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Simple Games Can Be Influential

"Banana" shows us why. I have seen skepticism about simple games. People say, "It's just clicking a banana." But here's the reality: "Banana" is a viral sensation. This free to play clicker game on Steam, has captivated over 141,000 players. → Its simple mechanic↳ clicking on a banana↳ has created a massive following.1. Banana Drops:Players receive unique bananas every 3 and 18 hours in their Steam inventory, which can be collected, traded, or sold on the Steam Marketplace.2. Marketplace Dynamics:Most bananas are worth a few cents, but rare ones can fetch higher prices, creating an exciting game economy.3. Community Engagement:"Banana" has a large player base and encourages community involvement with user-submitted banana art.4. Future Updates:The developers will add customizable banana appearances, minigames, and a banana exchange feature.Some call it a "dumb game with bananas," but the developers embrace its quirky […]

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Cut Meetings To Boost Creativity

Game producers, more meetings lead to better games. Said no one, ever. Producers, we get it.You want the best games. You can't afford delays.Ever thought:"How can I spend less time in meetings?"You're not alone.Many producers are realizing meetings eat up creative time. Here's the thing: You can't afford not to create. Creating isn't just fun. It's crucial. We all know about endless meetings. They take time, sure.But there's something even better: Time spent directly on your projects.If you meet too much... It backfires. Creativity drops.Studies show producers who create more:→ Boost productivity→ Get more involved→ Control quality better→ Unleash untapped potential→ Understand the gaming landscapeIn the gaming world, you always have 3 options:Create, delegate, or delay. You chose to create and be hands-on.Here's what you can do instead:1. Focus on Quality: Directly oversee game development.2. Limit Meetings: Only meet when […]

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Live Ops Feature Pipeline: A Complete Guide

Here's a step-by-step breakdown of the process: I. Pre-Production: 1. Concept 💡• Identify feature goals• Specify aspects to improve or develop• Provide references• Define the target audience• Set KPIs and profit forecasts2. Specification 📋• Describe all mechanics, states, user flow, and corner cases• Ensure interaction with other features• Prepare UI/UX mockup• Balance calculation• Team presentation3. Planning 🗓️• Scope estimation: Evaluate the scope of mechanics and art assets• Milestones: Define key milestones• Sprint planning: Break down tasks into manageable sprints• Risks: Identify potential risks II. Production: 4. Development 🛠️• Develop feature components (code, art, UI, level design, VFX, sound, etc.)• Implement key parts• Focus on core user flow and primary use cases5. Prototype 🧪• Initial build with only key mechanics & tutorial• Use draft or placeholder art• Evaluate overall game feel and adjust vision6. Iterations 🔄• Feedback iteration: Refine the feature […]

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The Ultimate Guide to Careers in the Gaming Industry

Explore these career paths and find your fit: 1. Development Roles• Game Design• Art and Animation• Programming• Audio2. Production and Management Roles• Production• Project Management3. Business and Administrative Roles• Marketing and Sales• Human Resources• Finance and Legal4. Support and Technical Roles• Quality Assurance (QA)• Technical Support• IT and Cybersecurity5. Research and Analysis Roles• Research• Data AnalysisTo start your gaming career journey tomorrow.

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There Is No Single Right Approach To A Feature

There's no single right approach to a feature or a game. I learned this lesson early on at Playrix.Years ago, I reviewed a new feature prototype for Fishdom.It was complex, experimental, and heavily inspired by another game.After playing, I felt the prototype missed the mark.The feature didn't evoke the desired emotions like its reference.So, I prepared detailed feedback:• Pointed out the flaws and differences• Suggested changes to align it closer to the referenceI was confident my feedback was perfect.I thought I found the only "right answer," as if it was a math equation.Later on, my mentor looked at my feedback and said:💬 "Anton, your feedback boils down to remaking everything from scratch to get closer to the initial reference.While that may be valid, did you consider finding something that works well and could be developed in a new direction, even […]

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Desire Beats Pain In Game Monetization

Many game designers think the key to successful monetization is creating pain points for players. But this often leads to mediocre conversion rates and significant churns.Why?Because Pain points give players two options to relieve the pain:1. Pay2. Close the gameAnd many will choose to close.A more effective strategy is to create Desire:Make players really want something that requires a purchase.Desire also causes a form of Pain—the Pain of not having what they want.But there's a crucial difference:- Pain points offer two choices to relieve the pain: pay or leave- Desire offers only one: obtain the Desired itemThis way, players feel like they're making their own decisions and getting extra value for their money.In the "carrot and stick" system, the carrot always wins.Desire > Pain

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Scopely Earns a Place Among the Giants

