If you're considering developing a simulation mobile game but unsure where to start, or if you've already launched one but are puzzled about how to attract more users and promote your app, this article will provide a basic introduction to simulation mobile games. It will also offer some market insights to help you better understand simulation mobile games and how to promote yours. Additionally, it will provide advice on advertising strategies for simulation mobile games.
Simulation mobile games belong to a genre of video games tailored for mobile devices. They provide virtual experiences that replicate real-life activities or situations, offering players a chance to immerse themselves in various simulated environments using their smartphones or tablets. Here are some well-known simulation mobile games:
- My Talking Angela-Outfit7 Limited
- My Talking Tom Friends-Outfit7 Limited
- Gardenscapes - Playrix
- SimCity BuildIt - Electronic Arts
- Dragonscapes Adventure-DianDian Interactive Holding
Diving Into the Diversity of Simulation Mobile Games: Types and Experiences
Simulation mobile games can cover a wide range of subjects, including but not limited to:
- City Building: Games where players construct and manage their own cities, towns, or civilizations.
- Life Simulation: Games where players control virtual characters and manage their daily activities, relationships, careers, and more.
- Farming Simulation: Games where players manage virtual farms, including planting crops, raising livestock, and selling produce.
- Business Simulation: Games where players run virtual businesses, managing finances, employees, and operations.
- Vehicle Simulation: Games where players control various types of vehicles, such as cars, planes, trains, or boats, and engage in activities like racing, driving, or piloting.
- Sports Simulation: Games that simulate various sports, allowing players to manage teams, compete in matches, and experience the thrill of sports events.
- Flight Simulation: Games that simulate the experience of piloting aircraft, ranging from commercial airliners to military jets.
- Construction Simulation: Games where players manage construction projects, from building structures to managing budgets and timelines.
- Medical Simulation: Games that simulate medical scenarios, allowing players to act as doctors or medical professionals, diagnosing and treating patients.
- Wildlife Simulation: Games where players control animals or manage wildlife habitats, experiencing life from the perspective of different creatures.
Simulation mobile games often offer a mix of strategic planning, resource management, and immersive experiences, allowing players to engage with virtual worlds and activities in a realistic or fantastical way, depending on the theme of the game.
Simulation games are played by a diverse and wide range of players due to their varied sub-genres and the different interests they cater to. Here’s a general overview of who might be playing simulation games:
- Casual Gamers: Many simulation games are accessible and appealing to casual gamers because they often don't require quick reflexes or complex strategy. Games like "The Sims" or "Animal Crossing" are examples that attract a broad audience with their relaxed pace and open-ended gameplay.
- Hobbyists and Enthusiasts: Certain simulation games cater to specific hobbies or interests. For example, flight simulators are popular among aviation enthusiasts, while farming simulators attract those interested in agriculture. These players often seek a realistic experience that closely mirrors their real-life interests.
- Educational Users: Simulation games are also used for educational purposes, helping students and professionals simulate real-world scenarios. Games like "Cities: Skylines" can provide insights about urban planning and management.
- Strategy and Management Fans: People who enjoy strategy and management aspects are drawn to simulation games that focus on building and managing cities, businesses, or other entities. These games often require planning, resource management, and decision-making skills.
- Creative Individuals: Simulation games that offer creative freedom, such as building and designing homes or creating virtual worlds, attract individuals with a strong creative streak. They enjoy expressing themselves and experimenting with different designs and concepts within the game.
- Streamers and Content Creators: Many streamers and content creators play simulation games for their audiences. These games can provide entertaining content that encourages viewer interaction, such as creating challenges, storytelling, or showcasing creative builds.
- Nostalgic Players: Some players are drawn to simulation games they played in their youth or that remind them of simpler times. Nostalgia can be a powerful motivator for revisiting classic simulation titles or franchises.
Overall, the appeal of simulation games lies in their ability to offer something for everyone, whether it's relaxation, education, creative expression, or strategic depth.
