What makes a game truly engaging?

What makes a game truly engaging? Here’s a breakdown: 𝟭. 𝗦𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗱-𝘁𝗼-𝘀𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗱 𝗳𝘂𝗻 🎯 The first thing players notice is the 𝙛𝙚𝙚𝙡 • Satisfying basic actions • Responsive, intuitive controls • A sense of playfulness • Think chopping wood, popping match-3 gems, or shooting. 𝟮. 𝗦𝗵𝗼𝗿𝘁-𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗺 𝗼𝗯𝗷𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲𝘀 🏆 Players want goals they can achieve quickly. • Clear win/lose conditions • Tasks that vary to keep things fresh• Focus on one objective at a time• Examples: complete a tutorial, pass a level, beat a boss. 𝟯. 𝗠𝗶𝗱-𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗺 𝗴𝗼𝗮𝗹𝘀 📈 This layer builds a sense of progression over time. • Goals that take a few sessions to achieve • Multiple objectives to choose from • Tangible rewards for success • Think leveling up, unlocking upgrades, or finishing quests. 𝟰. 𝗟𝗼𝗻𝗴-𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗺 𝗺𝗶𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 🌟 This is where emotional engagement shines. • A reason to keep […]

Anton Slashcev November 28

Journal

Time-limited bonuses are a game-changer for mobile.

Time-limited bonuses are a game-changer for mobile. Based on the Playliner research, here are the 8 most popular time-limited bonuses in top casual games: 1. ♥️ Unlimited Lives • No penalties for losing. Perfect for nonstop play during the bonus period. 2. 🎁 Double Rewards • Twice the rewards or currency while the clock is ticking. 3. 💸 Cost Reduction • Player actions or upgrades cost less for a limited time. 4. ⏱️ Faster Production • Buildings and goods finish faster, saving time and boosting progress. 5. 🎯 Better Drop Rates • Higher chances to score rare items during the event. 6. ✖️ Higher Multipliers • Multiply your resources or rewards for even bigger wins. 7. 🎡 Special Mechanics • Temporary access to unique gameplay features, like lucky wheels or team boosts. 8. 📈 Stat Improvements • Boost specific player […]

Anton Slashcev November 27

Journal

Solo Tournaments Guide

Solo Tournaments Guide Here’s how they work, based on the Playliner breakdown of Match Factory tournaments:𝟭. 𝗤𝘂𝗮𝗹𝗶𝗳𝗶𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗧𝗮𝘀𝗸 • Players qualify by completing at least one level. • Inactive players are excluded, and everyone begins on equal ground. 𝟮. 𝗪𝗶𝗻 𝗠𝘂𝗹𝘁𝗶𝗽𝗹𝗶𝗲𝗿𝘀 • Win a level on the first try? Your event token multiplier increases. • Fail? The multiplier resets, adding stakes to every move. 𝟯. 𝗣𝗹𝗮𝘆𝗲𝗿 𝗚𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗽𝗶𝗻𝗴 • Players are grouped into pools of 30–50, matched by activity or spending habits. • Bots may fill gaps, keeping the competition alive. 𝟰. 𝗘𝘃𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗧𝗼𝗸𝗲𝗻𝘀 • Event tokens come from core gameplay: --- Completing levels --- Collecting special items • More tokens = higher leaderboard rankings. 𝟱. 𝗗𝘂𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 • Tournaments run for 1–3 days, with a visible countdown timer to maintain urgency. 𝟲. 𝗥𝗲𝘄𝗮𝗿𝗱𝘀 • Tiered prizes motivate participation: --- Top 3: […]

Anton Slashcev November 25

Journal

How to make your game look stunning?

How to make your game look stunning? It comes down to six key fundamentals:1. 🎥 Camera A great camera is your starting point. • Pick the right angles and horizon line. • Highlight the most important gameplay elements. • Avoid awkward, disorienting views.2. ⚫⚪ Contrast Make important objects pop. • Bright and dark areas should balance for clarity. • Separate key objects from the background visually. • Use contrast to guide the player’s attention naturally.3. 🎨 Composition Lead the player’s eye where it matters. • Add guiding lines to focus attention. • Follow the rule of thirds for balance. • Make every shot purposeful and easy to read.4. 💡 Light Lighting is more than mood—it’s direction. • Highlight paths and objectives with light. • Use shadows and highlights for depth. • Dynamic lighting can boost immersion.5. 🕺 Animation Movement makes […]

Anton Slashcev November 25

Journal

How does a Live Ops system work?

