It appears to be a common opinion that the humble point and click game is dead and forgotten. Once the great champions of the early 1990’s, the point and click game or graphic adventure game is no more. Gone, buried, and never to be seen again.
Nobody wants to play this archaic style of computer game anymore. Who would want to when there are newer genres of games? Or so you may be led to believe.
However, point and click games are not dead. Although they are not commonly produced by AAA studios anymore, there are arguably more point and click games now than there were in the 1990’s. Many independent developers and smaller studios create still graphic adventures. And it should be noted that point and click games are not just for nostalgia lovers as new studios are still creating games for the genre. Not only are point and click games being made, but they are being played and enjoyed too.
From a firsthand account, I can also say that I have played both old and new point and click games.
Point and click games are downloaded and reviewed across a range of platforms as some data would show.
You may also be interested in reading this post if you are interested in making your own graphic adventure.
Is Adventure Creator good for 2D games?
Go straight to the quick stats instead. Are point and click games dead…
“But, when looking a little closer, I was pleasantly surprised by what I had found.”
Evidence To Suggest That Point And Click Games Are Not Dead!
It is not only my belief that point and click games are in fact … not dead! But are actually still being developed and played today.
Whether this will continue to be true for the humble point and click game in the future is difficult to say.
I have met in person, 3 studios that develop, make, and sell point-and-click games.
Furthermore to suggest that the genre is still alive, is the number of downloads for new games and the desire and replay of retro titles too.
It does need to be stated however what the actual definition for ‘dead’ means when it comes to computer game genres. Death in a genre could represent :
- Point and click games are no longer in existence
- Nobody makes point and click games anymore
- Nobody plays point and click games anymore
- Point and click games evolved into something else
- AAA studios don’t develop these games anymore
The phrasing can be translated in different ways.
For me, I see it as whether people are still talking, making, playing, and reviewing games to signal their heartbeat. Just one of these markers is enough to signal activity.
Based on the criteria above, it can be clarified to a certain degree, that point and click games are not dead. The classic 2D puzzle genre still exists and is alive and well today.
To further cement that point and click games are not dead. Here is some more data and information.
Are Point And Click Games Dead! Where Did They Go?
By and large, point and click games are made and distributed by indie developers and small studios. To find these classic games you don’t need to look far.
If you want to play some of the original classic point and click games, you can always search platforms such as GOG or Steam.
If you want to play new point and click games, platforms such as Itch.io, Steam, and dedicated console networks can offer a wide range of point and click games for you to play. You can always try your hand at finding the original games too.
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Proof That Point And Click Games Still Exist
When looking into the subject of whether point and click games were dead and forgotten.
I already had my pre-assumptions of what the fate of the humble point and click game may be.
But, when looking a little closer, I was pleasantly surprised by what I had found.
Outside of my own, and somewhat narrow experiences from attending shows and speaking to developers, this is what I found on game platforms. Reddit too was also a source of some interesting information.
Steam
Steam has a ‘dedicated’ section for point and click games with over 6900 entries at the time of writing. ( Point & Click )
If you are unaware, Steam is a major digital game distribution platform for both independent and mainstream AAA games. It is one of the largest distribution platforms for games on the market in the world.
To further reinforce whether people download point and click games. Ace Attorney, which is on Steam has over 20,000 positive reviews.
The remake of Monkey Island also has over 7000 positive reviews and the original Monkey Island Bundle – Monkey Island Special Edition also has overwhelmingly positive reviews too – 4,500 +.
Based on this information, it would clarify that point and click games are alive still. At least for PC gamers.
Alive with Apps ( Phones & Tablets )
Point and click games have moved to mobile too.
An example point and click game with classic sensibilities is Procession to Carvery. Procession to Carvery, as one example has over 1000+ downloads from an independent creator.
Timbleweed with very strong retro vibes has over 100K downloads on Google Play. That is a lot of people enjoying the good old point and click game.
Are point and click games dead as apps? They are quite alive!
Nintendo Switch ( Nintendo eShop )
Although I cannot find any statistical data or download information, the Nintendo eShop also sells games. One such example is Escape Lala, a retro styled point and click game. ( looks cool )
Are Point And Click Games Dead? Stats
This data here is the tip of the iceberg.
The actual true data is far more vast and detailed than what has been written in the short post. If were to go to its full depth, you could write an essay!
But the data here should give you an idea and help to answer, in numbers the burning question… ‘are point and click games dead?’
The vital signs. ( data )
Steam Snapshot Data
| Total Downloads | Positive Reviews |
| ( N/A ) | 31,000+ |
Phone & Tablet Apps Snapshot Data
| Total Downloads | Positive Reviews |
| 101,000 + | 7706+ |
Nintendo Snapshot Data
*No data on the website, only listings
Are point and click games dead? Data Summary
Based on the data taken at a glance, first-hand experience, and seeing that there are both games in retro, indie sections and on large platforms it would strongly suggest that point and click games are still alive.
It would be easy to believe that once the 1990’s passed, nobody played point and click games. But, nostalgia is a powerful thing. Not only are old titles being replayed, but they are also inspiring new generations of games.
Are They Dead?
It should be noted however that point and click games are no longer as mainstream as they once were but do still have an active community. Triple AAA studios evolved or moved towards different genres of gaming. Taking with them some core principles of puzzle games from the golden age of the point a click game era.
But hopefully, they left some moon logic behind – which was in essence the process of elimination from your inventory. ( I love a bit of abstract moonlogic )
Are point and click games dead? They’re very much alive today.
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