5 Game Systems to Make Your Game Stick

If your game doesn’t have fun core gameplay, stop reading this. (No system can rescue boring gameplay)Let me guess:You’ve got decent gameplay.Cool graphics.A few rewards here and there.But players are leaving. Why?Because you’re NOT thinking about systems.Retention doesn’t happen by accident.It’s BUILT.Your players don’t stay for shiny features.They stay because they feel something:• A sense of growth.• A bond with friends.• The thrill of a challenge.Build systems around what keeps players.Here’s how:1. Progression↳ Make players feel like every session moves them forward.2. Competition↳ Design moments where they WANT to beat the person next to them.3. Emotion↳ Give them a reason to care beyond stats and wins.Stop blaming retention on external factors.Retention is YOUR responsibility.

Sergei Vasiuk January 14

Journal

9 Traps That Kill Your Game

9 Traps That Kill Your Game (And How to Avoid Every Single One)Most live service games fail.Not because the devs aren’t smart.But because they fall into unseen traps.Here’s the truth: ☝️If you can avoid these 9 traps,you’ll stay ahead of 95% of games out there.1. Metrics:↳ Focusing on revenue instead of fun.↳ Fix: Track engagement. Fun = profits.2. Events:↳ Too many events = burnout.↳ Fix: Space them out. Keep it fresh.3. Ads:↳ Fake gameplay ads destroy trust.↳ Fix: Show the REAL game. Trust scales.4. Progression:↳ Too easy? Boring. Too hard? Frustrating.↳ Fix: Balance it for fair rewards.5. Monetization:↳ Pay-to-win drive players away.↳ Fix: Offer value. Keep it fair. Win long-term6. Community:↳ No community = no loyalty.↳ Fix: Engage through events & social media7. Onboarding:↳ Confused players don’t stick around.↳ Fix: Teach the basics in a fun way.8. Feedback:↳ Ignoring complaints […]

Sergei Vasiuk January 13

Journal

How Games Manipulate Emotions

Most Game Devs Miss This Key Element! They refine mechanics, visuals, and stories.But they ignore the core: player emotions.Why?Because emotions seem unmeasurable.But emotions are the heart of gaming.Here’s a 𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗽-𝗯𝘆-𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗽 𝗳𝗿𝗮𝗺𝗲𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸:[1] Define the Desired EmotionsAsk: What do you want players to feel?Excitement? Fear? Joy? Clarity starts here.[2] Align Emotions with GenreNot every emotion fits every game.Your genre sets emotional expectations.[3] Identify Emotional TriggersPinpoint key moments to evoke emotions.Story twists? Boss fights? It all counts.[4] Map the Emotional Cycle• Stimulus (an event in the game).• Realization (seeing its value).• Reaction (a decision or action).• Expectation (hopes for outcomes).[5] Use Emotional TheoriesMaslow: Tap into player motivations.Plutchik: Mix and intensify emotions.[6] Adapt Gameplay DynamicallyChange based on real-time player input.Shift NPCs or difficulty for balance.[7] Balance Emotional LoadAvoid extremes of constant highs or lows.Neutral gameplay lets players recover.Design games that don’t just entertain,↳ but […]

Sergei Vasiuk January 7

Journal

Gaming Factory Professions

Sorry gamers… but I have to say this! Not everyone is familiar with the inner workings of game development. Sure, I can guess the recipe for Oreo cookies BUT! Outside the factory, guesses turn to crumbs. Absolutely, you’ve got every right to critique the games you buy. But sprinkle a little #Respect for the devs. TRUST ME! Launching a 'bad' game is never the goal. Behind every release is a squad of genius devs, even if it misses. It's the collective effort of hundreds, sometimes thousands. 3D Modeler, UX Designer, VFX ArtistAI Developer, UI Designer, 2D ArtistTools Programmer, Level DesignerStore Manager, DevOps EngineerBrand Manager, Email MarketerPixel Artist, Mobile DeveloperTexture Artist, Space Designer Rigging Artist, Casting Director Digital Artist, Rendering EngineerMarket Analyst, Network Engineer Backend Developer, System Architect Player Support, Fitness Coach, QA Tester Storyboard Artist, Gameplay Programmer Layout Artist, Script […]

Sergei Vasiuk January 3

Journal

Musk + Gaming = ???