When crafting ad creatives for simulation games, it's crucial to highlight the unique aspects that make the game appealing and immersive to potential players. Simulation games cover a broad range of experiences, from managing cities to living out virtual lives. Here are some common simulation mobile game advertising strategies we discovered from BigSpy:
- Showcase Immersive Experiences: Highlight the depth and realism of the simulation. Use in-game footage that demonstrates the complexity and detail of the game world, whether it's building a bustling city, flying an airplane, or managing a farm.
- Emphasize Creativity and Customization: Many players are drawn to simulation games by the ability to create and customize. Show off the game's customization options, such as designing buildings, creating characters, or modifying landscapes. Highlight how each player can make the game uniquely theirs.
- Feature Compelling Narratives: If your simulation game has a storyline or allows players to create their own narratives, highlight this aspect in your ads. Use testimonials, quotes, or short clips that showcase the emotional journeys players can experience.
- Leverage Social Proof: Include reviews, ratings, or player testimonials in your ad creatives. Positive feedback from other players can significantly increase interest and trust in your game.
- Highlight Updates and Expansions: For established simulation games, focusing on new content updates, expansions, or seasonal events can re-engage lapsed players and attract new ones. Show what's new and exciting in your game.
- Utilize Influencer Content: Incorporate content from influencers or players, such as gameplay clips or reviews. Seeing real players engage with and enjoy your game can be more persuasive than traditional advertising.
- Show the Game in Action: Gameplay trailers or clips that show the game in action are crucial. They allow potential players to visualize what playing the game is like and what sets it apart from others.
- Offer a Peek Behind the Scenes: Sharing behind-the-scenes content, such as developer interviews or making-of videos, can create a deeper connection with potential players by showing the passion and effort behind the game.
- Create a Sense of Urgency: If there’s a limited-time offer, event, or beta testing opportunity, make sure your ad highlights the exclusivity and urgency to encourage immediate action.
- Incorporate Humor or Relatable Situations: Especially for life simulation or quirky, niche simulation games, using humor or relatable scenarios can make your ad stand out and resonate with the audience.
- Use Striking Visuals and Music: The first few seconds of your ad are critical to capture attention. Use visually striking images, animations, and compelling music or sound effects to draw viewers in.
Each of these strategies can be tailored to fit the specific genre of simulation game you're advertising, whether it's a peaceful farming simulator, a detailed city builder, or a realistic flight simulator. The key is to convey the unique selling points of your game and what players can gain from it.
Simulation games tend to have a slightly higher female audience demographic, with materials overall presenting sensationalism, bizarreness, ugliness critique, and dramatization. Many simulator-type games commonly use real-life short video intros combined with in-game simulation restorations for gameplay and other material splicing. Below are some common tactics I've discovered from the ad intelligence tool BigSpy:
- Video advertisements with storytelling elements are extensively employed in simulation games. These ads often captivate viewers through their plots and content, thereby somewhat softening the promotional nature of the advertisement. Case study 1 (click here to watch the video)
- The combination of real-life short video intros with simulated gameplay restorations as spliced materials has a surprisingly strong impact. Case study 2 ( click here to watch the video)
- The use of multiple tactics in a mix-and-match fashion, such as real-life drama scenarios, breakups with boyfriends, power comparisons, and the twist of downloading a "fake game", brings new creativity to these formulas.
- Emphasizing character customization: Many enjoyed dress-up games as kids, imagining themselves as fashion designers. This aspect remains crucial in mobile gaming, especially in virtual pet and life simulation games. Customization helps players express themselves, so ads often highlight the game's support for various options like clothing and makeup to engage users. Case study 3 (click here to watch the video)
In the process of market operation, employing effective advertising strategies and crafting high-quality ad creatives play a crucial role in distinguishing a simulation mobile game in the market, attracting more users, and boosting ROI. Ad spy tools like BigSpy contain a wealth of premium advertising creatives from various simulation mobile games, offering valuable insights into market dynamics, competitive analysis of advertising strategies, and identification of high-conversion ad creatives. These tools are invaluable for marketing professionals such as media buyers, UA managers, and others.
