游戏邦注：本文作者是Scott Hyman，其曾任职于Creat Studios、Vivendi Games Mobile和JAMDAT，在业内已有18年经验，现任职于MocoSpace，领导该公司内部的游戏工作室。

scott from theplaystationetwork.com

过去2年，我们都见证手机和社交游戏的兴起：两大游戏类型既各自发展，同时也开始互相渗透，融入HTML5技术。

手机社交游戏有自己的用户基础，日益蓬勃发展。

这个新兴游戏类型兼容网页社交游戏和本土应用的优点，但这两种内容无法完美结合。除非游戏搭载手机社交网络，否则将很难吸引玩家好友参与。

面对数百万潜在用户，以及饱和游戏市场态势，手机游戏开发商既拥有机遇，也面临挑战。想要避免在游戏行业受挫，HTML5游戏开发商应牢记下述5点建议。

1. 在制作完善的作品中，多数玩家都不会察觉内容是基于浏览器

随着HTML5技术不断成熟，基于浏览器的游戏让人觉得越来越像基于应用的丰富体验。随着Android和iPhone设备的升级，其差异性越来越小。

2. 不要盲目迷信神奇高端技术

目前最好还是瞄准低端HTML5浏览器。HTML5优点多多并不意味着你需把握其所有特性。很多用户目前依然使用低端手机，这些设备无法处理设计师和工程师所构想的尖端理念。开发商应提供能够运作于所有设备的稳固游戏机制。

3. 尺寸至关重要：注意屏幕效果

我们很容易忽略PC和智能手机浏览器之间的差异（游戏邦注：虽然其差异显而易见）。切勿让玩家为准确点击按键或链接，反复放大或缩小界面。

手机社交游戏首先是手机游戏，其次才是社交游戏。提供保持粘性的工具很重要，但记住杂乱屏幕也会令用户感到沮丧。

4. 屏幕更小，注意持续时间更短

手机内容开发商面临的另一挑战是玩家注意持续时间非常短；手机玩家通常会在30-90秒内就给新游戏下结论，而网页游戏新玩家则会玩过几分钟后才下定论。

注意你不仅需和其他游戏竞争，也要和文本信息、好友呼吁及Lady Gaga最新视频角逐。确保游戏能够快速吸引用户，否则他们就会转投其他更富趣味的内容。

5. 时间就是金钱：探索能促使玩家持续互动的渠道，同时提供长短期玩法选择

提供能够快速爆发的玩法，同时确保玩家持续参与，这是手机游戏的最佳运作状态。找准二者平衡点是开发商面临的最大挑战，但若能实现，其将获得丰厚回报。

向玩家交错呈现短期和长期玩法循环内容是个两全其美之策。他们会更迫不及待地参与你的游戏，不论是呆在公交站台的短短5分钟，还是拥有好几小时空闲，能够舒服坐在家里的沙发消遣。

例如，Zynga就巧妙设计其多款Ville游戏（游戏邦注：《Farmville》、《Cityville》和《Frontierville》），玩家既能在忙碌一天中抽出几分钟进行休闲，也能沉浸其中数个小时。许多MocoSpace内容都提供各自玩法循环机制，旨在充分利用玩家使用手机设备的各种情境。

自身经验总结

随着HTML5 WebKit不断深入市场，手机社交游戏有望获得较高粘性。手机社交游戏和当前基于应用的内容究竟谁主沉浮，还有待继续观望。

以下是MocoSpace Games平台的若干综合数据：

* 日体验时长：500万分钟

* 玩家日平均体验时长：29分钟

* 日平均访问次数：82万次

* 手机社交游戏总数：14款

* 排名前3的作品：《Street Wars》、《Cute or Boot》和《开心农场》

最后，若你需要资金，MocoSpace将给予帮助。

MocoSpace不仅设立200万美元的HTML5游戏开发基金，服务游戏开发和推广，而且还提供各种资源，从AngelList之类的天使投资者，到DeNA和The9之类的主流游戏开发商也均有提供开发基金，推动手机游戏的发展。

这片市场如今开始不断升温，我们是时候填充些创造性火苗，但同时需留心用户需求，避免引火自焚。（本文为游戏邦/gamerboom.com编译，如需转载请联系：游戏邦）

MocoSpace’s Scott Hyman on 5 tips for developing HTML5 mobile games

by Scott Hyman

Previously at Creat Studios, Vivendi Games Mobile and JAMDAT, amongst others, Scott brings eighteen years of industry experience to MocoSpace. He heads the company’s internal game studio.

