Freemium Game Tips

Player Retention

• Some players have short attention spans, so you should get the user into the action as quick as possible.

  • The player should be playing the game in 3 clicks or less (including clicking on the app)

  • Do not present the player with a menu at the start of the game. That drives a percent of users away. If your game does have a menu, first have the player experienced an appropriate portion of the game then you can send them to the menu or you can set a “has played” so that the next time the player opens the app they are sent to the menu.

• Get the user to where the action is, they can get bored quickly

  • Opening the app -> you are now playing the game

  • Try to avoid using language to convey instructions. People aren’t playing to read a manual. Use symbols or objects like giant red buttons to spur the player into action. This also saves on localization costs.

• Get the player to an adrenaline point. If the game is not catchy they can easily throw it away

  • An adrenaline point is the part of the game that makes the player want to continue playing the game. These include the player causing an explosion, the world flips on itself, a new powerful ability is utilized, or a great obstacle is overcome.

• Once the user is hooked then show them ads. When they are invested in the game they will be less likely to drop the app when faced with ads.