and iterations.

Bejeweled was then on dozens of other platforms, from handhelds to consoles and other devices, becoming one of the first downloadable games from iTunes for Apple’s iPod in 2006 and later available as the first web app game for the first iPhone. Having left an indelible mark on match-3 games, Bejeweled has now been taken over by Candy Crush as the most popular match-3 game in the world.

Candy Crush Saga's monetization strategy relies more heavily on in-app purchases, with players often spending money to buy additional moves or power-ups to complete challenging levels. Candy Crush, on the other hand, has a more balanced approach, relying on both in-app purchases and advertisements to generate revenue.

In recent years, Candy Crush maker King.com has ventured into the esports scene, seeking to capitalize on the growing popularity of competitive gaming. In 2019, King launched the Candy Crush Saga Championships, a series of online tournaments open to players worldwide. Competitors faced off in head-to-head matches, with the top players advancing to the live finals. The championships offered a substantial prize pool, attracting both casual and competitive players.

Closer to home, we have Mili Match by Giga Fun Studios where match-3 puzzles are required to win coins enough to progress the story of Mili - a wedding planner helping brides through their weddings. Mili Match has seamlessly blended the cultural aspects of the Big Fat Indian Wedding with the gameplay of a match-3 puzzle to create a narrative that is culturally relevant and engaging.

Mili Match by Giga Fun Studios uses match-3 puzzles to help Mili plan an Indian wedding

Characterized by their intuitive gameplay mechanics, match-3 games with their easy-to-learn rules, lower the entry barrier and make the games more accessible to newcomers. The short gameplay sessions also make it the ideal genre “to pick up and drop on the go.”

Among real money games, MPL’s Block Puzzle presents three different block patterns simultaneously. The player has to place these on the 9x9 grid. The objective is to fill the vertical and horizontal lines to clear the cells and make room for more blocks to score higher than one’s opponent within 2 minutes. This leverages the nostalgia from ‘Tetris’ while controlled time makes the gameplay such that the most skilled player wins.

The integration of social elements, such as leaderboards, achievements, and multiplayer modes, has become increasingly common in match-3 games. This fosters competition among players, enhances user engagement, and provides opportunities for community building.

Match-3 games have become a force to be reckoned with in the video game industry. Their widespread appeal, gameplay, and innovative monetization models have contributed to their immense success. By embracing emerging technologies and exploring new collaborations, match-3 games will continue to captivate players and remain at the forefront of the gaming landscape. As developers embrace the incredible potential of this genre, the future holds endless possibilities for match-3 games to evolve and thrive.

Rravi RATHOR

Head - South Asia | Sales, Business Development

4 个月

Integrating all the social media elements like leaderboards, achievements, and multiplayer modes will help foster gaming players, communities, and organizations with Match 3 games. Very Insightful! thanks for sharing!!!

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