"Musk + Gaming = ???" 🎮🤔 Musk's pitch:xAI will "make games great again."Big talk for a space that eats outsiders.I’ve read mixed reactions:Fans:↳ He changed cars/rockets - why not games?Skeptics:↳ Games need heart, not just algorithms.If Musk flops, it’ll be messy - but honestly? 💯entertaining.But maybe he’ll surprise us all.The industry could use a shake-up…just… maybe not this shake-up.What do you think:Revolution or "just Musk being Musk"?Sound off! 🎤P.S. Who’s playing for him on Diablo 4?

Sergei Vasiuk November 28

Journal

How to design your player journey map?

How to design your player journey map? (5-step checklist)A player journey map visualizes experiences↳ aligns gameplay, monetization & retention.Here’s how to design one for your game:1️⃣ Define your map’s purpose• Focus on 1 goal: onboarding, retention, etc.• Set detail level, e.g., purchase journey.• Identify segment: casual, whales, etc.2️⃣ Identify player personas• Casual: focus on easy access & discovery.• Influencers: reward w/ social recognition.• Spenders: highlight exclusive offers.3️⃣ Analyze behaviors and touchpoints• Observe key systems: core, meta, etc.• Track streamers and community activity.• Check top items for awareness/purchases.4️⃣ Map the player journey stages• Awareness: Buzz from gameplay & socials.• Consideration: Reviews & personal offers.• Purchase: Easy checkout & seamless flow.• Usage: Impact on gameplay & recognition.5️⃣ Validate and refine your map• Test it with player actions and feedback.• Align it with KPIs like retention rates.• Keep evolving as the game grows.❗Things […]

Sergei Vasiuk November 27

Journal

Mistakes New Game Devs Make

Mistakes New Game Devs Make Building a game isn't just about release.It's about avoiding the issues that kill it.Here’s where beginners go wrong:1. They think ideation is all that matters. ↳ Sure, a great concept is key. ↳ But it’s just the start of the journey.2. They underestimate Post-Production. ↳ This isn’t a casual polish phase. ↳ It’s about final fixes and tuning.3. Live Ops? Totally overlooked. ↳ Continuous updates are a must. ↳ Player retention is built over time.4. They skip on player feedback. ↳ Feedback isn’t a “nice to have” ↳ It’s essential to polish, balance, improve.If you’re not ready for every stage,you’re not ready to keep your game alive.Mistakes in planning cost more than time.In games, they cost players.

Sergei Vasiuk November 12

Journal

Are you interested in Game Development?

Are you interested in game development?From where should you start? 🤔 I've got a quirky fix for this!Ever tried picking a game profession...by playing a game?You’re just a few easy questions away.Warning: May contain humor, sarcasm, cynicism and typos.Funny enough, I followed the path of 'Do you like to be alone'.Ended up as a Voice Actor. 🤷‍♂️I mean, come on, really? 😂So, let's flip the script.What's your profession?Let's game-ify this choice!

