Battle Pass, But Make It Brain-Busting: This Online Puzzle Community Has a New Spin

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Puzzmo’s Gamble: Building a Community Around Casual Games

In the crowded world of mobile games, casual experiences like crosswords and word puzzles face a unique challenge – a lack of the same kind of online community that thrives in competitive shooters like Fortnite and Apex Legends. But Zach Gage, the developer behind the Puzzmo app, sees an opportunity in this void. He believes that by weaving together the elements of community goals, friend groups, and ongoing updates, Puzzmo can carve a unique space for itself in the casual gaming landscape.

Gage’s vision is rooted in the belief that a strong community can be a powerful driver of both engagement and longevity for casual games. "Everybody who we are competing with is trying to make a crossword that has the gravitas of The New York Times crossword," says Gage, "But nobody is building a community around their crossword. That is the appeal of the New York Times crossword — there’s community. You can do it and talk to your friends about it."

Puzzmo’s latest experiment in community building, Pile-Up Poker, exemplifies this philosophy. This unique game takes the classic poker hand rankings and turns them into a solitaire-like experience. Players aim to rack up virtual cash, contributing to a collective community goal of earning $1 trillion.

This massive goal feels reminiscent of the battle passes found in games like Fortnite and League of Legends, which offer a series of challenges and unlockable rewards to encourage daily playtime. Gage, himself a dedicated Apex Legends player, has witnessed firsthand the impact of battle passes on player retention and engagement.

"When you play every day, you start to care about the patch notes," he explains. "It turns you into a quality community member instead of a person who is just stepping in and playing the game. You become invested."

However, Gage also recognizes the potential drawbacks of relying solely on the battle pass model. The constant need for new content and the occasional feeling of obligation to grind through tasks can lead to player burnout.

"Sometimes I have found myself playing a battle pass and wondered, ‘What am I doing? Why am I even playing this game right now? This is a waste of my time,’” Gage admits, "That is a feeling that I don’t want anyone to have with any game that I’m making."

Puzzmo’s use of community objectives aims to address these concerns. Instead of requiring developers to constantly churn out new content, the goals are designed like Kickstarter stretch goals, unlocking features that are already on the roadmap.

This approach alleviates the pressure on developers while also mitigating the anxiety of FOMO (Fear of Missing Out) that can plague battle pass systems. Even if a player misses a day or two, the community’s progress towards those shared goals remains uninterrupted.

In addition to these objectives, Puzzmo also encourages community interaction through in-game clubs, which allow players to form groups with friends and compete on custom leaderboards. This fosters friendly rivalry and encourages players to communicate and share strategies.

The combination of community objectives, friend groups, and the app’s growing library of games have already begun to create a buzz within the Puzzmo community. Gage notes vibrant discussions taking place on the Puzzmo Discord, indicating a newfound sense of connection and shared purpose among its players.

The ultimate question remains: Can Puzzmo’s innovative approach to community building truly elevate casual gaming beyond the usual monotony? With a focus on engagement, interaction, and a touch of collective ambition, Puzzmo is certainly taking a bold step forward. The success of this endeavor will hinge on its ability to cultivate a truly vibrant and passionate community that thrives on shared experiences and a common love for puzzles.

As the $1 trillion community goal inches closer and new features continue to unlock, it will be fascinating to observe whether Puzzmo can truly bridge the gap between casual gameplay and the vibrant community dynamics typically found in more competitive titles. Perhaps, with its unique blend of community features and a solid foundation of engaging puzzles, Puzzmo might just be the app that redefines the very definition of casual gaming.

Article Reference

David Green
David Green
David Green is a cultural analyst and technology writer who explores the fusion of tech, science, art, and culture. With a background in anthropology and digital media, David brings a unique perspective to his writing, examining how technology shapes and is shaped by human creativity and society.