Sid Meier, the renowned developer behind the iconic game Civilization, has sounded a warning to the mobile game development industry about the importance of gameplay in driving success. In an interview with BBC, Meier highlighted the need for developers to focus on creating engaging and enjoyable experiences for players, rather than solely relying on monetization strategies.
The gaming landscape has undergone significant changes since 1991, when Civilization first debuted. What was once a niche industry is now worth more than the movie and music industries combined. The rise of mobile gaming has further transformed the scene, with in-app purchases and microtransactions becoming a dominant force in driving revenue.
However, Meier warns that relying too heavily on monetization tactics can lead to a loss of audience engagement. "The real challenge and the real opportunity is keeping our focus on gameplay," he emphasizes. "That is what is unique, special, and appealing about games as a form of entertainment. When we forget that, and decide it's monetization or other things that are not gameplay-focused, when we start to forget about making great games and start thinking about games as a vehicle or an opportunity for something else, that's when we stray a little bit further from the path."
The shift towards in-app purchases and microtransactions has been dramatic. According to Ampere Analysis, 79% of consumer spending on games globally was from in-app purchases, microtransactions, and add-on content in 2021. This trend is expected to continue growing.
Some mobile game development companies are also exploring the introduction of non-fungible-tokens (NFTs) into their games. While there are those who believe this is an inevitable part of gaming's future, a negative reaction from fans has forced some companies to rethink their plans.
Meier stresses that if major companies continue to focus on monetization strategies without prioritizing gameplay, they risk losing the audience. "People can assume that a game is going to be fun and what it needs for success are more cinematics or monetization or whatever - but if the core just is not there with good gameplay, then it won't work."
As the global mobile games market is forecasted to almost double in five years, Meier emphasizes the importance of continued investment in game design and gameplay. "In a sense, gameplay is cheap... The game design part is critical and crucial but doesn't require a cast of thousands in the way some of the other aspects do. So it's perhaps easy to overlook how important the investment in game design and gameplay is."
With the UK mobile games industry worth £7bn, Meier cautions that continued growth isn't guaranteed. "There are lots of other ways that people can spend their leisure time... I think the way the internet works, once a shift starts to happen, then everybody runs to that side of the ship."
As Sid Meier himself has no plans to retire just yet, he's seen a gratifying change in public perception towards games. What was once considered a niche industry is now widely recognized as a viable and exciting career path.
By focusing on creating engaging mobile gaming experiences with strong gameplay at their core, developers can ensure continued success and growth in this lucrative market.