How does a Live Ops system work? Here’s a breakdown, based on the Playliner research:1. Offers 💰 • Starter packs, season passes, and rolling deals. • Monetize player defeats and the desire to speed up progress.2. New content 🎉 • Themed, seasonal, and late-game updates. • Keeps gameplay fresh and incentivizes players to explore further.3. Mini-games 🎮 • Fun additions like treasure hunts or Plinko. • Add variety and unlock new monetization opportunities.4. Win streaks 🔥 • Create FOMO and loss aversion. • Motivate players to extend sessions and chase bonuses.5. Task-based events ✅ • Daily quests, challenges, and milestone rewards. • Provide short- and long-term goals to keep players grinding.6. Tournaments 🏆 • Solo, team, and weekly competitions. • Heighten excitement, especially when competing with friends.7. Time-limited bonuses ⏳ • Extra lives, reduced costs, or double rewards. • Drive […]

Anton Slashcev November 22

Journal

Mobile Game Retention Cheatsheet

Mobile Game Retention Cheatsheet Here is a breakdown:---- 𝗜. 𝗦𝗵𝗼𝗿𝘁-𝗧𝗲𝗿𝗺 𝗥𝗲𝘁𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 (𝗗𝗮𝘆 𝟭-𝟯) ----Make a powerful first impression. 1. Onboarding • Introduce key features clearly. • Use tutorials with minimal cognitive load. • Set clear objectives and encourage immediate actions. • Strategically place first paywalls. 2. First Impressions • Prioritize readability and intuitive UI/UX. • Focus on graphics, art style, and juiciness (animations and feedback). • Ensure smooth game performance. • Hook players with a compelling story. 3. Core Gameplay Loop • Make gameplay fun and engaging with easy-to-understand rules. • Offer early rewards to build momentum. • Optimize session lengths to avoid fatigue. ---- 𝗜𝗜. 𝗠𝗶𝗱-𝗧𝗲𝗿𝗺 𝗥𝗲𝘁𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 (𝗗𝗮𝘆 𝟯-𝟯𝟬) ---- Add depth to maintain engagement. 1. Game Depth • Provide variety in strategies and introduce new mechanics. • Include side quests and secondary activities. 2. Live-Ops • Plan frequent […]

Anton Slashcev November 21

Journal

$1B Playbook behind Royal Match success.

The $1B Playbook behind Royal Match success. Here’s the breakdown of their Live Ops strategy: 𝟭. 🏆 𝗧𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗻𝗮𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗽𝗲𝘁𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻: • Weekly Contest Challenge (full-week tournament) https://lnkd.in/e7rC3yWR • King’s Cup (2-day midweek tournament) https://lnkd.in/eu-YfraP • Sky Race (3-day end-of-week race) https://lnkd.in/eMwbwwuy • Lightning Rush (fast-paced 1-hour tournament) https://lnkd.in/eajrD8iR • Archery Arena (daily weekend tournament) https://lnkd.in/eRajA8Y7 𝟮. 🤝 𝗧𝗲𝗮𝗺 𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗻𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻: • Team Treasure (weekly rotating team event) https://lnkd.in/eWV7BXdc • Team Tournament (weekly rotating team event) https://lnkd.in/eEiFwW7p • Dragon Nest (co-op team event inspired by Monopoly) https://lnkd.in/eE4_PNai 𝟯. 🎲 𝗠𝗶𝗻𝗶-𝗴𝗮𝗺𝗲𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘃𝗮𝗿𝗶𝗲𝘁𝘆: • Hidden Temple (4-day midweek treasure-digging mini-game) https://lnkd.in/eQkHtKvS • Duke’s Fortune (slot machine mini-game, 3 days) https://lnkd.in/eJ2mmFZe • Magic Cauldron (potion-making mini-game, 3 days) https://lnkd.in/eh6ACvX4 𝟰. 🏅 𝗠𝗶𝗹𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗻𝗲 𝗿𝗲𝘄𝗮𝗿𝗱𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗲𝗻𝗴𝗮𝗴𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁: • Mission Control (4-day milestone event) https://lnkd.in/eDsdQYpm• Mission Pursuit (3-day milestone event) https://lnkd.in/egWaAGNC • Book of Treasures […]

Anton Slashcev November 20

Journal

What to do if your game has low retention?

What to do if your game has low retention? I teamed up with Mykola Veremiev to make a decision tree for your game.If your game is struggling, ask these questions: 1. Is the FTUE completion rate high? 2. Are players engaged with the core loop? 3. Are paywalls causing drop-offs? 4. Are there difficulty spikes? 5. Is the player funnel strong? 6. Is the game technically stable? 7. Do players have clear long-term goals? 8. Are players pursuing those goals? 9. Is feedback on gameplay positive? 10. Does your team still believe in the vision? Depending on the answers, you have 3 paths: • 🔁 Iterate: Minor fixes can boost retention. • ↩ Pivot: Core gameplay has potential but lacks depth. • ☠ Kill: Systemic issues with no clear solution. Use data to guide your decisions. Iterate, pivot, or cut […]

