The Business of Younger Kids’ PC Games
Kids’ games are big business. As I peruse the titles released each week via press releases and trade publications, I can’t help but marvel at the number of them that studios have time to release. Just in the last 24 hours I’ve seen:
Animal Hospital: PetVet 3D
And others that can be played by the entire family.
Kids games are becoming popular because they are easier to make. You’ll find no easter eggs or terribly complex subplots in the Animal Hospital game above. It’s a linear game that’s meant to engage people who are not yet jaded and cynical. As long as the game mechanics are good and the graphics are satisfactory, whether or not the story is realistic is of little consequence.
My 6 year old daughter would love this game.
They’re also popular because they are cheaper. A game that can be linear, with no online play, no celebrity voices and less production time can be much cheaper than the $30-$65 we pay for our games. And, when they go on sale at places like TJMaxx you can get them for less than $10.
They’re popular because parents equate early computer use to superior intelligence. You and I know that this is ridiculous, but parents equate geeky pursuits to geeky smarts, so a parent who balks at buying a PS2 for a teenager will purchase a Barbie dress-up CD-Rom for their 6 year old with little discussion.
This market will continue to grow, but as the children begin to use them earlier and earlier, they will require more effort. I know that my 8 year old already points out problems to me when I am reviewing games, occassionally before I notice them.
Kids today are exposed to games early, mine earlier than most, and they are watching and learning from the good and the bad. I know that the young kids’ PC games market will continue to grow, but game publishers will have to continue to improve their offerings to please the super-savvy gradeschoolers we are creating.
Note: I have not played the above games so this post should not reflect on their gameplay.
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