#GameDev

How to increase game retention? 𝟭. 𝗘𝗻𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗧𝘂𝘁𝗼𝗿𝗶𝗮𝗹• Keep the FTUE (First Time User Experience) clear• Cut out unnecessary steps𝟮. 𝗘𝗻𝗴𝗮𝗴𝗲 𝗣𝗹𝗮𝘆𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗘𝗮𝗿𝗹𝘆• Make the intro fun and intuitive• Hook players within the first few minutes𝟯. 𝗘𝗻𝘀𝘂𝗿𝗲 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝘀𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗻𝗰𝘆• Match gameplay with ads, creatives, and ASO promises• Avoid misleading users𝟰. 𝗦𝗲𝘁 𝗖𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗿 𝗚𝗼𝗮𝗹𝘀• Help players understand what to do next• Use visual cues and simple mission structures𝟱. 𝗔𝗱𝗱 𝗘𝗻𝗴𝗮𝗴𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗠𝗲𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗶𝗰𝘀• Win streaks• Daily logins• Limited-time challenges𝟲. 𝗢𝗽𝘁𝗶𝗺𝗶𝘇𝗲 𝗦𝘁𝗮𝗯𝗶𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆• Fix crashes and bugs• Ensure smooth performance across devices𝟳. 𝗔𝗱𝗷𝘂𝘀𝘁 𝗗𝗶𝗳𝗳𝗶𝗰𝘂𝗹𝘁𝘆• Balance challenge with fun• Regularly tune UX, difficulty, and pacing𝟴. 𝗠𝗼𝗻𝗶𝘁𝗼𝗿 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗙𝗶𝘅 𝗖𝗵𝘂𝗿𝗻• Use analytics to find drop-off points• Adjust gameplay or UX to keep players in𝟵. 𝗜𝗻𝘁𝗿𝗼𝗱𝘂𝗰𝗲 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗴𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗦𝘆𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗺𝘀• Levels, character upgrades, and skill trees• Provide a sense of growth𝟭𝟬. 𝗔𝗱𝗱 𝗩𝗮𝗿𝗶𝗲𝘁𝘆• Introduce new mechanics gradually• Keep things fresh […]

In an industry that thrives on innovation, cloning games has remained a surprisingly persistent—and divisive—practice. From the earliest arcade cabinets to today’s mobile market, the idea of replicating successful formulas has never gone out of style. But what started as a strategy to ride the wave of a hit has evolved into a double-edged sword, shaping the business, art, and ethics of game development. Let’s unpack the story of game cloning in three parts: how it began, why it’s harmful, and—controversially—why it sometimes works. A Brief History of Cloning in Game Development Cloning in games isn’t a modern invention. In fact, the roots trace all the way back to the golden age of arcades. One of the earliest and most blatant examples? “Galaxian” (1979) by Namco was followed quickly by “Galaga”—a spiritual successor—but also by a sea of clones like […]

Seeds are one of the most powerful variables in game design, and one of the least acknowledged. EA’s Data Science team published a paper showing a 5x difference in win rate—from 15% to 75%—based only on the seed used to initialize a board. The level design and other match parameters remained the same! Computers can’t generate genuine randomness, so they "anchor" on seeds: a fixed number generates a pseudo-random sequence. The initial board state is the same if the seed stays the same. Without fixed seeds, every level must be balanced across the entire range of possible outcomes. When match designers look at attempts per success, seeds hide so much of the variability in experience, creating uneven ground to balance against. Battle Royales do this too, wherein loot tables are often seeded, either consciously selected or not.The hierarchical rules of […]

Level failed? No problem — here comes the *nudge*. While playing Match Factory by Peak, I spotted this smart little UX touch: after failing a level, the game gives you the option to activate boosters for 1 hour and jump right back in.It’s a simple yet effective tactic — no hard sell, just a well-timed prompt to keep players engaged and progressing. Small design choices like this can have a big impact on session time and retention.Loved seeing this one in action 👏

Adventure/Expedition events are one of the most engaging features. 𝟭. 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗖𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝗟𝗼𝗼𝗽 • Players explore a special event map using point-and-click controls • Progress requires “event energy” to remove obstacles and collect resources • The map is revealed section by section as obstacles are cleared 𝟮. 𝗜𝗺𝗺𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗦𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘆𝘁𝗲𝗹𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗴 • Each event begins with a dynamic intro video • Characters deliver dialogue during milestones • Players can skip—but most stay for the story 𝟯. 𝗦𝘁𝗿𝘂𝗰𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲𝗱 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗴𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻 • Tasks are grouped into chapters • Players can complete tasks in any order • Completing all tasks in a chapter unlocks new content and rewards 𝟰. 𝗛𝗶𝗱𝗱𝗲𝗻 𝗖𝗼𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗯𝗹𝗲𝘀 & 𝗢𝗯𝗷𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲𝘀 • Key items are scattered across the map • Players gather, combine, and redeem them for prizes • Some objectives require building or repairing key structures 𝟱. 𝗛𝗲𝗹𝗽𝗳𝘂𝗹 𝗕𝗼𝗼𝘀𝘁𝘀 • “Dynamite” clears multiple […]