We’ve all witnessed the growth of mobile and social gaming over the past two years: the two genres have continued to evolve independently, while also coming together and embracing the power of HTML5.

Mobile browser-based social games have found an audience and are thriving.

This new gaming category draws from the strength of both web social gaming and native mobile apps, but the two do not overlap perfectly. Unless the game is featured on a mobile social network, the engagement of friends may prove difficult.

With the potential to reach millions of people, but faced with a glut of games on the market, the mobile game developer is faced with great opportunity, as well as great challenges. To avoid getting burned in the business of gaming, HTML5 game developers should keep in mind the following five tips.

1. In a well-built game, most customers won’t know it’s browser-based

As HTML5 techniques continue to improve, browser-based games feel more and more like rich, app-based experiences. With each new update to Android and iteration of the iPhone, users will soon have no distinction between the two. That said, take heed of tip no. 2.

2. Don’t be tempted (yet) by fancy, higher-end tech

For now, build for lower-end HTML5 browsers. Just because HTML5 is chock-full of goodness doesn’t mean that you have to utilise everything it can do. Many consumers are still lugging around lower-end browser phones that can’t handle every cutting-edge concept designers and engineers can dream up. Focus on delivering a solid game mechanic that can comfortably run on most devices.

3. Size does matter: Be aware of screen real estate

While it may seem obvious, it can be easy to lose sight of the difference between a PC and a smartphone browser. Don’t make players zoom in and out just to be able to accurately click on buttons or links.

Mobile social games are mobile games first and social games second. Give players the tools to keep connected and engaged, but remember that screen clutter leads to player frustration.

4. Smaller screen, shorter attention span

Another challenge for mobile developers is the shorter attention span of mobile gamers; mobile game players are likely to pass judgment on new titles in as little as 30 to 90 seconds, while players of new web-based games may take several minutes before making any decisions.

Realise that you’re competing not only with other games, but also with text messages, calls from the best friend, and Lady Gaga’s latest video. Be sure to engage users quickly, or they’ll move on to something more exciting.

5. Time is money: Find ways for users to engage socially while providing short and longer-term gameplay option

Mobile games work best when they can provide quick bursts of gameplay along with longer periods of engagement. Finding this balance may be the greatest trick of all, but it’s sure to pay handsomely when accomplished.

Work to establish short and longer-term gameplay loops to give players the best of both worlds. They’ll be more eager to play your game, whether they have five minutes at the bus stop or a couple of hours to relax on the couch at home.

For example, Zynga designed its Ville games (Farmville, Cityville, Frontierville) to allow players to check in for a few minutes during a busy day, or to provide hours of engagement. Many of our titles at MocoSpace offer multiple gameplay loops to take advantage of the variety of circumstances where players use their mobile phones.

Our lessons

As HTML5 WebKit phones continue to grab market share, unexpected opportunities for high engagement with mobile browser-based social games will arise. How well they compete with the current app-based markets remains to be seen.

For background, here are some general statistics we are seeing on the MocoSpace Games platform:

* Minutes played per day: 5 million

* Average minutes played per day per game-playing user: 29

* Average number of sessions per day: 820,000

* Total number of mobile social games: 14 (with many more on the way)

* Top 3 games: Street Wars, Cute or Boot, Happy Farm.

Lastly, if you need funds, they’re available.

Not only has MocoSpace created a $2 million HTML5 Game Development Fund for development and distribution, but there are also a variety of sources, ranging from angel investors like AngelList to major games companies like DeNA and The9, which have all created funds to spur the growth of mobile games.

The market is truly heating up – now’s the time to feed those creative fires, while keeping a finger on the pulse of consumers to avoid getting burned.（Source：pocketgamer）