“What are you doing?” one of my friends asked.
“Strategising my next clan war attack.”
“Huh?”
“I’m playing Clash of Clans.”
“Oh, I’ve heard of the game. But you don’t strike me as the type who play games.”
In fact, I do. I mean, who doesn’t like the little distractions that mobile gaming brings?
For those unfamiliar with the game, Clash of Clans is an online multiplayer game that revolves around the idea of building and fortifying a base. Players get to train and unlock defensive troops to raid other enemy bases for resources (golds and elixirs) that in turn can be used to upgrade the defensive mechanisms (both troops and defences) against enemy raids. Upon joining a clan, players will have the opportunity to participate in wars against opposing clans.
While Clash of Clans is a freemium, i.e. free to download and play, it does offer in-game purchase to speed up gaming upgrades. To be frank, I have never warmed up to the idea of pay to play. But I have to admit, the game can be addictive. And the more I interact with it, the more I realise why the game is such a hit.
Players get to train and unlock defensive troops to raid other enemy bases for resources that in turn can be used to upgrade the defensive mechanisms against enemy raids.
So, here are the three reasons why I think it has succeeded in keeping players engaged (myself included):
1) The game appeals to the competitive nature inherent in many of us. The autonomy it gives one, in terms of war base design, troop selection, upgrades and strategies, results in either winning or losing a war. In short, you are the master of your own destiny.
2) The outcome of every clan war differs. It depends on the combination of troops and spells you bring to war, and which player you are up against. This unpredictability means every gaming experience comes with a novelty factor.
3) Last but not least is the social factor, as the game allows players to talk to each other and team up to achieve a common goal.
It is not surprising that in the recent app analytics report by App Annie released early September, the game was ranked as the highest grossing mobile game of all time, beating Candy Crush Saga.
Citing a report by online news site, The Inquisitr, since Clash of Clans’s debut back in June 2012, the game has been raking in an average of USD1.56 million every day, through in-game purchases of virtual goods.
The game is designed with layer upon layer of gaming mechanism that has so far managed to hit all the right spots in keeping the players coming back for more.
A word of advice though, if you plan to download Clash of Clans, approach the game with caution.
