12 Game Design Tricks

Gathered 12 powerful tricks to improve your game’s engagement and retention.

𝟭. 𝗘𝗮𝗿𝗹𝘆 𝗛𝗼𝗼𝗸 🎣
• A strong “wow” moment.
• Happens in the first minute.
• Expose core action immediately.
• Do this before any menus.

𝟮. 𝗪𝗶𝗻 𝗦𝘁𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗸 🔥
• Rewards grow with successes.
• Reset only on clear failure.
• Not on minor mistakes.
• Good for escalating excitement.

𝟯. 𝗙𝗹𝗮𝘀𝗵 𝗙𝗢𝗠𝗢 ⚡
• A short-lived event.
• It disappears forever.
• Use a countdown timer.
• Use a unique badge.
• This enforces scarcity.

𝟰. 𝗕𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗰𝗿𝘂𝗺𝗯 𝗧𝗿𝗮𝗶𝗹 🗺️
• A string of mini-goals.
• Leads to a major goal.
• Reveal the next crumb.
• Before the current one is done.

𝟱. 𝗚𝗲𝗻𝗲𝗿𝗼𝘀𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗕𝘂𝗿𝘀𝘁 🎁
• Front-load gifts for players.
• Give before monetization starts.
• Offer premium currency early.
• This helps to build goodwill.

𝟲. 𝗝𝘂𝗶𝗰𝗲 & 𝗦𝗰𝗿𝗲𝗲𝗻 𝗦𝗵𝗮𝗸𝗲 💥
• Exaggerated player feedback.
• Use for every player input.
• Combine pop audio & particles.
• Add micro camera shake.

𝟳. 𝗟𝗼𝘀𝘀 𝗔𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗦𝗵𝗶𝗲𝗹𝗱 🛡️
• A temporary buffer.
• Prevents resource loss.
• Offer cheap insurance.
• Use before a risky action.

𝟴. 𝗠𝘆𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿𝘆 𝗕𝗼𝘅 ❓
• A hidden reward inside.
• Contains random content.
• Reveal rarity odds upfront.
• Helps to build anticipation.

𝟵. 𝗣𝗲𝗮𝗸-𝗘𝗻𝗱 𝗥𝗲𝘄𝗮𝗿𝗱 🏆
• Finish sessions with a payoff.
• Creates a memorable spike.
• Schedule big rewards at exit.
• Or after a level is cleared.

𝟭𝟬. 𝗦𝘂𝗻𝗸 𝗖𝗼𝘀𝘁 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗺𝗽𝘁 ⚓
• Reminds player of their effort.
• Used to improve retention.
• Show a progress bar.
• Trigger when a player may quit.

𝟭𝟭. 𝗦𝗰𝗮𝗿𝗰𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗦𝗵𝗼𝗽 🏪
• The store rotates items.
• Stock is limited-time only.
• Cap the purchase quantity.
• Makes buys feel exclusive.

𝟭𝟮. 𝗦𝗼𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗼𝗳 𝗙𝗲𝗲𝗱 👍
• A live ticker of friend’s wins.
• Broadcast their achievements.
• Motivates competitive play.
• Creates engagement loops.