I first wanted to write that in german language, but i realized that this is too important for everyone of us to shut someone out, so i wrote it in english. Please excuse a few typing errors, for i am legastenic.
During this years E3, we saw a massive change in the industry. A change, that goes on for years now, unrecognized but growing.
The casual gamers grow.
It started with the announcement of microsofts avatar system, a cheap Mii ripoff, but clever nontheless.
however, people who own an XBox 360 probably wont give a damn, and the few who will wont base their decision of what console to buy on the fact that the avatars have necks, and the Miis have too, but microsoft choses to ignore them. Who cares anyway?
Core gamers were dissapointed by Nintendo, and the lack of hardcore games. Sony gamers got what they always get, a graphicsl overhaul over an already exisiting game. microsoft is still doing their best, namely stealing, and in pc gameing... was there even any pc gaming at E3 anymore?
thing is, casual games are big. they bring the developers big bucks, big money for little ivnestment. they almost allways sell, and they sell long, not just the ten week span after its release, no they have legs.
look at games like zuma, the clumsys or moorhuhn (chicken shoot)
those games exist for years now, adn are still popular, with new entries any day and each one sells.
nobody gives a damn about a bad game if its only 5 bucks. but the company can make thousands of dollars/euros with those budget games.
you can even sell them online, in those online game portals, and you will sell units.
but what about the hobby game developer, you ask? it is pretty simple.
over the course of four years, a hobby game developer seperated itself from a professionald eveloper miles.
when a game in 2003 had OK graphics, ususally, you were able to reproduce something similar with your hobby team, if you tried hard and knew your stuff.
nowadays, this is just not possible.
not matter what any fanboy of any engine says, if you use a game developing tool like A7, Torque or irrlicht, you may create good lookign results, but those are miles away from what a really god looking game nowadays looks like.
the next hook is, that game developers, especially wannabe game developers, are blinded by the "knowledge" of the internet and tutorials.
they may create a shader or even their own real model, but they are mssing the basics in design and gameplay, because those are things yu learn over time. and this is something, most people dont want to invest. no wonder gamemaker booms, or shooter creator, because you get results easy.
there is a chance, that of 100 "develoeprs" 2 actually finish a game, and 1 of those 2 is actually good. and that is probably a casual game.
you just have to look into the forums. the best games, games, not projects, mind you, are casual games. a7ttitude for example. casual as hell, but fun as hell aswell.
this game is actually worth money, if HeelX gets rid of the A7 monicker and creates a few more graphics and his own music.
you can sell that for 10 bucks online and you get money out of it.
when i released Monster Mega Mayhem, i soon realized that there is no money in hardcore games for us hobby developers anymore. but with casual, there is.
who do you think creates casual games? Nowadays, ubisoft and co realized their money is in casual, but years ago, people like you and me did.
the creator of "Moorhuhn" is rich today. he had nothing back in the day. david jaffe did not create zuma. some unknown dude from somewhere did, and he has his cash now.
the future, my friends, lies in casual gaming for us. hardcore gaming will not die. it never will. but people with money and hardware will create those game sin the future. and if you want to be one of them, get a good idea, create a casual game, take your time, look for a good way to distribute and then you can start being the man who does the hardcore game.
and, on a special note for all the newbies here: dont get me wrong. it is good you want to create a game. but dont think it is going to be easy.
creating a game needs the same things like creating music: knowhow, time and especially money. the best games take each of those. start small, and learn. you never know enough!
hope that helps
