作者：Jens Peter Jensen

为了对收益排行榜前100名的游戏作一个鉴定，我们已经把那些游戏都玩了一番，并根据玩法、机制和赢利策略把它们归类了。（请点击此处阅读本系列第1篇、第3篇）

这里的种类并不是苹果应用商店中的所有种类，只是展开调查时的收益排行榜前100名游戏的种类。以下内容解释了榜上有名的游戏的种类和115款被调查游戏占总体种类的“比重”。通过玩这些游戏，我们鉴定出以下12个种类：

1、赌博——11%

赌博游戏模仿的是可以在赌场玩的游戏，主要是老虎机、德州扑克和宾戈游戏。无需多解释，这种游戏就是努力向“真正的”赌博游戏靠拢。

赌博游戏的赢利策略是向玩家出售筹码，这与现实世界中的赌博游戏是一样的。此外，还有内置货币（IGC），这可以给玩家不同的优势。与现实世界的赌博游戏的主要区别是，没有真钱回报。这意味着玩家花真钱赌博，却不可能赢回真钱。

这类游戏的机制与其所模仿的现实世界的赌博游戏也非常接近，比如扑克、二十一点和老虎机。选项是有限的，玩家按一个键只能选择一个选项。这些游戏在各个方面都类似于网络赌博网站，除了没有支付选项。

赌博游戏采用的主要赢利策略是，让玩家购买更多筹码、让玩家使用更多IGC来获得优势。

例如，获得老虎机中的赢得更大的奖项的概率，或甚至只是玩游戏的权利。所以，本质上，玩家购买的是玩的特权，而不是赢任何东西的概率。玩家为了真钱或IGC而玩游戏，但得到的只是除了在这些特定游戏里再发起新一回合，其他什么价值也没有的“筹码”。

zynga Poker(from gameanalytics)

（扑克看起来很有趣，直到你意识到你花钱获得的只是继续玩下去的权利，而不可能赢得其他任何东西。）

赌博游戏的案例：《疯狂老虎机》、《大鱼赌场》、Zynga的《扑克》、《Jackpot Party Casino》、《Pharaoh’s Way》、《DoubleDown Casino》、《Bingo Bash》、《GSN Casino》、《Texas Poker》、《Bingo!》、《BINGO Blitz》、《Slots》、《Fresh Deck Poker》。

收集+战斗（《口袋妖怪》类）——15%

在收集+战斗类游戏中，玩家通过战斗收集某种生物，然后再用它们去战斗以获得更多这些生物。

这类游戏有两大变种，一个是“卡牌”类，另一个是“乐队”类。这两种变体类都有一个趋势：使用带有性暗示的日漫美术，因为有些开发者似乎认为性感的美术风格可以进一步刺激玩家收集更多这些东西。

在“卡牌”类游戏中，玩家扮演已收集的角色之一，可以用它做任务或PVP。在“乐队”类游戏中，玩家选择几种不同的角色去做任务或为他进行PVP比赛。

这两类游戏的目标都是获得生物/角色经验和更多生物/角色。玩家还可以组合两个相同的生物来产生更高级的同类生物；或者牺牲一些生物给另一种生物更多经验。任务设计有些变化，但基本上就是不停地点击下一步的按钮。战斗本身多半就是简单地点击攻击按钮，没有什么战术可言。

marvel WOH(from gameanalytics)

（不要被这些超级英雄的主题骗了，《Marvel War of Heroes》仍然是关于收集最强的怪物。）

收集+战斗类游戏的主要动机主是获得更多和更强的生物/角色，其主要赢利策略是，让玩家用IGC交换稀有和强大的生物/角色，或者各种优势如任务和PVP中可用的玩家增益状态，但主要赢利动力仍然是来自收集更多生物/角色。

收集+战斗类游戏的案例：《Rage of Bahamut》、《Marvel WoH》、《Lord of the dragon》、《龙之统治》、《勇者传说》、《War of the Fallen》、《Deity Wars》、《堕落战斗》、《天堂火》、《海盗少女》、《变形金刚传奇》、《D.O.T.》、《Immortalis》、《灵异阴阳录》、《Book Of Heroes》、《热血兄弟》(RPG)。

