Why premium, quick-fix mobile games won me over

Do you remember playing “Snake” on a monochrome phone -- Nokia 3310?

Fast forward to this day, mobile gaming has evolved into a multi-billion dollar industry.

Mobile games can be entertaining and are no doubt addictive in nature. Depending on how you view mobile games and the frequency an user interacts with gaming apps, mobile games can be a productivity booster or become one of the factors affecting counterproductive work behaviour.

Knowing the degree to which mobile games could potentially influence an individual’s behaviour, I have always consciously keep track of the number and the quality of mobile games installed on my smartphone.

For starters, I tend to be drawn towards games that would not require too much of my time and ‘commitment’. Games that allow me to acquire and build an inventory or build an empire over time are never my cup of tea. I find it tough to relate to the sense of fulfilment in association to the possessions of virtual objects, in addition to the time loss for repeatedly checking on the growth of my virtual army or possessions. The opportunity cost is simply too high. I might as well spend the time acquiring new knowledge from online articles or podcasts freely accessible on the World Wide Web.

Quick-fix mobile games, however, are great in firing up an idle mind or as a temporary relief for a psyche bogged down by the daily grind. Quick-fix mobile games are games you can jump in and out relatively fast, where each gaming session holds a narrative of its own.

While there are more and more game developers offering free-to-play casual games (with one caveat — free to download with in-app purchase option), due to a love for beautifully designed high quality mobile apps and games, I do not mind paying a one time price between USD 1.99 to USD 3.99 for a more well designed mobile gaming experience.

Game titles such as Monument Valley, Shadowmatic and Alto’s Adventure are among my personal favourites. I love them specifically because each game proved to be delightful, thanks to the designers who took a more artistic approach in the development of the games.

When done right, a gratifying mobile game would hit all the right notes in terms of sight, sound and overall gaming experience.