idle games
Self-playing number growers
Idle games are video games designed to progress with minimal player input.
The core mechanic involves accumulating resources—currency, points, or items—that continue growing even when the player isn't actively engaged.
Players typically make occasional decisions about upgrades or unlocks, then let the game run itself.
Also called incremental games or clicker games, they appeal to those who enjoy watching numbers grow: I left my idle game running overnight and came back to millions of gold.
- progressionsOrdered forward movements
- upgradesImproved replacement versions
- clickerHandheld button device
- incrementalProceeding by small additions
- passive incomeMoney earned without labor
automation · grindings · exponential growth · minigames · minimalist design · relaxation · delayed gratification · endless loop · resource management · time killer · timers · habit formation · accessibility · multitasking · spider · simulacra · clickers · prestige
idle gamesrhythm games
Games requiring musical timing
fighting games · first-person shooters · arcade games · platformers · beat 'em ups
idle gamescompetitive games
Organized contests between opponents
fighting games · rhythm games · Dark Souls · Counter-Strike · strategy games
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