A recent report from Xconomy indicates that while the economy is circling ever closer to the drain, casual gaming is enjoying unprecendented success. Big Fish Games, a Seattle-based studio, enjoyed unprecedented revenue in October while the rest of the economy tanked, and with mobile computing on the rise, the spaces available for casual gaming to flex ts newly-found muscles are clearly on the rise. in fact, with more people unemployed and looking for cheap ways to fill their time, casual gaming may actually benefit from a downturn.
And that's good news for Canadian developers. Vancouver-based Nexon has Maple Story, one of the most popular MMOs in the world, earning a fortune in the Asian market, and Klei Entertainment not only scored a huge hit with N+ on the Xbox Live Arcade but is also working on Sugar Rush, their first original property (which is, interestingly enough, in closed beta with Nexon.)
Will casual games continue to succeed while other businesses fail? It stand to reason that affordable games serve not only as a distraction during tough times but also as a replacement for the big ticket items that are now simply out of reach for many consumers.
Big Fish Games is a global leader and innovator in the online games industry, producing and delivering the world's best games and game experiences.... [more]
Warren Frey
Warren Frey is a writer, editor, blogger and podcaster based out of Vancouver, BC. After working for six years in the Canadian broadcasting industry, he switched to print and has since covered varied assignments from plumbing conferences to star-studded film galas. But he’s never lost his love for the internet and interactive media, from his teens...[more]