控制器模拟——16%

控制器模拟游戏是指在移动设备上的某些虚拟控制器上玩的游戏。

乍一看，这类游戏是非常多样的，但事实上，但主要机制就是虚拟控制器的事实使它们在玩法和机制上非常接近。其中有些玩法从传统上说使用的仍是控制器，但基本的游戏设计应移动平台的要求作了改变。

injustice(from gameanalytics)

（在《Injustice: Gods Among Us》中，传统的控制器被屏幕上的虚拟控制杆取代了。）

无论是传统的还是现代的，这两类似乎都受到控制器形式之害，因此被归为同一类。这些游戏要么是因为玩法太复杂，要么是要求大量使用移动设备使用的标准的“点击和猛击”界面，因此在移动设备上演变为某些虚拟控制器界面。

这类游戏中包含很多不同类型的游戏，如竞速、格斗、射击、平台，等等。但它们有一些共同点：有虚拟控制器和以速度或技能为主题。

这类游戏的主要赢利策略是，解锁更多内容。更多赛车、更多武器、技能、关卡和角色。有些内容可以通过长时间刷游戏解锁出来，有些则只能靠花游戏币。

虽然这类游戏的变体非常多，但大部分都有一种限制日游戏时间的精通系统。如果游戏能让玩家还想玩下去，那么玩家肯定会购买更多精力。第二种赢利策略是让玩家花钱以加快解锁速度或减少“刷”。

控制器模拟类游戏的案例：

竞速：《CSR赛车》、《Fast & Furious 6: The Game》、《实况赛车3》、《极品飞车》, 《Downhill Supreme》、《Bike Race Free》、《登山赛车》

动作：《D-Day》、《Frontline Commandoes》、《Hungry sharks》、《Sonic The Hedgehog》、《FIFA SOCCER 13》、《钢铁侠3》》《侠盗猎车手：罪恶都市》、《战斗之石》、《Injustice: Gods Among Us》、《重拳出击》

模拟建造：《我的世界》（口袋版）、《Survivalcraft》

路线奔跑——3%

在这类游戏中，玩家角色沿着一条预定的路线自动移动，同时要避开不断在前方出现的障碍物。操作方法就是触击屏幕以指挥玩家角色向左、右、上、下移动，一边避开障碍一边收集“金币”。

在收益排行榜前100名游戏中，属于这一种类的游戏并不多，但它形式稳定，识别度高。

路线奔跑类游戏的主要赢利策略是，当玩家死亡，鼓励玩家购买额外的命数以继续玩下去。这种策略缓和快节奏玩法易导致死亡的问题。妆玩死亡时，游戏就会停止并告诉玩家花多少游戏币可以购买一条命。在这方面，路线奔跑类游戏与老式街机游戏颇为类似，只是后者是要求玩家投币才能继续玩。

subway Surfers（from gameanalytics)

（这正是《Subway Surfers》玩家该掏钱的时候。）

匹配消除——7%

匹配消除游戏大概是最广为人知的、识别度最高的一类了。这类游戏的玩法主要是，找出三个或以上具有相同颜色或图样的实体匹配起来，匹配成功就能把它们消掉，同时获得得分，当全部实体都消除完，就通关了。这类游戏在Facebook上一直很流行，有些休闲玩家不仅经常玩，而且可以一直玩上5、6年。这类游戏没有太多变化空间，基本上遵循已确立的类型标准：在2D游戏面板上猛击“方块”，以便把它们组合成排或成列，然后消除。关卡有时候是限时的，有时候是以获得成就为通关条件，但基本上不会脱离这些套路。这类游戏靠不同的主题和美术风格把自己与同类游戏区别开来，尽管许多游戏为了获得类似的吸引力，仍然倾向于模仿经典作品的风格。

CCS(from gameanalytics.com)

匹配消除游戏主要有两种赢利策略：一是给玩家提供一些使游戏更容易玩的优势；二是提供额外的精力，即当玩家以当前精力或生命值不能完成关卡时，就可以花游戏币补满精力或命值。观察一下排行榜，《Candy Crush Saga》的成功似乎说明了这种补满系统是相当受欢迎的。

