Hidden object games first appeared in the early 1990s and quickly gained popularity among casual gaming enthusiasts. Despite their growth rate not being as high as more dynamic genres like Match-3, hidden object games continue to offer attractive opportunities for developers. According to NewZoo, in 2021, mobile games generated over $93 billion in revenue, accounting for more than half of the global gaming market in the past year.

Within mobile games, casual games occupy one of the hottest niches. In 2020, they accounted for 47% of all mobile downloads. Puzzle games, in particular, demonstrate immense success due to the significant amount of time players spend on them. Over the past decade, game developers have actively reimagined the hidden object genre, moving away from some traditional conventions and rewriting traditional narratives, thereby attracting a new audience.
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Manor Matters by Playrix

Features of the Hidden Object Genre

One of the key features of hidden object games is creating an atmosphere that allows players to slow down and relax, sharply contrasting with the dynamics of action games. These games offer a unique blend of satisfaction from finding hidden objects and solving puzzles. The atmospheric design of the games plays a crucial role, helping players immerse themselves in the story and game world.

Hidden object games are not limited to PCs or mobile devices—there are versions for consoles, particularly for the Nintendo DS, where players can use both screens to search for hidden objects. Additionally, popular sub-games on the Wii were built around this mechanic, with titles like "Animal Crossing: Sweet Day," where players hunt for candies as friendly characters within a limited time.
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Animal Crossing: Sweet Day
Furthermore, games in this genre often use advanced visual and audio effects to enhance the gaming experience. For example, detailed background images and carefully crafted soundtracks help create the necessary atmosphere. Interactive elements, such as the ability to manipulate scene objects or explore multi-dimensional rooms, add complexity and engagement to the gameplay.

Creating a Game Design Document

Creating a Game Design Document (GDD) is the first and one of the most critical steps in game development. The GDD outlines all key aspects of the game: from mechanics and story to user interface and art style. It is not just a technical document but a guide that helps the entire team stay aligned throughout the development process.

Main Components of a GDD:

  1. Project Overview. This includes the game’s title, platforms it will be available on, and the main idea or concept of the game.
  2. Target Audience. It’s essential to define who the game is for. This helps in choosing the graphic style, puzzle complexity, and story theme. For example, if targeting children, avoid complex metaphors and dark themes.
  3. Story and Characters. A brief description of key events and main characters. Hidden object games often feature detective stories or adventures where players solve mysteries.
  4. Game Levels and Objects. Detailed descriptions of each level, objects to find, and the logic behind their placement. The number of levels can vary, but a typical casual game has 20 to 100 levels.
  5. Game Mechanics. Description of core and unique mechanics used in the game, including hint systems, zoom features for finding small objects, and more.
  6. Visual and Audio Style. A section describing the overall art style, color scheme, animation types, and musical accompaniment. The art style should be unique and stand out from competitors to make the game distinctive.
  7. User Interface and UX. Description of the user interface and interaction with game elements, including menus, achievement systems, and settings.
  8. Technical Requirements. Specifications for minimum and recommended system requirements for all platforms the game will be available on.
  9. Budget and Development Timeline. An estimate of project costs and time required for each development phase, including pre-production, production, testing, and launch.
Developing a GDD for a casual game typically takes 1 to 3 months, depending on the game’s complexity and scope. The budget for development can range from $10,000 for small indie projects to $1,000,000 or more for large games with high-quality graphics and numerous levels.

Defining the Game’s Style and Theme

Choosing a theme and art style for a hidden object game defines its visual and emotional perception, which is critical for attracting and retaining an audience. A well-defined theme helps developers create a cohesive game space that deeply immerses players in the gameplay.

Practical Steps for Choosing a Theme and Style:

  1. Analyze the Target Audience. Study the preferences and interests of your audience. Complex mystical or historical plots may suit adults, while brighter, simpler themes work better for children.
  2. Create Moodboards. Gather images, colors, and textures that align with your concept to visualize the overall style and atmosphere of the game.
  3. Research Competitors. Analyze popular games in the genre to identify successful visual and thematic solutions. For example, games like "Mystery Case Files" and "Hidden City" use intricate plots and detailed graphics.
  4. Technical Implementation. Consider platform and device limitations, especially for mobile launches. Mobile games require optimized images and animations to ensure stable performance.
Games with high-quality graphics increase playtime by 30-50%. Developing and testing the art style can take 2 to 6 months, depending on the project’s complexity and detail level.
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Mystery Case Files

Developing the Main Storyline

The storyline of a hidden object game often serves as a catalyst for immersing players in the gameplay. It should be intriguing and motivate players to continue the game.

