“With games by far the most popular app category in different app stores, there have been countless ports of American-developed games that have languished in the other countries’ respective app stores. Each failure, of course, is unique – there’s a specific reason why a specific game failed to make it – but all those failures are consistent with a list of general tried and true principles. It’s not rocket science, though; there are specific reasons that games fail, and there are specific things – among them localizing the game, and properly monetizing it – that developers can do to ensure a greater chance of success when they try to enter new markets.”
Want to read more?
Check out the latest article by Ilyon‘s Head of Marketing, Adi Haddad, on important aspects of launching a mobile game in a new market.
So what it is that makes video games so great? One of the main reasons, according to my fellow team members, is the fact that a game successfully manages to create a world of its own. A world of fantasy completed with its own rules, history, and culture, which allows players to explore fun environments and to develop and practice meaningful skills.
The third and last part of our Video Games blog series presents the last two recommendations from the Ilyon team. Last but not least are Zina and Ben who told me about the unique gameplay that keeps them engaged with a game and stimulates planning and strategy skills.
Illustrator
What Is Your Favorite Video Game?
The game that I like is Bastion
What Can You Tell Me About the Game?
Bastion is an action role-playing video game about a “Kid” who wakes up in a ruined world and throughout the game tries to find some answers and figure out his way.
Why Do You Like It?
I enjoy the flowing gameplay and the fact that I have to think and use my abilities to face challenges. The storyline is linear but well built, it’s nice that the game allows the player to pick his own challenges and to decide if his/her road is going to be easy or difficult. A particularly strong point in the game is the role of the narrator who relates what happens and everything that the kid does. And of course the beautiful artwork and the wonderful soundtrack which works perfectly with the voice of the narrator.
What Is Your Favorite Video Game?
My all-time favorite game is Heroes of Might and Magic and I have been playing it since childhood.
What Can You Tell Me About the Game?
Heroes of Might and Magic is a turn-based strategy game (a game where players take turns when playing) in which you can choose your character-hero, build an army and attack other players. Each character is different and has its own skills, their own points of weakness and strength and it’s interesting to see how it affects the gameplay.
Why Do You Like It?
It’s a fun social game, you can play it for hours with your friends. You have to think and plan your strategy as each battle is like a game of chess, this way it allows the player to have the time to evaluate the gameplay and figure out how the game works. It’s also a matter of nostalgia for me as I have been playing this game since I was a kid.
As I look back at the fun journey I went through with Tamar, Erez, Alex, Zina, and Ben, it becomes clear to me that their stories have something essential in common. The likability of the games they have talked about lies in the fact that they have enabled players to practice some important life skills. From the realization that your character’s actions have consequences to his “game life”, dealing with frustrating situations and learning to collaborate with others. So maybe video games are not necessarily a shelter from reality but a tool that can help us in dealing with this reality?
Want to share your favorite game? I would be happy to hear about it!
If you liked Tamar’s recommendations of Video Games in our previous blog post, you’ll certainly be interested to read about the favorite games Erez and Alex enjoy and about the special features they like in these games. This second part of our Video Games series deals with the fun and social side of games which keeps players hooked for years without getting enough. Ready to find out what are the games that Alex and Erez particularly like? Let’s dig in.
What Is Your Favorite Video Game?
My favorite game is Smite and I have been playing this game for years.
What Can You Tell Me About the Game?
Smite is a third-person multiplayer video game which allows players to choose a mythological God or a figure and take part in team-based combats. You play this game together with other players and you communicate via messaging, voice commands and even Skype.
Why Do You Like It?
First, the design of the characters is very good. Each one has its own special traits, an accent and a sense of humor so you actually feel attached to the character and begin to like him or her. Another thing that I like about the game is its social part. The social side of the game is expressed through the dynamics you form with your group – you can bring other players down or cheer them up with the right attitude, it’s very important as the game is based on cooperation.
Undoubtedly, the game is very challenging and it makes you think. It’s a competition so you have to use your mind, learn the game’s mechanic and think well about how you want to shape your character. In the personal aspect, I believe that the game teaches you a thing or two on how to deal with frustration and with situations that are out of your control.
What Is Your Favorite Video Game?
My all-time favorite game is HearthStone: Heroes of Warcraft
What Can You Tell Me About the Game?
HearthStone is a casual turn-based card game between two opponents. Each player controls a hero and the main goal is to kill the enemy’s hero in the card game, the first hero to die will lose the game. The game plays in turns, every player has to draw cards from a custom created deck, and has a move he can make with limited resources – like play 1 cheap card on the first turn, or play multiple cards later on when the game progresses.
Why Do You Like It?
I like it because it is a casual game that allows me to play as much or as little as I can, even with a busy life, and still remain good at it because the learning curve is fairly easy and the game does not require a time investment to enjoy or be good. The main feature that I like about the game is the speed of the match which takes 10 to 15 minutes tops, and also the strategy and thinking aspects of the game.
Stay put for the third and final part of our special Video Games series. You don’t want to miss what Zina and Ben had to share about their favorite games.
Be sure to share with us your favorite games of all time, I would certainly be interested to find out about that special game that has captivated you 🙂
More to follow…