Understanding I-O Games Evolution

Understanding I-O Games

I-O games have taken the gaming world by storm, offering multiplayer experiences that are easy to pick up and play for extended periods. They cater to short attention spans with endless gameplay. The craze began in 2015 with Agar.io, a simple game where players moved blobs around and ate other blobs. What set it apart was the massive lobbies that required collaboration and competition among players. This simplicity and social aspect made it a huge hit, even appearing in popular culture like the TV show House of Cards.

Following Agar.io, other games like Slither.io and Splix.io emerged, featuring simple mechanics and large player lobbies. These games became popular on platforms like Iogames.space, a web portal dedicated to I-O games. The absence of review processes and the need for downloads allowed developers to iterate quickly, creating games that matured over time. This trend filled the void left by the phasing out of Flash and Shockwave games.

Evolution of Game Mechanics

By 2016, developers began adding depth to I-O games by introducing more complex mechanics. Titles like Diep allowed players to build unique tanks, while MooMoo offered a PvP sandbox experience with fort building. These additions provided layers of strategy and engagement, attracting a diverse audience. Developers recognized that many players were students playing in classrooms, leading to the creation of browser-based versions of popular games for short play sessions.

Games like Krunker brought Counter-Strike-like gameplay to the browser, while titles like Zombs Royale and Build Royale offered 2D versions of Fortnite. The focus was on creating accessible yet engaging experiences that could capture players' attention even in short bursts.

Adapting I-O Games for Mobile

The potential of I-O game mechanics on mobile platforms didn't go unnoticed. Developers saw the opportunity to tap into new audiences and increase ad revenue. Companies like Voodoo successfully adapted games such as Paper.io and Hole.io for mobile devices, optimizing them for touch controls and offline play with AI opponents. This approach proved fruitful, with Voodoo generating substantial revenue and downloads.

Key elements for success in I-O games include quick startup times, simple mechanics, ephemeral leaderboards, and leveraging network effects. These aspects ensure players can dive into games quickly, engage with minimal learning curves, and enjoy competitive experiences without long-term commitments.

Technical Strategies for Quick Load Times

Achieving quick load times is crucial for I-O games, especially when catering to students with limited attention spans. Gen Z has an average attention span of eight seconds, so games must load swiftly to retain interest. To meet this challenge, it's essential to ensure that games load within five seconds on low-end hardware.

Web platforms are well-suited for this, as demonstrated by tools like Google Docs and Figma, which load rapidly. Avoiding game engines like Unity can significantly reduce load times, as seen in the development of Krunker. Lazy loading of nonessential assets, similar to web pages, is also key. This approach allows players to connect to servers before additional content loads, ensuring a seamless experience.

Engaging Players with Simple Mechanics

Once players are in the game, keeping them engaged is the next priority. I-O games thrive on quick learning curves, with players understanding game mechanics within 60 seconds. MooMoo, for example, offers sandbox-style gameplay with minimal complexity. Players gather resources like wood, stone, and food, building structures from skill trees without the intricacies of traditional crafting systems.

This simplicity ensures players can jump into the action without a steep learning curve, keeping them engaged for extended sessions. Ephemeral leaderboards, another hallmark of I-O games, provide motivation to climb rankings without the pressure of long-term commitment.

The Power of Network Effects

Marketing costs for I-O games are typically minimal, thanks to the power of network effects. Players often share game codes with friends and colleagues, encouraging group play and organic growth. This approach mirrors the way social networks spread, creating a user base without traditional advertising efforts.

Implementing features like party code systems and shareable server links further enhances this effect. Players can easily invite others to join games, fostering a sense of community and competition. This method has proven successful in growing I-O game audiences rapidly.

Challenges and Opportunities in Monetization

Monetizing I-O games can be challenging due to their nature. Players often view these games as quick distractions rather than long-term investments. This mindset can make it difficult to generate significant revenue from in-app purchases. Traffic fluctuations, particularly during weekends and school breaks, also impact monetization efforts.

