Anton Slashcev

Puzzle games are harder to make than they look. 𝗣𝘂𝘇𝘇𝗹𝗲 𝗴𝗮𝗺𝗲𝘀 𝗻𝗲𝗲𝗱 𝘁𝗼 𝗯𝗲:• Fun to solve• Simple to understand• Challenging, but fair𝗦𝘁𝗮𝗿𝘁 𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲:• Instant feedback – players need to see their actions matter • A satisfying “aha” moment – when everything clicks • Multiple ways to solve – creativity over one “right” answer • Balanced difficulty – no massive spikes or dead ends A great puzzle feels like a conversation, not a lecture.𝗔𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗯𝘂𝗶𝗹𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗯𝗹𝗼𝗰𝗸𝘀?• Clean, responsive controls • Clear goals • Mechanics like matching, merging, rotating • Limits (time, moves, resources) • Optional hints or boosters • Rewards that feel earned 𝗧𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝘁𝘄𝗼 𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗱𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝗽𝘂𝘇𝘇𝗹𝗲 𝗱𝗲𝘀𝗶𝗴𝗻𝘀:1. Random-based – like Match-3 (depends on luck) 2. Skill-based – like Sudoku or The Room (pure logic)𝗬𝗼𝘂 𝗮𝗹𝘀𝗼 𝗻𝗲𝗲𝗱 𝘃𝗮𝗿𝗶𝗲𝘁𝘆 𝗶𝗻 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗹𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗹 𝘁𝘆𝗽𝗲𝘀:• Regular = steady progress • […]

The 3 Stages of Mobile Game Production 𝟭. 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝘁𝗼𝘁𝘆𝗽𝗲 𝗣𝗵𝗮𝘀𝗲:• Goals: - Validate game concept - Test core mechanics - Assess market fit • Timeframe: 1 to 3 months • Team Size: Small team (3-10 people) • Content: Focus on core loop and mechanics • Monetization: None • Customer Support: None, but pay attention to player feedback • Risks: - Core gameplay may not resonate with players - Poor marketability ---𝟮. 𝗦𝗼𝗳𝘁 𝗟𝗮𝘂𝗻𝗰𝗵 𝗣𝗵𝗮𝘀𝗲:• Goals: - Increase player engagement - Enhance monetization strategies - Achieve KPIs for a global launch • Timeframe: 6 to 18 months • Team Size: Medium team (10-30 people, including analytics, marketing, QA) • Content: Expanded content, testing new mechanics • Monetization: Basic shop, starter packs, and offers to test willingness to pay • Customer Support: Basic channels for test regions • Risks: - Game unable […]

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 […]

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 […]

Mobile games use various psychological tricks. 𝟭. 𝗙𝗢𝗠𝗢 ⏳ Limited-time events and exclusive offers create urgency.• Players feel it’s now or never.𝟮. 𝗟𝗼𝘀𝘀 𝗔𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻 😣 Failing hurts more than winning feels good. • Lose a level, get an offer to buy back progress. • The closer you are to winning, the harder it is to quit.𝟯. 𝗗𝗮𝗶𝗹𝘆 𝗥𝗼𝘂𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗲 📅 Small goals keep players coming back. • Encourages quick daily check-ins. • Builds long-term habits.𝟰. 𝗚𝗮𝗺𝗯𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗠𝗲𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗶𝗰𝘀 🎰 Unpredictable rewards tap into our dopamine system. • Free spins, no loss, no limits. • Often combined with other features for more excitement.𝟱. 𝗡𝗲𝗮𝗿-𝗪𝗶𝗻 😬 Almost winning makes players try again. • One move away from victory. • First-time wins come with extra rewards.𝟲. 𝗦𝗼𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗼𝗳 🏆 We play more when others are watching. • Join teams for bigger rewards. • Leaderboards increase […]