匹配消除游戏的案例：《宝石迷阵》、《Candy Crush Saga》、《Puzzle & Dragons》、《泡泡龙》、《疯狂水果》、《Diamond Dash》、《Gems With Friends》

在本文的第三部分，我们将继续介绍我们鉴定出来的其他7类游戏并做一番总结。敬请期待！（本文为游戏邦/gamerboom.com编译，拒绝任何不保留版权的转载，如需转载请联系：游戏邦）

A Guide to the Top Grossing Games on the AppStore (Part 2)

by Jens Peter Jensen

The lay of the grossing land

To identify and classify the types of games present on the Top 100 Grossing games list, we have played and divided them based on the gameplay and game mechanics they use and also based on their monetization strategy.

The types found do not represent the whole range of types available on the App Store. They only represent the games present on the Top 100 Grossing list at the time of the survey. Here follows a listing and explanation of the different types of games on the top, and their “share” of the total amount of 115 surveyed games. By playing these games the following 12 types were identified:

Casino – 11% of top 100

The Casino Game type emulates games that can be played at a casino. The main type of games available are slots, Texas Hold ‘Em poker and Bingo. This type is pretty self explanatory as it strives to be a close replica of the “real” casino games.

The Casino type monetizes by selling playing chips to the players, again just like its real world counterpart. They also rely on a form of in-game currency (IGC) that gives different kinds of special advantages to the player. The major difference from the real world counterpart is that there is no real money payout option. That means that the players use real money to gamble, without the possibility of winning real money.

The game mechanics are made to closely resemble the real world games they mimic, like Poker, Blackjack and Slots. There are a limited number of options and the player just chooses one by pressing a button. These games resemble Internet gambling sites in all respects, sans the payout option.

The main monetization strategies used in Casino Games are getting the players to buy more playing chips to gamble for and getting them to use in game currency to get advantages in the gambling games.

Like for instance the opportunity to win bigger prizes in slots, or even just to play games. So, in essence, the players are paying for the privilege to play, without the possibility of winning anything back. The players play for real money or in-game currency and are paid in “chips” with no other value than to initiate new matches in those specific games.

Poker looks fun, until you realize that you’re paying for the right to play, and you can’t actually win anything.

Casino Games examples: Slotomania – Slot Machines, Big Fish Casino – Free Slots, Poker by Zynga, Jackpot Party Casino, Slots – Pharaoh’s Way, DoubleDown Casino – Slots & Video Poker, Bingo Bash, GSN Casino, Texas Poker, Bingo!?, BINGO Blitz – FREE Bingo + Slots, Slots?, Fresh Deck Poker

Collect and Combat (Pokemon clones) – 15% of top 100

In Collect and Combat games the player fights to collect creatures of some sort and then uses them to fight and collect even more creatures.

There are two main varieties within the Collect and combat type, one is the “card” type and the other is the “band” type. In both types there is a tendency of using sexually suggestive anime art, as some developers seem to believe that a sexualized art style will further motivate player to collect more creatures.

Within “card” type games, the player is represented by one of its collected creature and can do quests or PVP fights with it. Within “band” type games, the player chooses several different creatures to send on quests or PVP matches for him.

The goal for both types is to gain creature experience and to get more creatures. The player can also combine two of the same creatures to make a higher tier creature of that type. Or they can sacrifice some creatures to give another creature more experience. The quests are designed with some variety in mind, but it basically boils down to tapping for next action. The combat itself is mostly just tap to attack and lacks any tactical aspect.

Don’t let the superhero theme fool you, Marvel War of Heroes is still about having the toughest monster in your “pokeball”

As the main motivation of Collect and Combat games is to get more and stronger creatures, the main monetization strategy is to offer rare and powerful creatures to the player in exchange for in-game currency. There are also a variety of advantages like player buffs and the like available in both quest and PVP, but the main monetization angle is the accumulation of more creatures.

Collect and Combat examples: Rage of Bahamut, Marvel WoH, Reign of Dragons, Legend of the Cryptids, Lord of the dragon, Legend of the Cryptids, War of the Fallen, Deity Wars, Pantheon the Legends, HellFire, Pirate Maidens, Transformers Legends, D.O.T., Immortalis, Ayakashi: Ghost Guild, Book Of Heroes, Blood Brothers (RPG).