To address these challenges, developers can encourage players to engage with games on other platforms, such as desktops or mobiles. Offering unique perks for cross-platform play can increase player investment and boost revenue. Strategies like daily rewards and ads on mobile platforms have proven effective in enhancing monetization.

Future of Multiplayer Web Gaming

Multiplayer web gaming continues to evolve, with developers exploring new opportunities for innovation. Improvements in web standards make it easier to publish resource-intensive games, attracting attention from developers on other platforms. The low barrier of entry and network effects make web gaming an attractive user acquisition strategy.

Emerging technologies like WebXR and advancements in web transport protocols promise smoother and more immersive multiplayer experiences. As companies explore user-generated content platforms, leveraging the web's accessibility could lead to new successes in the gaming world.

In this dynamic landscape, developers have a wealth of opportunities to create engaging I-O games. By focusing on quick load times, simple mechanics, and leveraging network effects, it's possible to build games that capture players' attention and drive success.

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Having worked for 7 years on popular .io games like Krunker.io, Diep.io, and Ev.io, I've seen the multiplayer web game market grow and evolve on the bleeding edge of web tech over the years.

This talk has been presented at JS GameDev Summit 2023, check out the latest edition of this JavaScript Conference.

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FAQ

I-O games are multiplayer web games that are easy to play and can be addictive with gameplay extending for hours. They cater to players with short attention spans by offering simple mechanics and the ability to play in large lobbies, making them engaging and accessible.

Agar.io, launched in 2015, was pivotal in popularizing I-O games by featuring simple gameplay where players control a blob to consume others in a competitive lobby. Its simplicity and multiplayer aspect attracted massive player engagement and set the stage for subsequent I-O games.

Initially characterized by basic graphics and simple gameplay, I-O games evolved around 2016 by incorporating more complex game mechanics like skill trees and themed gameplay, enhancing depth and engagement without compromising the ease of access.

I-O games engage players through features like five-second startup times, quick learning of game mechanics, ephemeral leaderboards, and network effects that encourage frequent and short play sessions. These elements help maintain player interest and competitive spirit.

I-O games typically grow their user base through network effects and organic sharing among players, especially in school settings. This grassroots approach allows them to acquire users without the need for traditional marketing expenditures.

Monetizing I-O games is challenging due to their casual nature and the environments they are often played in, like schools. Strategies such as offering in-game purchases or pushing players to other platforms where monetization is easier have been employed to tackle this issue.

Recent improvements in web gaming standards, such as WebGPU, WASM threads, and enhanced web transports for low latency, are set to significantly enhance the quality and performance of multiplayer web games, making them more competitive with traditional gaming platforms.

Nathan Flurry
Nathan Flurry
14 min
28 Sep, 2023

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Video Summary and Transcription
I-O games are multiplayer web games that are easy to pick up but can be played for hours. Developers have added deeper game mechanics and adapted I-O games for mobile, generating high revenue. Acquiring users for I-O games is done by sharing the games to play together at school. Monetization of I-O games is primarily through ads, as it is difficult to generate in-app purchases from the web. Web standards and user-generated content are opening up new possibilities for better web games.

1. Introduction to I-O Games

I've been working on I-O games for seven years and I'm going to share some tips on game design technology and business decisions that you can use to build a killer I-O game yourself. I-O games are multiplayer web games that are easy to pick up but can be played for hours on end. The whole .IO craze was kicked off in 2015 with Agar.io, a game where players move a blob and eat other blobs. It became so popular that it even appeared in House of Cards. This led to the creation of Iogames.space, a web portal featuring I.O. games.

2. Evolution of I-O Games

Around 2016, developers started adding deeper game mechanics to I-O games. Around 2018, developers realized that many players were students in classrooms, playing these games as a substitute for console and desktop games. Some developers adapted I-O game mechanics for mobile, generating high revenue. Key pillars of I-O games include fast startup times, short learning times, ephemeral leaderboards, and network effects. To achieve fast startup times, games are designed to load within five seconds on low-end hardware. Nonessential assets are lazily loaded, and the engine is structured to load assets individually as needed. The initial JavaScript bundle for Kronka includes core maps, class configuration, and character models.

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