But they didn't just stumble onto the TIME100 list. How to secure your spot? Three key takeaways: 1. Innovate: Scopely's "MONOPOLY GO!" launch was a game-changer, becoming the biggest mobile game launch in the United States.2. Build Community: Gaming isn't just about play and connection. Scopely's "commitment to cultivating highly social experiences" fosters engagement across generations and geographies.3. Create Impact: TIME evaluates companies based on impact. Scopely's growth to the #1 mobile games company in the U.S. demonstrates the significance of their influence.Success comes from the ability to translate vision into reality.Scopely's recognition proves that the gaming industry is not just about entertainment.It's a platform for innovation, community building, and global impact.And remember, it's not about the destination. It's about who you become, the communities you build, and the lives you touch.So, game devs and fans, are you ready to […]

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The Value of QA Metrics in Predicting Game Success

This should help remove your doubts and highlight the critical role of these metrics. Think about these points:• Some developers ignore the importance of QA metrics.• Ignoring QA metrics means missing essential insights.• The need for more understanding and experience.But there's a bright side:• It's never too late to start applying QA metrics.• The gaming community values data-driven methods. Consider these facts: - QA metrics reveal unseen patterns and trends.- Your use of metrics distinguishes you uniquely.- Metrics impact significantly, even with minor changes.- Quality metrics offer consistent product performance.Metrics to consider:1. Time to Fix Bugs2. User Feedback and Ratings3. Performance and Loading Times4. Number of Bugs Found and Fixed5. Percentage of Successful/Unsuccessful TestsStart using QA metrics today and watch your game's potential.

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What Is The Process Of Creating a Narrative In Games?

Here is the pipeline I created and used when I was a Narrative Producer: 0) Logline— High-concept premise— Two or three sentences— Includes the protagonist, goal, and main conflict1) Synopsis— Brief story overview (1-2 pages)— Follows a three-act structure— Outlines main plot points, key characters, and the overall story arc2) Story Outline— Breakdown narrative into acts and major chapters— Highlight key events, character development, and plot twists— Roadmap for the entire story2A) Worldbuilding— Create the game's setting— Focus on aspects that influence the story and characters2B) Characters Passports— Backstory and motivation— Key character traits— Role in the plot— Description of appearance— References2C) Speech Characteristics— Unique speech patterns for each character— Examples: old-fashioned or slang speech, stuttering, etc.— Sample of dialogue3) Chapter Flowchart— Visual representation of story progression— Detail branching paths, scenes, player decisions, and possible outcomes— Indicates game mechanics used […]

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Game Retention Cheatsheet

To improve retention, it's necessary to deconstruct the factors influencing it. Here’s a cheatsheet on how to keep players engaged from the start: I. Short-Term Retention (Day 1-3) 1) Onboarding:🎯 Clear objectives🧠 Minimal cognitive load⚡ Immediate action2) First Impressions:🎨 Strong graphics and good readability🖱️ Intuitive UI/UX📜 Compelling story hook3) Core Gameplay Loop:🎮 Fun & engaging gameplay📏 Easy-to-understand rules🎁 Rewarding sessions II. Mid-Term Retention (Day 3-30) 1) Game Depth:♟️ Diverse strategies🆕 New mechanics🗺️ Side quests2) Live-Ops:🔄 Regular updates🎉 Events⏳ Limited-time content3) Progression & Difficulty:🏆 Balanced challenges📈 Satisfying progression4) Engagement Mechanics:🎁 Daily bonuses🗓️ Quests🔔 Push notifications III. Long-Term Retention (Day 30-360) 1) Meta and Long-Term Goals📑 Narrative🏡 Decor👤 Character customization🎨 Cosmetic items2) Endgame content and loop 🏁3) Social engagement👪 Community Features:🛡️ Guilds and Clans🏅 Leaderboards🤝 Co-op, PvE & PvP events4) Balanced economy ⚖️5) Technical Stability🛠️ Continuous optimization🐛 Bug fixes IV. Monetization 💸 […]

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Why Players Are Jumping The Ship

Most likely you are one of them. To understand why players abandon games before completion, we must understand player behavior and market trends. The main reasons behind this trend: 1. The Challenge FactorDifficulty spikes and frustrating gameplay elements often deter players from going further.2. Engagement ShortfallsGames that fail to consistently engage players with exciting content or mechanics often face high abandonment rates.3. Shiny ObjectPlayers ' preferences constantly evolve with the era of new games and genres being launched.4. The Time DilemmaModern lifestyles allow limited gaming time. Consequently, games that demand significant time investment risk being abandoned for shorter, more accessible experiences.5. Financial AspectsGiven the rising costs of games coupled with economic uncertainties, players may prefer free-to-play games or those sold at discounted prices.

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