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Episode Name:
Understanding User Behavior and Maximizing Player Retention
Episode Description:
Retaining players for any game is a constant challenge. While it’s an ongoing obstacle many of us face, sometimes, having a better understanding of players can go a long way.
Join us today as we delve into the realm of user behavior, exploring strategies to captivate and maximize player retention. Discover how understanding player psychology and implementing effective engagement tactics can transform indie games into lasting experiences that keep players coming back for more.
Q?Box Round Answers
What’s your main approach to tackling problems?
There are no problems, there are only solutions’ a former boss of mine used to say. I liked that approach since it makes you look at problems in a more positive way, which limits the emotional load and overhead attached to them. Also, I think problems are great, because they mean business! Entrepreneurs are problem solvers. They listen to what the problem of an audience is, they offer a solution and make money with it. I do my best to approach tackling problems with a positive mindset – don’t let them take over emotionally, just see them as a puzzle to solve. Btw.: I am a climber, and did you know that the routes at the bouldering gym are called “problems”? Solving them is what it’s all about – it’s the fun part!
Biggest gaming pet peeve?
Overuse of rhombus shapes in UIs, grappling hooks everywhere, and bad tutorials in AAA games!
What game are you playing now?
Final Fantasy VII Remake & Baldur’s Gate III
TIPS and ADVICE
We covered quite a bit today. Could you list 3 suggestions or tips you would recommend to indie devs based on our discussion?
- Focus on intrinsic motivation to create user engagement and therefore retention! I like to refer to the Self-determination Theory. Build all your features in accordance to this, and avoid extrinsic incentives that undermine intrinsic motivation.
- The strongest and most engaging game features are worthless, if your players can’t access them! Accessibility is key and extremely underrated.
- Measure! Retention and engagement metrics are key to understand were your players drop out, and your data often lead to more useful conclusions than just asking your audience.
RESOURCES and LINKS
How to get in touch with Patrick Rose
Website: https://linktr.ee/patrickrose
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