Touchscreens are now the norm for virtually all hand-held devices. However, many users need to learn that this technology’s foundation was laid down in the 1940s by a Philadelphia-based electronics manufacturer called the Philco Company. So, this is tech developed over decades and not something novel that appeared in the 2000s, as most laypeople assume. Another thing most of its users are unaware of is that touchscreens can get optimized for better gaming performance via various tweaks, something that the 1.7 billion people around the globe who play games on their smartphones appreciate, given how crucial this can be to their remote gaming experience.
Without competition, mobile games are the most downloaded software on Google’s Play Store and Apple’s App Store, and they are a massive industry in itself, generating substantial revenue figures via paid app downloads and the freemium model. Titles such as Candy Crush have opened up this category, creating a growing demand for engaging picks from this genre, forcing developers to focus on screen optimization that meets modern gamers’ expectations.
A poorly optimized mobile game can result in frustration, which leads to lower ratings, bringing its revenue-producing potential crashing down. Here, we dive into the critical components that enhance the user experience of these gaming options, which a recent DeltaDNA study showed is paramount for user retention.
How Control Optimization Works
The controls are the foundation of any game, mobile or otherwise since they dictate how one interacts with it. When PC and console gamers move something in a certain direction or press a button, that gets registered as a specific command; of course, these instructions are given by controllers and keyboards, with this communication principle between such a peripheral and a CPU bearing the name tactile feedback.
Mobile games rely on haptic feedback, a tech that deciphers tactile sensations. That brings about its design challenges, which engineers tackle in different ways. Building intuitive gameplay is the best approach, as controls must align with a game’s core concept. That is exceptionally true when gamers need to get the robustness of options available in PC gaming.
Flappy Bird is a perfect example of a touchscreen title done right. It is a simple, free web-based gaming choice that utilizes a single-tap system in a Super Mario-inspired environment. Players tap the screen, which moves a bird up and down it as they navigate various passageways in an obstacle course-type landscape. The gameplay here is straightforward but challenging, creating an exciting, super engaging mix for players of all skill levels. It is just silly fun.
Due to the limited screen of real estate smartphones, it is vital for developers of all categories with a lot of touch elements, including niches like online slots and online poker, to avoid overcrowding. Adding too many elements to an interface only builds up visual clutter that needs to be clarified. Limiting the UI to only essential functions enhances usability, as intuitive play is something deep down we all crave.
Control customization is also highly sought after. It boosts satisfaction by allowing gamers to create a layout and points of access that best suit their preferences. Accurate gesture recognition is also critical and of growing importance today.
Why Responsiveness Matters
Without question, noticeable input lag affects retention. Nowadays, everyone is so used to getting instant feedback that even a minor delay disrupts immersion. Responsiveness determines how quickly/accurately a game responds to inputs, which is the cornerstone of quality gaming. Everyone expects seamless interaction with technology now, no? That particularly holds for rhythm-based titles where split-second responses are pivotal for success. This refers to primarily racing and FPS (first-person shooters) options. Nonetheless, the same can apply to some gambling product categories, like Crash, where gamblers only get a few seconds to decide if they wish to participate in an upcoming round and set their bet size for it. Accordingly, mobile games should have limited to no latency between a player’s input, a tap, swipe, or press, and the in-game action these produce.
Without question, lag makes gameplay disjointed, and in multiplayer games, even a millisecond delay can affect results. Ensuring smooth gameplay requires a multi-faceted approach that starts with fine-tuning frame rates via adaptive systems that adjust FPS based on things such as in-game activity or battery levels. Then comes leveraging hardware capabilities and the implementation of gesture recognition algorithms.
The Challenges Present
The main problem developers must overcome is that the Android ecosystem needs to be standardized. It is massively fragmented. Most mobile gamers and online gamblers worldwide use Android phones with various hardware capabilities. Hence, optimizing a game for a market with such variety is daunting.
With iOS devices, things are easier since these are more uniform. Still, newer models introduce new tech, which brings about novel challenges and debates about whether games should exploit the extra options this provides or whether they should look to ensure backward compatibility.
Many touchscreen games feature online multiplayer modes, whose latency and connectivity issues can be minimized through lightweight networking protocols and predictive algorithms. Incorporating AI to fine-tune gesture recognition can also help solve problems like swipes getting mistaken for taps, a lingering concern on many devices and mobile games.