The Pipeline for Building a Killer Hybrid Mobile Game

Below, CrazyLabs’ Senior Publishing Manager shares his pipeline that he recommends to his studios when building a hybrid game.?

1. Define Your Target Audience

The player is key to your game’s success. Below are a few important elements to keep in mind when ideating:?

• Demographics: For example, are you targeting younger, fast-paced players or an older audience that enjoys strategic challenges?
• Behavioral Traits: Do they prefer quick bursts of gameplay or longer, immersive sessions?
• Motivations: What will keep them coming back—competition, achievement, or relaxation?

A clear audience persona helps guide everything from the art style to the progression system.

For Alien Invasion, it was crucial to identify that the target audience consisted of 20- to 35-year-old males, appealing to both hardcore and casual gamers. This meant the game needed an exciting core loop that allowed for easy, bite-sized sessions while also providing long-term, clear progression. Successfully combining these two elements was key to the game's success.

1. Craft Gameplay That Resonates

Hybrid-casual games must strike a balance between the simplicity of hyper-casual and the depth of mid-core gaming. The way to go about this is through implementing the below strategies:?

• Accessible Core Loops: Ensure the game is easy to pick up but challenging to master.
• Layered Complexity: Introduce features like upgrades, character development, or evolving challenges to engage long-term players.
• Social Elements: Features like leaderboards, friend challenges, or limited-time events can foster retention and virality.

An excellent example for both core loops and layered complexity is Bus Frenzy by CrazyLabs. The gameplay is simple and intuitive, yet the difficulty and challenge escalate quickly. Since Bus Frenzy’s gameplay is easy to understand there is only one quick tutorial level before introducing a very challenging level 2.?

Additionally, tailoring the level funnel to balance growing difficulty with fun and intuitive gameplay is essential for maintaining player engagement. This is also why, in Bus Frenzy, each new feature or challenge is introduced one by one in a progressive manner.

1. Design a Monetization Strategy That Fits

Not all monetization models are the same. The key is to align your revenue streams with player preferences. I recommend experimenting with:?

• Rewarded Ads (RVs): Perfect for players who enjoy quick rewards, like boosters or retries, without the need to make financial commitments.
• In-App Purchases (IAPs): Offer optional upgrades or exclusive content for players who are willing to invest in enhancing their experience.
• Subscription Models: Ideal for games with high retention, subscriptions generate steady income while providing dedicated players with premium perks.

Are you ready to build your next hit? Start by applying these strategies to your own pipeline and watch your game come to life.