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Casual modes are the future of shooters in esports – here’s why
Image credit: Fortnite TL;DR Casual modes are becoming more common in competitive shooters like Rainbow Six Siege X and Fortnite. Though casual modes, like Siege’s Dual Front, aren’t often used in tournaments, they help build viewership by introducing more players to the game. Casual game modes are beneficial to the health of competitive esports, so … Continued The post Casual modes are the future of shooters in esports – here’s why appeared first on Esports Insider.
TL;DR
- Casual modes are becoming more common in competitive shooters like Rainbow Six Siege X and Fortnite.
- Though casual modes, like Siege’s Dual Front, aren’t often used in tournaments, they help build viewership by introducing more players to the game.
- Casual game modes are beneficial to the health of competitive esports, so developers should implement more.
- Many casual game modes offer mechanics that aren’t present in the standard game, like larger teams or the ability to respawn.
- Games that don’t allow traditional respawning are particularly in need of casual game modes to build a larger fan base, including battle royales.
The competitive shooter genre is stronger than ever, and new free-to-play options are releasing nearly every month. The recent launch of Rainbow Six Siege X highlighted a core problem that many esports face: casual game modes are often absent or unenjoyable.
Esports Insider is going to dig deep into why we believe casual game modes could be the key to a flourishing esports scene in competitive shooters and how developers can build better experiences that all gamers will enjoy.
What is a casual mode?
Casual modes exist in many multiplayer video games. A perfect example is Blitz Royale in Fortnite. In Blitz Royale, you spawn onto a small map with just over 30 players, so matches only last around five minutes. Fortnite’s core mode, Battle Royale, can last well over 15 minutes, so Blitz gives gamers the option to participate in shorter play sessions.
Modes that let players respawn are also often considered casual. Rainbow Six Siege X doesn’t allow players to respawn in its core game mode, so the new Dual Front experience is perfect for players who just want to relax.
A casual game mode can completely change how a player enjoys their favourite FPS and bring new fans by offering mechanics that are beginner-friendly. It’s essential for a game to implement a few gameplay options so that it can build a bigger base in the long term.
Benefits of casual modes in competitive esports games
The main benefit of introducing more laid-back gameplay is that it could make the game appeal to a wider audience. It’s crucial that developers don’t try to streamline their core game mode, such as Siege’s Ranked. Instead of simplifying the mode that makes a game unique, new playlists should be added to spice up the options.
By offering a less competitive mode, dedicated fans can more easily introduce their friends without a steep learning curve. Many players will naturally gravitate from casual modes to ranked play, but even those who don’t may become interested in the esports scene, especially if it’s implemented into the game through an in-game esports tab.
Casual modes might also make the game more fun to play since you’ll have varied gameplay, but the real benefit comes from the widespread appeal without the need to sacrifice the core experience.
Free-to-play status goes hand-in-hand with casual play
Another great way to help grow an esports audience is by making a game free-to-play. Adding in casual modes will then make it very simple for a prospective new player to get into the game and learn more about the mechanics before trying their hand in ranked.
Esports will thrive with a larger fan base
In a recent interview, VALORANT athletes for Fnatic, Kaajak and Chronicle, told Esports Insider that they think their esport struggles to be fun for casual players, which pushes those people away from the game.
The industry as a whole is still fresh, and there’s a lot of work to be done before esports can reach the same viewership as physical sports. The virtual stage is quickly finding its fan base, but the pace could be increased even further if each shooter added an engaging mode for the casual fan.
More viewers tuning in and buying merchandise will help fund larger esports tournaments. Additionally, new players mean more potential athletes, leading to the birth of new esports legends. Overall, the esports scene will thrive with a larger player base, so shooters should focus on creating experiences that appeal to every type of gamer, not just competitive players.
Conclusion
Developing casual modes for esports titles may sound counterproductive on the surface, but when you dig deeper, it’s easy to see why carefree modes help amass a larger fan base. However, casual experiences must not interrupt the development of the core experience; otherwise, esports could suffer.
Rainbow Six Siege X, Fortnite, and Call of Duty are just a few of the shooters that have introduced new modes for casual fans over the last few years. It appears that developers are starting to realise that innovation is the key to success, and casual modes are the future of building a successful market for esports. Competitive athletes are at the centre of esports, but casual fans build the community.
FAQs
Many competitive shooters have multiple modes, many of which are casual and don’t feature ranked play. We’ve listed a few games below, along with a casual mode for each that you can jump into without too steep a learning curve. Fortnite has Blitz Royale, Rainbow Six Siege X has Dual Front, Zombies is a mainstay of many Call of Duty games, and Control remains a popular game mode in Apex Legends.
Esports tournaments usually use a game’s standard experience, such as the Battle Royale game mode in Fortnite. On the flip side, casual modes typically eliminate the mechanics that are most difficult for new players to understand, and instead add casual mechanics, like respawning or access to a larger character roster.
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