Exploring Engagement in Idle Game Design

Idle games are a relatively recent genre, characterized by minimal player interaction. Due to its less interactive nature, there has been a research gap in our understanding of player engagement within idle games. In this paper, we present preliminary research examining the engaging aspects of idle game design in the form of two studies: 1) is a semi-structured group interview with idle game players, and 2) a $2 \times 2$ (idle game vs. casual game $\times$ PC vs. mobile) experimental diary study. Findings revealed that idle games are as engaging as casual games since there was no statistically significant difference in engagement and gameplay time. We also define key characteristics of favored idle games, highlighting notable gameplay patterns within idle games and exploring players’ motivation. Overall, this paper provides game designers and researchers with a more nuanced understanding of idle games, their relationship to casual games, and how they can be designed for more effective engagement across PC and mobile platforms.