Casual game
A video game designed for accessible play, often using simple rules, forgiving difficulty, and sessions that fit into short periods.
Game mechanics: Rules and systems that shape how players interact with a game. Simple, quickly learned mechanics often make casual games accessible.
Mobile game: A video game designed for play on a mobile device, such as a smartphone or tablet. Touch controls and portable devices make many casual games easy to play in brief intervals.
Pong: A 1972 arcade video game that simulates table tennis with two paddles and a ball. Its minimal controls and instantly legible goal anticipated casual play's accessible design.
Hardcore game: A label for games or play styles associated with substantial commitment, complexity, or challenge. The term commonly contrasts with casual play, though the boundary between them is loose.
User interface: The controls and visual elements through which people interact with a digital system. Clear interfaces help players begin without lengthy instruction.
Web game: A video game played through a web browser, often without a separate installation. Browser access helped casual games reach players beyond dedicated gaming platforms.
Tetris: A tile-matching puzzle video game created by Alexey Pajitnov and first released in 1984. Short, repeatable rounds made it a landmark for portable and casual gaming.
Serious game: A game designed primarily for purposes such as education, training, or public engagement rather than entertainment alone. Casual describes accessibility and play pattern; serious describes a game's intended purpose.
Game tutorial: Instruction within a game that teaches its controls, rules, or strategies. Casual games often teach essential rules through brief, in-game guidance.
Social network game: A game integrated with a social networking service and its connections or features. Social sharing and invitations helped casual titles spread through existing networks.