Hyper-Casual Trend Digest #14
December, as usual, was one of the most packed and crazy months. We researched to help you catch up on all the news and trends you might have missed.
HYPER NEWS 🗞
🔗 Google says it will pay $700M as a part of Play Store dispute settlement
Google settles a nationwide antitrust case for $700 million, dividing funds for consumers and states. Terms include alternative in-app pricing and simplified sideloading over four years. The $700 million represents about 21 days of Google Play Store profit, sparking discussions on app store fees post-Epic Games’ win.
🔗 Apple TestFlight “teraleak” exposes thousands of beta apps as far back as 2012
Leaked TestFlight archives from 2012 to 2015, known as “teraleak,” expose beta files of iOS apps and games. The massive leak includes early builds of modern and legacy titles, originating from the Wayback Machine accessing server files through Apple’s TestFlight. This is significant for game preservationists, offering access to titles no longer publicly available.
🔗”Netflix will have nearly 90 games by the end of the year
Netflix advances as a gaming hub, launching 40 titles, testing on TV and computers, and updating for a personalized experience. By year-end, 86 games will be available, with 90 more in development, including those tied to Rebel Moon and Squid Game universes.”
🔗Africa and India are in Microsoft’s sights for ad-supported game streaming
Microsoft explores Game Pass expansion with new tiers, considering an ad-based model. CFO Tim Stuart envisions xCloud game streaming for broader accessibility in regions like Africa, India, and Southeast Asia. The proposed model suggests watching a short ad for two hours of game streaming, making high-end gaming more accessible on mobile devices.
🔗 Apple’s privacy push continues with big implications come “Spring 2024”
Apple introduces new privacy rules for iOS, emphasizing transparency for third-party SDKs. – Apple aims to close loopholes in popular iOS SDKs to enhance user privacy. Developers must act before the “Spring 2024” deadline to avoid App Store removal. Despite the 2021 option to deny data collection, 44% of hypercasual gamers still opt-in.
🔗 Microsoft in discussions with potential partners over mobile app store for games
Microsoft is developing its game app store to provide more choice on mobile platforms. This aligns with the strategy to ensure Xbox’s relevance, with a possible 2024 launch. Microsoft hopes the EU’s Digital Markets Act will open Apple and Google platforms to other app stores, envisioning a broader Xbox presence through Game Pass across devices.
And some fresh stats for you 👀 :
– China’s video games market recovers in 2023, domestic sales surpass $42.6 bln
– Hybridcasual conquers the $2 billion mark in 2023
HYPER TRENDS 📱
Time for movies and TV series
Many platforms have recapped the year and IMDb is no exception. You can see the best projects of 2023 here.
The origin story of renegade warrior Furiosa before her encounter and teamup with Mad Max.
Godzilla and Kong must work together against an undiscovered threat that threatens the Hollow Earth and the surface.
When a peaceful settlement on the edge of a distant moon finds itself threatened by the armies of a tyrannical ruling force, a mysterious stranger living among its villagers becomes their best hope for survival.
Black Manta seeks revenge on Aquaman for his father’s death. Wielding the Black Trident’s power, he becomes a formidable foe. To defend Atlantis, Aquaman forges an alliance with his imprisoned brother. They must protect the kingdom.
Trends on YouTube, TikTok, Imgur, etc.
There were a few interesting trends in December, let’s take a look at some examples.
Modification of a user or an animal (example 1, 2 and 3) was a popular theme now.
thekittyandrea | thekittyandrea | bluedragon1813
It seems like everyone is still trying to get back on the working rhythm, apparently the trends are too 🙂
In the meantime, let’s take another look at the use of Christmas themes in videos.
Matt Larose | Reddit | gettishow
Obstacle courses, balls and balloons in a variety of uses.
- Balloon Pop Lights Racing.
- Pentago: a Two Player Strategy Game.
- Ball game.
howridiculous | games4two | woodyandkleiny
New TikTok effects
The first set of filters are mini-games with colored elements with different mechanics.
- You need to put the paper elements together correctly to get the picture. A mini-game “Origami Santa” in the format of a filter.
- Color puzzle also in filter format.
- Can you get a perfect score? A lego-themed mini-game “Lego Drop” in the form of a filter.
ornellazocco26 | evilash_gvng | oddstrich
We hope you’ve been waiting for trending templates and fun trends 🙂
- Popular CapCut template with a turtle playing a saxophone.
- A meme with a wolf and the phrase “Ich will nicht“.
- Popular template with cats.
merme.lada | y4ssn_e | day1day365
Trend-based projects
In this selection of trend-based projects, we will again look at new projects with the character Pomni, as well as a few projects where you will see other popular trends that have been around for years.
MAGIC GAME | SOFY GLOBAL | Casual Games For Fun
Zin Games | Muzaib Ali | USAYA
💡 SPOTLIGHT ON …
This month our spotlight turns on a notable trend in puzzles. There’s a rise in games featuring the merging mechanics of objects, where users engage in achieving specific goals, such as assembling a mechanism or painting a house.
Cutting Merge | Merge Fix | Cap Master | Painting Match