Elements of Story Development:

  1. Choosing a Story Genre. Detective investigations, adventures, mysteries, or historical explorations are popular choices that support the "search" dynamic.
  2. Character Development. Create memorable characters with unique traits and motivations that contribute to the story’s progression.
  3. Interaction Script. Plan key plot twists and missions that engage players. Each level or task should reveal part of the story, making the game captivating.
  4. Locations. Develop locations that are not only visually appealing but also functionally tied to the story, supporting the game’s theme and atmosphere.
On average, developing a storyline for a casual game takes 1 to 3 months. Using scriptwriting software like Final Draft or Celtx can streamline the process of creating and documenting the script.

Creating the First Demo Level and Testing

Creating and testing the first demo level are critical stages in developing a hidden object game. These steps allow evaluation of gameplay mechanics, visual and narrative aspects, and gathering valuable feedback from real users.

Main Steps in Creating a Demo Level:

  1. Level Development. The demo level should be a representative sample of the game, including core mechanics and interface elements used in the full version. It is typically neither the easiest nor the hardest level but showcases typical gameplay.
  2. Integration of Art Style and Story. Ensure the demo level aligns with the game’s overall aesthetic and storyline to test consistency and immersion.
  3. Game Testing. Conduct initial internal tests to ensure the level functions without technical issues, followed by public tests with real users through beta testing or gaming events.
Testing is essential to determine how well the game meets the target audience’s expectations and to identify potential issues with gameplay or user interface, which is critical for further development and improvement.
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This is how artificial intelligence sees images of this genre :)

Testing and Feedback Collection Process:

  1. Data Collection. Use analytics tools to gather data on how players interact with the demo level, including time spent, task success/failure rates, and hint usage frequency.
  2. Surveys. After testing, offer users surveys to rate aspects like graphics, story, difficulty, and gameplay satisfaction.
  3. Interviews and Focus Groups. Conduct interviews with individual testers or organize focus groups to discuss their impressions and suggestions for deeper feedback.
Initial beta testing typically lasts 1 to 2 weeks, providing enough data and initial impressions. Platforms like Google Analytics or specialized gaming analytics tools, such as GameAnalytics, can be used to track and analyze player behavior.

Scaling and Improvement

After initial testing and optimization of the demo level, the next step is scaling the project. This stage involves developing the full version of the game, requiring improvements and the addition of new elements based on feedback.

Scaling Strategies:

  1. Adding New Levels. Develop additional levels that match the style and complexity of the demo level to maintain player interest over time.
  2. Performance Optimization. Improve game performance by optimizing code and graphics, crucial for stable operation across supported devices.
  3. Expanding Functionality. Include new features like achievements, leaderboards, and social elements to increase engagement and competitiveness.
An average hidden object game project may include 20 to 100 levels, depending on the desired game duration. Performance optimization can reduce load times by 30-50%, which is critical for user retention.

Importance of Illustrations and Art Style

Illustrations and art style play a key role in attracting attention and creating immersion in the game world. A well-chosen art style can significantly enhance the game’s perception.

Key Elements of Illustration Design:

  1. Style Consistency. Ensure all illustrations align with the established art style to create a cohesive visual experience.
  2. Object Detailing. Objects on each level should be detailed enough for players to distinguish but blend naturally into the background.
  3. Adaptation for Different Devices. Optimize illustrations for various screen resolutions to ensure consistent quality across devices.
The average time to create illustrations for one level ranges from a few days to several weeks, depending on design complexity. High-quality illustrations can account for up to 50% of the game’s development budget.

Adapting Game Design for Mobile Devices

Given the widespread use of mobile devices, adapting game design for smaller screens and diverse device specifications is crucial.

Aspects of Design Adaptation:

  1. Control Element Sizes. Ensure all controls and interface elements are large enough for comfortable use on touch screens.
  2. Performance Optimization. The game should efficiently use device resources to ensure smooth operation without lags or crashes.
  3. Testing on Various Devices. Test the game on diverse devices to ensure proper functionality across all platforms.
According to research agencies, up to 70% of mobile game users abandon games not optimized for their devices. Testing on different devices can identify up to 40% of device-specific errors not detected during standard testing.

Conclusion

Hidden object games have the ability to create a relaxing atmosphere and engaging pastime for players in an artistically appealing world with a captivating storyline. Thoughtful design of game environments is key to success on both stationary and mobile platforms. With careful attention to detail and immersion, this niche genre will continue to remain one of the most popular in the world of mobile gaming.