Fishing is one of those activities that easily translates into a game, either as a side activity while players explore a large open world or as the core mechanic of a game. At first glance, fishing game design seems easy, but there are a number of subtleties involved to keep a game fun and engaging. Many approaches have been attempted and, more often than not, most of them have disappointing results.
From slots to simulators: fishing mechanics in every format
Fishing games have also always been some of the more popular themes for slot games like Fishin’ Frenzy Big Catch and Big Bass Bonanza pair colorful fishing graphics with quick, repeatable gameplay which mimic the chance of getting a lucky catch. The structure is simple, but the variation in outcomes keeps the experience feeling fresh.
Fishing appears in a wide range of different games – not just those designed as ‘casino games’. While fishing might be considered in the context of Final Fantasy games, or as a feature available in Animal Crossing: New Horizons for example, it clearly holds broad appeal for developers to include in their games. It seems to appeal to all demographics and is often a feature included in games rated for players of all ages. VICE writer Clémence Duneau looks into why fishing appears in so many different video games.
The psychology behind cast and catch
Research by the American Psychological Association into the psychology of gaming revealed the use of variable reward schedules to hook players into long sessions of gameplay. Fishing is perhaps the quintessential example of mechanics in games that follow this pattern – waiting around for something to happen, and then receiving an unpredictable reward. No wonder it’s so engaging.
The lure of getting out there to actually fish is strong, and real world angling participation figures have clearly not been negatively affected by the decrease in fly fishing. According to Sport England figures, fishing remains one of the most popular outdoor sports here in England with millions participating every year. In Cast Fly it’s obviously all about casting a virtual loop, with none of the cold, wet, time consuming aspects of actually going fishing.
Cultural roots and design logic
Fishing is one of the oldest cultures in England, with a huge following and millions of people holding fishing licences every year, according to Environment Agency licence sales data. That huge audience is one reason why fishing makes such a great leisure activity: game designers use players’ existing familiarity with the sport to make their fishing games easier to get into.
Fishing as a mechanic in games is remarkable from a design perspective, because it naturally creates a built-in pause mechanic that is contextual and does not disrupt gameplay. Pauses that allow for something calming may draw in a broader audience.
A mechanic with staying power
Fishing games exist for the simple reason that they solve a problem deceptively simple to implement yet impossibly to replicate in more complex game structures: creating tense and rewarding moments of repetition out of minimal components. Whether packaged into a role-playing game, implemented as a slot game variant, or offered as a completely separate experience, the cast-and-catch loop may be one of the most iconic and engaging mechanics in modern gaming. As a result, developers from all over the game development spectrum often continue to pick up a fishing rod and hook yet another player into their simple yet compelling world.