Anton Slashcev November 19

Journal

From Hyper to Hybrid Casual: Mob Control Playbook

From Hyper to Hybrid Casual: The Mob Control Playbook I partnered with Playliner to analyze the evolution of Mob Control.In 2021, Mob Control was a typical hyper-casual game. ↳ Simple mechanics. ↳ Minimal progression. ↳ Ad-heavy monetization. Revenue? $10K in monthly IAP. Fast forward to 2024, it’s a top hybrid-casual game. → Now pulling in $2.5M per month. Here’s how they made the leap: 1. Production Quality2021: Generic, low-quality visuals. 2024: Polished, unique assets with smooth UI and engaging effects. 2. Gameplay Depth2021: Fun core mechanic but repetitive. 2024: New elements and modes introduced gradually. The game stays fresh and engaging. 3. Live Ops 2021: No live events. 2024: Tournaments, seasonal events, and big IP collabs (e.g., Transformers). 4. Meta & Progression 2021: Basic upgrades with minimal impact. 2024: Deep progression systems. Unit upgrades, abilities, and meaningful choices bring mid-core […]

Anton Slashcev November 18

Journal

TOP 3 Long-term Retention Champions

Retention is king. Here are the TOP 3 long-term retention champions, according to AppMagic: 1. HONOR OF KINGS• D90 Retention: 15% • Genre: Brawl/MOBA • Daily Active Users (DAU): 574k • Revenue per Download Tier-1: $37.5 • Secret to retention: Constant updates with new heroes and events, plus a thriving competitive scene. Players stay for the dynamic gameplay and strong social connections. 2. ROBLOX• D90 Retention: 14% • Genre: Simulation/Sandbox • DAU: 33M • Revenue per Download Tier-1: $12.8 • Secret to retention: User-generated content and social interactions. Players create, share, and explore countless experiences, fostering endless engagement. 3. GARDENSCAPES• D90 Retention: 13% • Genre: Match-3 with Meta • DAU: 4.9M • Revenue per Download Tier-1: $17.6 • Secret to retention: A perfect blend of puzzles, emotional storytelling, and immersive garden decoration. Regular updates and rewards keep players motivated. What’s […]

Anton Slashcev November 18

Journal

10 Ways To Get Your Game Funded

In recent years, I've secured funding for 6 different projects. Here are 10 funding options to bring your game to life:---- 1. PUBLISHERS ----• Funding: $50k to several million• Terms: Revenue share, milestone payments, creative control clauses• PC/Console Publishers - https://lnkd.in/eXpN_nve• Mobile Publishers - https://lnkd.in/eFrqyyWh---- 2. VC INVESTORS ----• Funding: $300k to $10M+• Terms: Equity stake, convertible notes, valuation-based funding• List of VCs Investing in Games - https://lnkd.in/eExR25kB---- 3. ANGEL INVESTORS ----• Funding: $10k to $500k• Terms: Early equity, advisory roles• Top Angel Investors (Shizune) - https://lnkd.in/edy-UVy3• Playcap - https://www.playcap.gg/---- 4. ACCELERATORS ----• Funding: $20k to $150k+• Terms: Equity for funding, demo day presentations• Accelerators List - https://lnkd.in/eHY5acAg• Incubator List - https://lnkd.in/ehW4qwPu---- 5. CORPORATE GRANTS ----• Funding: $5k to $500k• Terms: Non-repayable funds, reporting requirements• Epic MegaGrants - https://lnkd.in/eq-FTZsQ• Indie Fund - https://indie-fund.com/• Games for Change Grant - https://lnkd.in/egUEbe8d---- 6. […]

Anton Slashcev November 15

Journal

Which game engine should you choose for your game?

Which game engine should you choose for your game? Here’s a breakdown of the top 10 game engines in 2024:1. Unreal Engine🔹 Complexity: High🔹 Price: $$🔹 Pros: AAA graphics, photorealistic rendering, robust tools.🔹 Cons: Steep learning curve, not optimized for low-end devices.🔹 Best for high-end 3D games on PC and consoles.2. Unity🔹 Complexity: Medium🔹 Price: $$$🔹 Pros: Versatile 2D/3D support, cross-platform deployment, huge asset store.🔹 Cons: High licensing fees, some features gated.🔹 Best for indie to mid-size games, mobile, and VR/AR projects.3. Godot Engine🔹 Complexity: Low to Medium🔹 Price: Free🔹 Pros: Open-source, lightweight, node-based architecture.🔹 Cons: Limited 3D features, fewer third-party tools.🔹 Best for indie developers, 2D games, and learning projects.4. GameMaker🔹 Complexity: Low🔹 Price: $🔹 Pros: Drag-and-drop interface, custom scripting with GML, great for rapid prototyping.🔹 Cons: Limited for complex games, paid export modules.🔹 Best for beginners, 2D indie […]

Anton Slashcev November 14

Anton Slashcev

Login to enjoy full advantages

Go Premium!

Enjoy the full advantage of the premium access.

Stop following

Cancel subscription