How to make an idle game: The complete guide | Adjust (2024)

Idle games allow users to play with long-term targets, test their problem-solving skills and gain incremental rewards over time. They’re known to be highly engaging with daily sessions and average session lengths greater than other hyper casual games, and have been reported to have a stickiness rate of up to 18% vs. hyper casual’s 10.5%. Adjust data also shows increasing user interest in idle games, particularly in the idle RPG space.

So, what makes idle games so appealing, and how can you create a successful one? Here’s everything you need to know.

Also known as incremental games or clicker games, idle games often fall into the casual category due to their ease of use and accessibility. However, they differ greatly from popular hyper-casual games such as My Perfect Hotel and Race Master 3D – Car Racing, both from Say Games Ltd.

Idle games require users to perform basic actions—such as repeatedly clicking, hence the term ‘clicker games’—to incrementally generate in-game currency and manage automated actions.

Idle RPGs (role-playing games) sit within the same category as idle games, still utilizing passive gameplay, but offering a very different gaming experience.

Idle RPGs are influenced by more traditional role-playing games, with simple mechanics like character development, automated combat, and equipment upgrades. You’ll find a broader focus and greater variation of complexity with an idle game, whose elements range from simple to deeply strategic, with popular themes including resource management, building and collecting.

Some of the top idle RPGs across iOS and Android devices include communism simulator AdVenture Communist by Hyper Hippo; the build, collect, and combine-focused Cat Condo by Zepni Ltd., MadBox’s Idle Zoo Tycoon 3D that sees users manage all aspects of their own zoo; and PikPok’s role reversal Dungeon Inc., where gamers play as the dungeon maker, rather than the hero.

The increasing appeal of idle RPGs is clear, and makes them a tempting avenue for mobile game developers to explore. Adjust’s global data shows that idle RPG installs increased by 10% in 2023 vs. 2022. The same data also reveals idle RPG sessions were up 35% in Q1 2024 vs. the same period in 2023. Plus, since September 2023, sessions have been at least 22% higher than the monthly average registered over the past 24 months.

The appeal of both genres is that they offer a relaxed gaming experience for casual players, who aren’t necessarily interested in being constantly and actively engaged. Their passive gameplay nature allows gamers to check in, strategize, collect rewards, and then let the idle state kick in to continue their progress.

The idle format is also attractive to users looking for a game that won’t take up too much of their time or attention, but will still offer a substantial gaming experience. The idle game appeal is that very simple actions are required to smartly manage in-game currency, allowing users to incrementally unlock new features and abilities to thrive within the game’s environment.

Idle games can be a smart business venture for app developers and a great alternative to hyper-casual games for users. Here are four reasons idle games are popular:

• Ease of use: Idle games are easy to understand and have gaming elements that are addictive and fun from the very first session. These games often begin with a simple objective before introducing ways to manage in-game currency, unlockable elements, and upgrades.
• Idle games incentivize users to return: By their nature, these games give players a reason to return after every session. Users will have gained in-game currency just by returning to the app, giving them something to look forward to for their next session.
• Long-term goals for users and developers: Unlike other addictive mobile games, idle games have natural pauses in gameplay where users must wait for their strategy to take effect. This makes it easier to practice more sustainable gaming habits, retaining players for longer.
• Idle games are cost-effective: This type of mobile game is relatively quick to develop and can be extremely profitable. However, they still need to be marketed to the right audience and have engaging gameplay that can compete with the very best idle games.

Development options

There are many ways to develop an idle game. Unreal Engine and Unity are two popular gaming engines, both of which are reliable options. You should also consider whether you need a backend/server, because idle games are usually light enough that they can be stored on a user’s device. If you do need a backend, this can be written with software such as Python, Ruby, or Elixir.

1. Find a monetization model that won’t harm retention

Retaining users for as long as possible is fundamental to monetizing this type of mobile game. The quality of your user experience will determine how long users are retained so developers must prioritize UX over monetization methods that–while successful–may prevent users from returning to your app.

Many idle games are free-to-play, meaning that users can install your app for free and expect monetization methods to appear in-app. These could be rewarded video ads and options to make in-game purchases. To learn more about lowering churn and growing your app, read our guide on how to win back churned users.

When choosing your theme, ensure that it is something your audience can connect with and easily understand. Other examples of idle games with strong themes include Miner Tycoon, Cookie Clickers, and Realm Grinder. These games all have obvious goals that can be immediately understood just by their title.