Back in the day, gaming was an activity usually associated with geeks and nerds, with a random assortment of closet gamers sprinkled in. These days, it’s widely acceptable to play games, with casual games being for everyone. And there’s even the concept of hyper-casual games.
Recently, we were able to have a fun dialogue with Derrick Mapagu, the founder of Most Played Games. And if you haven’t heard of him yet, you’ve definitely heard of his mobile game that took the world by storm or rather, flipped the world over—Flippy Bottle Extreme.
Most Played Games, taking over the world, one game at a time
Speaking with Derrick about the studio he founded and now serves as a creator for (Most Played Games) was a delight, especially as we learned about its inception and purpose. The original goal was to make something that would be considered a “Most Played Game,” and the studio name itself was a nod to Derrick, with MPG being part of his name. Prior to this, as a solo dev, Derrick actually came from the corporate game dev world, which helped him streamline the processes needed to develop games and more.
Delving deeper into Most Played Games, what differentiates it from other game studios (at least from what we’ve covered) is its focus on hyper-casual games and its current inclination toward indie game development.
There’s CASUAL, then there’s HYPER-CASUAL
The concept of casual games involves something simple, with easy-to-understand rules, short play sessions, and minimal learning curves. A hyper-casual game, on the other hand, is an even faster, more streamlined experience. The way Derrick put it makes sense. He likened both gameplay experiences to watching a YouTube video versus a TikTok reel. While a YouTube video may give you a rush the longer you’re engrossed in it, a TikTok reel gives you an endorphin hit within the first few seconds.
Another way to look at hyper-casual games is that you should be able to enjoy them within just a few seconds. In other words, it’s like an elevator pitch, but for gaming instead of a business proposal. Within 15–30 seconds, you should be able to have a complete gameplay experience. And if you’d want to play it again, that means you’ve made a good game.
Simple design, complex mechanics
The road to making a “most played game” is definitely filled with difficulties, but the approach Most Played Games took to reaching it was full of fun, relatability, and especially inclusivity.
Fun comes in the form of simple yet enjoyable gameplay mechanics and the capability for that mechanic to evolve over time. This can be seen in the games developed by Most Played Games. From their first title Make Pana Blue Eagle, where players are archers shooting down blue eagles, to their recent successful game Tower of Cards, which puts a new spin on the tower defense genre using playing cards. A fun fact: Tower of Cards won Best Indie Game at ESGS 2023, even receiving a grant of about two hundred thousand pesos!
Inclusivity and relatability go hand-in-hand with Most Played Games’ success. Whether it’s the player base or the developers, being able to play the game at all (regardless of who you are) helps a lot. Derrick mentioned that even during the design process, he’d ask his mom for feedback. “When you’re making a most played game, everyone should be able to play it,” he explained. The critique from someone who isn’t a traditional gamer helps guide a game’s development in a certain direction.
Even the game’s scope has to be something most people can relate to. Trends in the late 2010s helped shape games like Make Pana the Eagle, Make Tusok the Fishball, and even the more recent Hari ng Lato-Lato. All of which can be traced to specific cultural moments in recent years. Sometimes, when you’re locked into a specific demographic, cracks in the UI or even the difficulty curve can become factors over time. But casting a wider net keeps the spirit of casual or in this case, hyper-casual, gaming alive.
Advice for aspiring devs
For aspiring game devs out there, Derrick had some nuggets of wisdom. In game development, “bring yourself out there and add your personal taste to the game you’re making.” There are so many games out there that feel like reskins of what’s already on the market and that certain flavor you bring could help you stand out.
Speaking of skins, while it wasn’t explicitly stated, Derrick emphasized how times have changed since the golden age of casual gaming between 2016 and 2018. Casual games were once meant for non-gamers and could get by with just skins as customization. But over time, players began seeking more nuance, difficulty, and features. He advises leaning into gamer or geek subculture, which is more accepted now than ever before.
Lastly, he noted that making and playing hyper-casual games should feel… well, casual. “Game jams are fun, but after that, it’s work,” he shared. So to aspiring game devs: go at a pace you can handle, and don’t conform.
The future
As we wrapped up our conversation, Derrick shared that he’s looking forward to finishing his award-winning game Tower of Cards.
There are also new projects in the pipeline. For more updates, check out his socials below:
Most Played Games Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mostplayedmobile
Tower of Cards Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/towerofcardsgame
