In 2025, 3.3 billion people worldwide will have online gaming accounts. With the majority of adverts on platforms like YouTube showing Candy Crush and other simple puzzle games, it’s easy to assume that these games are at the top of the hierarchy of downloads and engagement from online players.
However, games that have agency, with active choices and consequences for poor choices, are the most downloaded and played. So, what does this tell game designers about what the ideal game is for most people?
Passive Play is Out
For any online or purchased game to be successful, the player needs to feel like they’re a participant, not an observer. So, with the help of AI and other gaming design, this means using their names, helping them to create their own character, and allowing them to make choices. Even game-based around games of chance are tapping into this personalization, with platforms like Royal Vegas Casino offering players a more interactive experience when spinning the virtual roulette wheel. Such active approaches will keep audiences engaged and cognitively involved, which increases the chance of repeat playing.
Progression is Still Key
All games that are well designed have progression. The most common options are things like completing level 1, level 2, etc. Pair this with rewards or achievements earned through the game, and you’ll have players who maintain their interest in playing. Of course, it’s also important not to bombard players with achievements or awards, as this can feel fake and be a turn-off.
Personalizing
As mentioned earlier, games that engage with the player by using their name have higher engagement rates. However, with the use of AI, games can now adapt to player style, tweak the game for difficulty, and even note gamer preferences, which can help with emotional attachment to characters. This mirrors what audiences now expect from games and can help create an engaging game which is fun.
Social Elements Up Engagement
If you have a game that has multiplayer modes or works via an online platform allowing many people to play, as well as leaderboards and an online community, this turns that game into a shared and social experience. This, as you may have guessed, ups engagement due to social connection as well as collaboration and competition. So, if you’re designing a game from scratch, try to make sure it can have as many players as possible!
Story and Feedback
Games that have no story are unlikely to have high levels of engagement. By mixing story with player feedback, you create a game where every step and action has meaning in the game, rather than just collecting rings or ticking boxes to get to the next level. Feedback loops for players, such as notifications, also help to create an immersive and engaging experience, which helps with player retention and enjoyment.
So, long story short, if you’re looking to create a game, make sure it’s multiplayer, has a backstory, and also uses personalization to keep players engaged and fulfilled.