Most games fail because they focus on the wrong things. Players don’t quit because your game isn’t big enough. They quit because it isn’t fun enough.Here’s what most devs try (and what actually works):𝟭. 𝗧𝗼 𝗺𝗮𝗸𝗲 𝗴𝗮𝗺𝗲𝗽𝗹𝗮𝘆 𝗳𝘂𝗻 ↳ What devs try: • Fancy graphics • Huge open worlds • Long cinematics ↳ What works: • One core mechanic that feels great from minute one 𝟮. 𝗧𝗼 𝗸𝗲𝗲𝗽 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝘆𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗲𝗻𝗴𝗮𝗴𝗲𝗱 ↳ What devs try: • Random freebies • Tons of side chores • Endless notifications ↳ What works: • A clear gameplay loop that rewards skill and curiosity 𝟯. 𝗧𝗼 𝗯𝗮𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗱𝗶𝗳𝗳𝗶𝗰𝘂𝗹𝘁𝘆 ↳ What devs try: • Surprise “gotcha” moments • Just big numbers • Easy tutorial, then huge spike ↳ What works: • Gradual challenges, small setbacks, and meaningful wins 𝟰. 𝗧𝗼 𝗯𝘂𝗶𝗹𝗱 𝗮 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗺𝘂𝗻𝗶𝘁𝘆 ↳ What devs try: […]

How to Design a Core Game Loop 1️⃣ Define the core actions • What does the player actually do? • Think exploration, combat, solving puzzles, collecting resources.2️⃣ Establish clear objectives • Give players something to strive for • Short-term: complete a level • Mid-term: unlock a new skill • Long-term: reach a top rank3️⃣ Provide meaningful feedback • Every action should feel good • Use sound, visuals, and numbers to create satisfying responses • Feedback reinforces mastery and progress4️⃣ Balance challenge and reward • Too easy? Boring • Too hard? Frustrating • The sweet spot keeps players in the zone5️⃣ Structure loops by timeframe • Moment-to-moment: basic actions like jumping or attacking • Minute-to-minute: clearing a room or finishing a short quest • Hour-to-hour: hitting key milestones like leveling up • Day-to-day: daily missions, global events, long-term goals6️⃣ Add psychological […]

Want to become a top 1% game producer? 𝟭. 𝗣𝗮𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗶𝘀 𝗺𝗮𝗻𝗱𝗮𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘆 ❤️ • You have to love games to make great ones.𝟮. 𝗢𝘄𝗻 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗺𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗸𝗲𝘀 ⚠️ • Hiding errors breaks trust.𝟯. 𝗡𝗼 𝗱𝗲𝗰𝗶𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗶𝘀 𝟭𝟬𝟬% 𝗿𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁 🤔 • Every choice comes with trade-offs.𝟰. 𝗦𝘁𝗼𝗽 𝗹𝗼𝗼𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘀𝗲𝗰𝗿𝗲𝘁 𝘀𝗮𝘂𝗰𝗲 🧪 • There's no magic formula for success.𝟱. 𝗜𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲, 𝗶𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲, 𝗶𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲 🔁 • No game is perfect from the start.𝟲. 𝗘𝘅𝗲𝗰𝘂𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗯𝗲𝗮𝘁𝘀 𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗮𝘀 💡 • Cool concepts are common — delivery is rare.𝟳. 𝗥𝗲𝘀𝗽𝗲𝗰𝘁 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝘆𝗲𝗿𝘀 🙏 • Treat them like guests, or they’ll leave.𝟴. 𝗙𝘂𝗻 𝗶𝘀 𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘆𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴 😄 • No feature can save a boring game.𝟵. 𝗦𝘁𝗮𝗿𝘁 𝘀𝗺𝗮𝗹𝗹, 𝘀𝘂𝗰𝗰𝗲𝗲𝗱 𝗯𝗶𝗴 📦 • If you can’t ship a small game, more resources won’t help.𝟭𝟬. 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗳𝗶𝘁 𝗶𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘂𝗹𝘁𝗶𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗺𝗲𝗮𝘀𝘂𝗿𝗲 💰 • Downloads mean nothing if the game isn’t sustainable.𝟭𝟭. 𝗣𝗹𝗮𝘆𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗻’𝘁 […]