[michaelochurch]

This is unfair to 2048.

First, Threes might sell more because of 2048. Also, the games are different in many core ways. I think people will be inclined to download Threes after they get bored of 2048.

Also, casual games aren't about mechanics but presentation. (There are plenty of successful games that are shameless knock-offs.) 2048 went viral because of aesthetic intangibles. I would call its aesthetic "Spartan", but that actually works for a game where you have to think (at least, superficially) about powers of 2.

Finally, the fact that 2048 is free-to-play is not a major threat to the integrity of the game industry or the quality of what is produced. The game industry is shitty because most corporate executives are useless, bikeshedding idiots who subtract more value than one could add in several lifetimes, and the game industry is not particularly worse or better than any other in that regard.

It's not 2048's fault and, besides, I doubt that 2048 hurt Threes in the long run.