Eps 4: Why flappy bird was never meant to last in the mobile gaming world, and the rise of Vampire Survivors-likes.
In this 10-minute podcast, the speaker discusses why the popular mobile game Flappy Bird was not designed to be a long-lasting success in the mobile gaming world. The game quickly gained immense popularity due to its addictive nature and simple gameplay, but the creator, Dong Nguyen, ultimately removed it from app stores. The speaker explains that Flappy Bird's success was primarily driven by its frustratingly difficult gameplay, which kept players engaged in an endless cycle of attempting to beat high scores. However, the game lacked the depth and variety necessary for long-term player engagement. Unlike other successful mobile games that constantly update and add new content, Flappy Bird remained stagnant, leading to player burnout. The podcast also touches upon the rise of a new genre called Vampire Survivors-likes, inspired by the popular game Among Us. These games involve a group of players, one or more of whom are secretly vampires, trying to survive and complete tasks without being discovered. The success of Among Us has led to the creation of similar games with variations on the vampire theme, offering a fresh and engaging experience for mobile gamers. In conclusion, Flappy Bird's short-lived success in the mobile gaming world can be attributed to its addictive but limited gameplay. Meanwhile, the emergence of Vampire Survivors-likes indicates a new trend in mobile gaming, inspired by the success of Among Us and provides players with a more engaging and varied experience.
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Host
Ellen Ellis
Podcast Content
Introduction
Mobile gaming has witnessed a wave of innovative and addictive games that have captivated the attention of millions worldwide. However, not all successful games are built to have long-term staying power. Case in point: Flappy Bird, a simple yet frustratingly addictive game that took the world by storm, only to disappear as swiftly as it rose to fame. In its wake, a new genre of games has emerged, known as Vampire Survivors-like games, which have swiftly gained popularity. This podcast aims to explore why Flappy Bird was doomed to fail and the subsequent rise of Vampire Survivors, a genre that captures the essence of addictiveness and longevity in the mobile gaming world.
The Fall of Flappy Bird
Flappy Bird, developed by Nguyen Ha Dong, became a worldwide sensation upon its release in 2013. The gameplay was straightforward yet challenging: navigate a bird through a series of pipes by tapping the screen and avoiding obstacles. Despite its seemingly unimpressive graphics and repetitive gameplay, the game reached extraordinary levels of engagement. What gave Flappy Bird its appeal was the competitive aspect among players, challenging friends to beat their high scores. Yet, its popularity quickly turned into a double-edged sword for the developer.
For Dong, the unexpected success brought immense pressure and unwanted attention to his personal life. As a result, he made the difficult decision to remove Flappy Bird from app stores in 2014, citing its addictive nature and the negative impact it had on players' lives. The sudden disappearance of Flappy Bird left a void in the mobile gaming world, but it also paved the way for new trends to emerge.
The Rise of Vampire Survivors-likes
With Flappy Bird out of the picture, mobile gamers craved a new form of addictive and challenging gameplay. Thus, the genre known as Vampire Survivors-like games was born. Vampire Survivors-like games combine the elements of survival, strategy, and incremental progress that keep players engrossed for hours on end. These games are characterized by the need for resource management, skill upgrading, and fortifying defenses against challenging opponents.
One example of this emerging genre is the widely popular game "Last Night's Descent into Darkness," where players assume the role of a vampire survivor navigating through a post-apocalyptic world. The game's mechanics and addictive qualities lie in resource management, scavenging for supplies, upgrading skills, and forming alliances to fend off threats from rival factions of human survivors. This captivating blend of engaging gameplay, compelling storylines, and challenging progression hooks players and keeps them coming back for more.
The Longevity of Vampire Survivors-likes
The longevity of Vampire Survivors-like games stems from their ability to create a sense of attachment and investment in the gameplay. Unlike Flappy Bird, these games introduce elements of progression and strategic decision-making that keep players engaged in the long run. The constant need to upgrade skills, gather resources, and form alliances within the game builds a sense of accomplishment and personalization.
Furthermore, Vampire Survivors-like games often feature immersive worlds and captivating narratives that further enhance the player's investment. By constantly expanding the gameplay through updates and new content, developers ensure that players' interests are sustained. This combination of addictive gameplay, skill progression, and ongoing engagement has propelled Vampire Survivors-like games to establish a firm foothold in the mobile gaming world.
Conclusion
Flappy Bird may have been a temporary sensation, but its rise and fall paved the way for the emergence of Vampire Survivors-like games. The addictive nature and short-lived engagement of games like Flappy Bird drove players to seek more immersive and long-term experiences. Vampire Survivors-like games provided the perfect solution, offering addictive gameplay, strategic decision-making, and immersive narratives that keep players hooked for extended periods. As the mobile gaming industry continues to evolve, the rise of Vampire Survivors-like games represents a shift towards innovative and engaging mobile gaming experiences built to withstand the test of time.