Simplicity in Game Design is Key: Clear Them All! by Voodoo

Finding enjoyment in games can be challenging for gamers, as they often approach every aspect with great seriousness. This can pose an even greater challenge for game designers aiming to refine the fun elements in their games.

As games become simpler, the task of making them enjoyable becomes increasingly difficult. However, Collect ’em All! Clear the Dots, developed by Turkish developer Tarboosh Games and published by French publisher Voodoo, excels with its strong core loop, captivating players from the get-go.

Core Game Loop

At the heart of Collect ’em All! lies the simple concept of connecting dots of the same color. Longer chains of dots reward players with special boosters that aid in clearing more areas on the playing field. These boosters can be activated during gameplay for players’ use. Every five levels, players encounter a new twist on dot-connecting, where they can freely form paths between dots without crossing any lines. Successfully completing levels earns players Brush currency, which can be used to upgrade and decorate the surrounding environment.

Game Economy

The game’s economy is easy to understand. The primary currency is Coins, which players can use to buy boosters or continue playing after reaching the move limit. Additionally, HP currency ensures players can progress through levels and can be obtained through packs. As mentioned earlier, Brushes are essential for designing and decorating various surroundings. Finally, Stars are earned for special moves, combos, and completing levels within the minimum number of moves. Accumulating enough Stars will advance players on the game’s leaderboards.

Game Monetization

IAP

Collect ’em All! provides various bundles, including some well-known ones like the Ad removal bundle, as well as others focused on specific boosters that are highly essential.

Ad Monetization

There are numerous instances in which players may encounter ads, with the majority being rewarded videos (RVs) and some being interstitials. RVs appear almost every time players receive a reward and offer the opportunity to multiply their rewards by simply watching an ad.

Conclusions

The main strength of Collect ’em All! lies in its robust core loop, which sets it apart from other, perhaps more complex games. Here are some key aspects to consider in this game:

• Strong social elements: Collect ’em All! immediately introduces leaderboards, fostering intense competition among its player base. Additionally, race events, where players compete against each other to complete consecutive levels within a set timeframe, enhance the social element. Voodoo has garnered acclaim for incorporating social features into its games, and Collect ’em All! excels in this regard.
• Quests: Implementing a quest system, similar to the one in Hexa Sort from a previous blog post, could greatly enhance Collect ’em All! Quests have the potential to emphasize the importance of boosters and incentivize players to purchase more of them.
• Ad placement: While players often find watching ads intrusive, Collect ’em All! is another Voodoo game that subtly suggests that ads can benefit players. Strategic ad placement in the game could further reinforce this notion.