Sergei Vasiuk November 10

Journal

Craft your own Master’s Degree in Game Publishing

Want to craft your own Master’s Degree inGame Publishing (in 6 months)? READ THESE BOOKS!My name is Sergei. ✋ I’m an INSEAD MBA graduate.I've honed skills with 200+ business books.Here's the truth:Books hold 87% of the knowledge you seek. So, I've designed a 6-month personalMaster’s Degree program for you.Your 6-month challenge:12 books, 2 each month.Here we go:📘 One UpBy Joost van DreunenSubject: Games Evolution📘 Console WarsBy Blake J. HarrisSubject: Entrepreneurship📙 The Art of Game DesignBy Jesse SchellSubject: Game Design📙 Blood, Sweat, and PixelsBy Jason SchreierSubject: Game Development📗 Hacking MarketingBy Scott BrinkerSubject: Marketing📗 Thinking, Fast and SlowBy Daniel KahnemanSubject: Behavioral Economics📕 Social ArchitectureBy Pieter HintjensSubject: Community📕 The Book of EsportsBy William CollisSubject: Esport📒 The Game LocalizationBy Heather Maxwell ChandlerSubject: Localization📒 Video Games LawBy S. Gregory Boyd, Brian Pyne, Sean F. KaneSubject: Legal 📔 Creativity, Inc.By Edwin Catmull, Amy WallaceSubject: Leadership📔 Freemium […]

Sergei Vasiuk November 5

Journal

Control Your Career Game!

On November 1, 2012, I joined Wargaming. This is how I stay relevant in the gaming industry after 12 years at ONE company.(My 12 tips to control your career game)Before you jump out... NО, I don’t want to be in one place for 12 years. For me, it's about what this enables and how to act:Ready to dive in? Here we go.1. Use Humor2. Build Network3. Foster Optimism4. Embrace Risk-Taking5. Acknowledge Setbacks6. Enhance Personal Branding7. Continuous Learning8. Develop Adaptivity9. Seek Mentorship10. Showcase Work11. Attend Events12. Track TrendsAnything else, Sergei? ✋I like to wake up on Saturday and dream.I like to visualize Friday evening’s results. I like to eat ice cream with espresso.Hope this help!Please repost! ♻️ Appreciate it.I really want to help many thrive in gaming for a fulfilling, positive and real life.And with that → positive, real results.Thank you […]

Sergei Vasiuk November 4

Journal

Great games know this key to players’ needs!

Great games know this key to players’ needs! Ever noticed the magic of a successful game? ↳ It's driven by passionate, engaged players.(The wheel's been invented, use it)Psychologist Abraham Maslow designed apyramid to classify human needs in 1943.🟢 We all have 5 types of needs: • Basic needs (food, water, shelter).• Safety needs (health, employment).• Belonging needs (friendship, intimacy).• Esteem needs (dignity, respect, purpose).• Self-actualization needs (creation, beauty).Players are humans↳ who seek their needs in your game.By applying this hierarchy to gamers' needs,you build a community around your game. 🟢 Here's the Players' Hierarchy of Needs.Every level aligns with a player's needs.• Basic needs → Fun• Safety needs → Trust• Belonging → Community• Esteem needs → Recognition• Self-actualization needs → Contribution🟢 The hierarchy guides your questions:• What do players need?• Which needs does my game meet?• How do I convey […]

Sergei Vasiuk November 2

Journal

What’s the supreme boss level in Game Dev?

What's the supreme boss level in game dev? A question comes up a lot from my students↳ especially those aspiring to be solo devs.Solo dev is tough; prepare to be:• Developer • Level Designer • Content Writer• Game Designer• UX / UI Designer• Release Engineer• Audio Engineer• 2D/3D Artist• Tech Artist• Animator• TesterAnd the list goes on and on and on...I'm not here to crush any dreams, but… solo ambitions may not always be realistic.Sure, there are exceptions. 🍀 In truth, creating complex games solorequires exceptional talent and ample time.So, what's the "boss level" for aspiring devs? It's forming a hashtaghashtag#TEAM OF LIKE-MINDED.As simple and as challenging as it sounds.Fellow Gaming Pros, let's networks!• Comment to introduce yourself.• Engage with others in the comments.• Feel free to send connection requests.Thank you for considering a connection. 🙏 (｡◕‿‿◕｡)Let me start:I’m Sergei, […]

Sergei Vasiuk October 29

Sergei Vasiuk

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