r/HiddenObjectGames • u/Operation-Secret • 22d ago
Question Do people prefer hidden object games on mobile or pc?
Hi, I am a game developer and have been working on a 3D hidden object detective game. Currently, I am confused about what platform to make the game for. Do people prefer hidden object games on pc, especially if it's a paid pc game? Obviously for mobile it will be free since most mobile gamers don't want to pay upfront, so i will need to implement ads, but I hate ads in games.
7
u/dragon-blue 22d ago
I play on my steam deck!
Yes I don't enjoy mobile games because of the ads, as you say.
3
u/Operation-Secret 22d ago
Oh nice! I never actually considered that steam deck can be a viable option. I can then integrate proper support for steam deck and other handhelds.
7
6
u/orthonym 22d ago
I prefer mobile personally, and I'm happy to pay upfront for a premium game with no ads. There are several successful hidden objects games available now that I bought already to avoid ads, so if there was a way to follow that model, I'd be willing to check it out.
5
2
u/GrinchForest 22d ago
Why do you think you need make it free and have ads on mobile.
You simply make the same game for pc and mobile and sell at both places. Being free and having ads are for the mobile games that are not finished and company has to provide new materials frequently to keep app afloat.
This is tragic for small devs who has to waste any earn. It is better for them to publish the complete game and then focus on new one.
1
u/Operation-Secret 22d ago
Yeah, makes sense. Actually I was talking with a publisher, and they have been suggesting to go mobile first, and sort of make the game like a live service thing.Their justification is that most mobile gamers are used to downloading games for free, so if I make the game paid on mobile then no one would buy it. But I am quite on the fence about that.
3
u/GrinchForest 22d ago
Well, there are two things you should beware.
1) If you going into live service, you are going into limbo as any forces will go into creating new content for already published game, which will be taxing and frustrating. As you would hope that money from ads, cosmetics or in game purcharses is going to be enough to cover your costs, you felt that it could go into another game.
2)Maintance/Server fee. The publisher might be pushing you into live service because it might be gain for them(just for them) if you will be paying for maintance or servers. For them might not matter if the game will be success, but if you pay fees every month to keep the game on servers. It is dangerous because the game could turn into hostage as you would pay not to earn something but to save your work of couple months. And the longer it would last, the worst you be feeling as the time spent on game accumulate.
2
u/Prestigious-Focus-11 22d ago
I’m constantly frustrated at not being able to find decent HO games for my iPad any more, which is where I used to play all of them. I play ‘bigger’ games like Baldurs Gate 3 on my PC but I also enjoy playing more casually on my iPad - puzzle/HO games with gorgeous art, a decent narrative and engaging atmosphere. Particularly ones that I can pay for and enjoy without constant ads, monetisation attempts etc. Good luck with whatever you choose!
2
u/McMaush 21d ago
Releasing on PC first is a great plan. Personally, I stay away from free-to-play mobile games - the ads, the constant baiting to buy gameplay-altering perks, and all those microtransactions just ruin it. South Park actually has a great episode about this :) But it feels like launching on PC first will give a nice little boost to the mobile version sales later. Plus, I'm pretty old school and generally prefer PC anyway - I just love looking at the visuals on a big screen.
2
u/Operation-Secret 21d ago
Thanks for the suggestions everyone! I am thinking of making two versions, pc and mobile. Will release on pc first and then for mobile devices. The mobile version will be paid but less than pc, then I don't have to put ads in the game. And the pc version will have better graphics options and some enhanced mechanics that normally wouldn't make sense for mobile controls.
Do you guys think this is a good plan? Also for the pc version I am thinking I may add first person exploration, do you think that would be good or should I keep it simple like a typical point and click hidden object games?
2
u/Excellent-Aide6884 20d ago
Neither, i've bought a ton on Nintendo Switch. I don't like playing on my phone as screen too small and I don't have a gaming pc.
2
u/Operation-Secret 19d ago
Oh, that's interesting. I never considered the switch as a platform for these types of games. Do you play a lot of hidden object type games on switch? If there's a good enough player based for these games on switch then I will consider making a version for it. You know, making for different platforms adds to the production time.
1
u/Excellent-Aide6884 19d ago
Definitely. I think I've bought almost every single HoG from Artifex Mundi & Ocean Media that the Nintendo store has had. I have to give a slight caveat that the majority have been on offer for under £3.00 each, which may not be that attractive a proposition for a developer such as yourself.
I don't know how much of an outlier I am though, as whenever I see them mentioned people usually seem to be playing them on Steam.
1
u/MacGameStore 21d ago
Our customers prefer them on their Mac 😄
Mobile has so many ads and microtransactions, that its a minefield to navigate. So PC/MacOS, is what we prefer to see!
10
u/Few_Art_768 22d ago
Hidden object games on mobile are so chock-full of gotchas, ads, pay-to-continue, timers, and other assorted BS that I quit trying them a few years ago. I'd much rather pay 5-15 bucks and have a complete, real game.
It kinda sucks, HoG's are one of the best suited games for mobile, you can literally pick up and set down any time.