Controller Emulator (envy) – 16% of the top 100

Controller emulator games are games that are played on a virtual controller of some kind on the mobile device.

At a first glance, the games in this category are very varied, but the fact that the main game mechanic is a virtual controller makes them closely related on a gameplay and mechanics level. There is also a variation where the gameplay traditionally uses a controller, but the basic game design has been changed to accommodate the mobile device platform.

In Injustice: Gods Among Us the traditional controller has been substituted by an on screen stickpad emulator.

Both types seem to suffer from a form of controller envy, hence the title of the category. These games have a gameplay that is too complex or demanding to use the standard “tap and swipe” interface that mobile devices use, and have therefore made some kind of virtual controller interface on the device.

There are many different kinds of games in this type, racing, fighting, shooting, platformer and others. But they all share the common factors of having a virtual controller and of being speed and skill based games.

One main monetization strategy in these games is unlocking more content. More cars, more weapons, skills, levels and characters. Some of the content can be unlocked by grinding the game for hours, while others are only available by the use of in game currency.

While there is room for a lot of variation in this category, most of the games here use an energy system that limits daily playtime. If the game can get the player to want to play more, the player will definitely buy more energy to continue playing. A secondary strategy is to offer the player advantages which unlock content faster or limit the grinding.

Controller Emulator(envy) Games examples:

Racing: CSR Racing, Fast & Furious 6: The Game, Real Racing 3, Need for Speed? Most Wanted, Downhill Supreme, Bike Race Free by Top Free Game, Hill Climb Racing

Action: D-Day, Frontline Commandoes, Hungry sharks, Sonic The Hedgehog, FIFA SOCCER 13 by EA SPORTS, Ironman 3 – The Official Game, Grand Theft Auto: Vice City, Battlestone, Injustice: Gods Among Us, Punch Quest

Builder Worlds: Minecraft – Pocket Edition, Survivalcraft

Lane Runners – 3% of top 100

The Lane Runner type is a game where the player moves automatically along a predefined track with either one or more lanes, usually three, and has to avoid obstacles while constantly moving forward. The gameplay consists of swiping the screen to direct the playing character left, right up or down in order to avoid obstacles and collect “coins” and such.

This type represents a small share of the top 100 grossing titles, but it is established and easily recognizable.

The main monetization strategy of the Lane Runner is convincing the player to buy an extra life when he dies in order to continue playing. The monetization strategy is complementary to the gameplay of running forward at a fast pace. When the player dies, the game stops and offers you the chance to continue for the price of some in-game currency. In this way, the Lane Runners are similar to the old arcade games, where the player had to insert coins to continue.

This is the key moment of Subway Surfers when players reach for their wallets.

Lane Runner examples: Temple Run 2, Vector, Running with Friends, Subway Surfers

Match Three – 7% of top 100

The Match Three type is perhaps the most famous and easiest recognizable type of them all. The gameplay is based on matching three or more entities of the same color or type to get points or clear away the level. This type of game has long enjoyed strong popularity on Facebook and has been played heavily by the casual gamer in the last 5 – 6 years. There isn’t room for much variation in gameplay for this type. They all follow the same established canon for Match Three games: swipe to rearrange the pieces in a 2D grid, in order to align them in a row. Sometimes the levels are time based, sometimes they are achievement based, but they never stray from the formula. The games differentiate themselves by having different themes and art styles, although many games prefer to mimic the style of established titles so as to get traction through similarity.

We all know and dread this moment…

There are two main monetization strategies in the Match Three type: one is the play advantages making the game easier in different ways. The other is the energy approach where the player has energy or lives and loses them by playing or failing to complete a level, and can only refill by using in game currency. Looking at games on the chart, such as Candy Crush Saga, it seems that the refill approach is the most successful.

Match Three examples: Bejeweled, Candy Crush Saga, Puzzle & Dragons (English), Bubble Mania?, Fruit Mania?, Diamond Dash, Gems With Friends, Gems With Friends Free

In the third and last part of this article we will go through the remaining seven types that we identified and then we will draw the much wanted conclusions. So stick around!(source:gameanalytics)