Mastering Freemium Game Mechanics: How To Plan An Effective Reward Schedule
With 26% of apps downloaded in 2010 being opened only once, attracting and retaining user engagement is vital to sustained success for freemium gamers looking to monetize their product. If you want your freemium game to succeed and not be counted in the 26%, it must incorporate strategic rewards schedules. What are they and how to maximize their use are the topic of this week’s focus on freemium.
Freemium Game Mechanics, Reward Schedules Defined
In freemium gaming, there are two kinds of reward schedules most often discussed. The first is fixed interval.
Fixed interval reward scheduling is tied entirely to timing within a freemium game and is popular in games using delay or decay mechanics (think farming, cooking etc). Fixed interval reward schedules strengthen monetization opportunities by offering “hurry” methods. This reward schedule works by providing a gamer the option to bypass the element of time, essentially hurrying an action in exchange for “X”, usually virtual currency. Instead of waiting four hours or two days for a crop to mature or dolphin to grow, you can do it now. Additionally, the fixed interval ties into compulsion loops of advancing game play. A second kind of reward schedule is fixed action.
An example of fixed interval reward scheduling in the iOS game Trade Nations
Fixed action reward scheduling basically presents gamers this value: collect/do/find “X” and achieve “Y”. In plain English, clean a tank, get a dolphin buck. The achievements can be tied to both time and/or action within your freemium game.
An example of fixed action reward scheduling in the iOS game Dolphin Play
Freemium Game Mechanics, Elements of a Good Reward Schedule
- Contingency, a user is clearly educated on what the process for reward is. In other words, they know what needs to be done to achieve advancement, rewards etc.
- Response, when requirements are met, the game must provide clear and consistent messaging of the achievement, this is a great opportunity to build social/share element in your game. Trade Nations is a great example of executing this element well, and allowing an opportunity to share your achievement with your social network.
- Reinforcement, providing positive reinforcement for users who complete desired actions, pass certain time milestones etc. is the final and third component and ties to the response factor of an effective reward schedule.
An example of reinforcement in Trade Nations
Freemium Game Mechanics
Well timed rewards are a key element to successfully retaining active users inside your freemium game and are a key in optimizing your game for monetization success. What other strategies pertaining to reward scheduling have you seen that are effective in engagement and retention?
Matthew Tubergen, Product Manager, Recharge Studios, W3i, LLC
Matt is a mobile content expert with a decade of experience working with brands that include Disney, NFL and LucasArts. Matt heads up W3i’s wholly owned publishing arm and investment fund, Recharge Studios.
February 10th, 2011 at 1:11 pm
[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by W3i, Stefan Bielau. Stefan Bielau said: RT @W3i: Mastering Freemium Game Mechanics: How To Plan An Effective Reward Schedule http://ht.ly/3U73y [...]
March 18th, 2011 at 1:28 pm
[...] game progression. Decay , time and maximum thresholds all should be familiar from the post on reward schedules. These thresholds are tied to events or actions within the game think: farming, cooking, and [...]
July 7th, 2011 at 12:33 pm
[...] game progression. Decay , time and maximum thresholds all should be familiar from the post on reward schedules. These thresholds are tied to events or actions within the game think: farming, cooking, and [...]
January 29th, 2012 at 4:22 am
Really informative post.Really looking forward to read more. Will read on…