The Movie Test: Can Your Game Pass It?

A Casual Moment, A Big Idea

Last night, I found myself in a situation I’m sure many of you can relate to — the movie’s playing, but I’m also casually tapping away at a mobile game. You know the feeling: one eye on the screen, one hand on your phone. And then it struck me — this multitasking moment could be more than just a habit. It’s actually a great test for the Game Design of Puzzles!

That’s when the “Movie Test” idea was born 💡

What is the “Movie Test”?

The concept of ‘Movie Test’ is simple. Imagine you’re watching your favorite movie or TV series, and at the same time, you’re playing a game on your phone. Congratulations if you can comfortably do both without missing plot twists or losing in the game! That Puzzle game has passed the ‘Movie Test’.

But if you find yourself constantly rewinding the movie because you missed some essential dialogue or pausing the game because you can’t keep up — the game might have too high a cognitive load for Casual Play. For a lot of Mobile Puzzle Games, passing the ‘Movie Test’ is a huge advantage. It means your game fits seamlessly into players’ daily routines, making it more likely they’ll return to play again and again.

❓ Should game designers care about it? Let’s dive into this simple yet insightful way to evaluate puzzle games.

Where Puzzle Games Fit into Players’ Lives?

Free-to-play puzzle games aren’t like console games, where you sit down, block out distractions, and immerse yourself fully. Let’s be honest: no one’s locking themselves away for a Match-3 marathon like they would for an epic PS5 gaming session. Instead, puzzle games are typically played:

• Relaxation time: when the player wants to chill out, without any pressure, but with fun, delightful animations and satisfaction effects
• In quick breaks: on the subway, commuting home, on a flight, between tasks, while dinner’s cooking, or waiting to pick up the kids from school. And yes, many people even play games while in the bathroom 🙂
• While multitasking: watching a movie, listening to a podcast, video, or music in the background

I’ll let you in on a little secret: another name for this test is the ‘Meeting Test.‘ If you’re in a not-so-important meeting where you can listen and play a game at the same time, it’s a similar effect. But shhhh 🤫Just kidding! Don’t actually attend those meetings — optimize your time instead.

Key Principles for Passing the ‘Movie Test’

Focusing on key design elements can make puzzle games more enjoyable during casual play. These principles ensure players can engage without feeling overwhelmed.

• Simplify Your Mechanics: Make sure your game’s Core Mechanics are easy to pick up and understand. Players shouldn’t need to concentrate deeply to understand what’s happening;
  • additionally, remember to make your Gameplay Loops complex but simple, too.
• Level of Reaction: Avoid requiring players to fast-reaction actions.
  • games with Combat tend to demand a player’s complete focus
  • be careful with Time Pressure, and use time pressure sparingly. Games with strict time limits can create unnecessary stress
• Level of Strategic Complexity: Limit the need for long-term planning. If players have to think too many moves ahead, it becomes challenging to split their focus.
• Short Sessions: Keep your levels or game sessions short and sweet, so players don’t feel like they’re missing out if they pause mid-level.
• Focus on Visual Cues: Use visual indicators to help players reorient themselves if they look away momentarily. These could be animations, color cues, or even helpful hints that guide the player back into the flow of the game.

Women and Puzzle Games: A Natural Fit?Here’s a fun fact grounded in psychology: Women are often better at multitasking when the tasks don’t require extreme focus (e.g., watching a movie, as we discussed). As we know, women comprise most of the Puzzle Games audience.Coincidence? I think not. Puzzle Games don’t require too much attention but offer just enough engagement to be entertaining.

Now, Let’s Break Down Some Examples

Some games are practically built for multitasking. They let you swipe and match gems without needing much brainpower, so you can easily follow that drama series or podcast in the background. They’re perfect for playing while doing something else.

 Some genres demand your full attention, and multitasking is just a disaster waiting to happen. Whether it’s a turn-based strategy or a game that requires long-term planning, you need to be focused on your next move. Anything requiring quick reflexes will make it hard to keep one eye on your game and the other on your screen.

We’ve already said that games with high time pressure usually fail the Movie Test. However, there are always exceptions. Take Twisted Tangle or Wood & Nuts, for example. These games have heavy time or strategy constraints but still attract casual multitaskers. How? Keep the core mechanics simple and easy to grasp, even under pressure. It’s a rare but effective balance. However, these types of games are more the exception than the rule.

Wrapping it Up: Does Your Game Pass the Movie Test?

In today’s multitasking world, everything is fighting for our attention. For games, the competition isn’t just other games—it’s the player’s everyday routine.

Puzzle Games thrive in today’s fast-paced world when they’re easy to play in casual moments. The “Movie Test” helps gauge if your game fits into players’ lives effortlessly. By keeping mechanics simple, reaction demands low, and sessions short, you create a game that players can enjoy, even without full focus.

So, does your Puzzle Game pass the Movie Test? If not, it might be time to re-examine those core mechanics and design choices.

P.S. I’ll admit it — I love playing games while watching a movie. It’s my ultimate multitasking combo. But my boyfriend? Not so much. He’s always giving me a hard time, saying, “How can you even follow the plot?” To which I say, “Easy, it’s called the ‘Movie Test!’” 😅 Share your experience below:

Do you play games while watching movies?

😠 No, and I hate when someone is playing near me

🤩 Yes, I like it so much

🤔 Sometimes

🧐 No, I fully focused on the movie