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Casual Games

The term casual game is used to refer to any game targeted at a mass audience of casual gamers. Casual games can have any type of gameplay, and fit in any genre. They are typically distinguished by their simple rules, in contrast to more complex hardcore games. They require no long-term time commitment or special skills to play, and there are comparatively low production and distribution costs for the producer. Casual games typically are played on a personal computer online in web browsers, although they now are starting to become popular on game consoles, too.

Gameshastra in casual games

Having established a strong base in “core” game publishing (with clients such as Activision), we’ve recently moved into the “casual” publishing space and have already made an impact there. We expect to make rapid strides in this arena over the next two years.

Game Development Packages

This year we’re offering standardized packages for game development. A standardized package has been created for game development on a fixed cost/fixed revenue-sharing:

Pre-requisite: Publisher/Customer provides a clear and reasonably complete game design document that fulfills all pre-production requirements. Casual Game Development (1 title on 1 platform such as PC Download/Retail, Mac Download/Retail, Xbox 360 Live Arcade and Wii – price does not include external certification requirements or publishing requirements)

Casual Games Package

5 month delivery timeline – which include (some in parallel)

»	20 man-months of development (4 months x 5 developers)
»	1 man-month of storyboarding and mockup art (1 month x 1 artist)
»	4 man-months of production art (2 months x 2 artists)
»	3 man-months of testing (1 month x 3 testers)
»	5 man-months of project management, game design enhancement and revisions
»	5 man-months of executive production

Price 1: Direct service package price: US $ 1, 25,000.

Price 2: Revenue share price: US $ 60,000 payment with a 30% revenue share of the Net Publishing Revenues.

Price 3: Revenue share price: $30,000 payment with a 50% revenue share of the Net Publishing Revenues.

In order to work under a revenue sharing scheme – Gameshastra and the publisher will have to agree to a certain level of marketing commitment and product support for a specified period of time.

Game Testing Packages

This year on we’re offering a unique “One Pass Pilot” test package for “casual” game developers.

Pre-requisite: Publisher/Customer provides a clear and reasonably complete game design document with a complete build of their game from which we can develop all necessary test materials.

Casual Game Title (1 title on 1 platform such as PC Download/Retail, Mac Download/Retail, Xbox 360 Live Arcade and Wii – price does not include external certification requirements or publishing requirements)

Casual Games Package

The “One Pass Pilot” Test Package includes

One complete test sweep of a casual game in development.

»	All test materials, such as a complete test plan, schedule and checklists.
»	A complete sweep of the build provided (Approximately 4 testers, plus the project lead).
»	Daily test summaries during testing and a complete bug report at the end of testing.
»	A mini “follow-up” sweep (2 days of testing) on a later build to provide feedback on bug fixes. Build notes required with follow up submission.
»	Option for continued testing or additional sweeps.

Complete “One Pass Pilot” Testing Package Price: US $ 4,000.

Casual Games Trivia

Casual gaming demographics also vary greatly from those of traditional computer games, as the typical casual gamer is older and more predominantly female,with over 74% of those purchasing casual games being women.