Metagame Design

MetaGame Design! Reward Systems that Drive Engagement! Amy Jo Kim CEO, Shufﬂebrian!

What is a Metagame?

Using out-of-game info or resources ! to affect in-game decisions! Gaming deﬁnition!

Layering an rewards system onto an existing activity

Metagames are Everywhere

Collecting! Complete Collections  Gain Status, Access, $$!

Behavior Chart! Collect Stickers  Earn Privilege or Prize!

Karate! Develop Skill  Earn Rank, Prestige, Powers

Scouting! Complete Tasks  Earn Badges, Rank, Prestige, Powers

Frequent Flyer Programs! Spend Money  Earn Points  Redeem for Flights

Arcade! Spend Money  Earn Points  Redeem for Items

Text RPG! Complete Missions  Earn Points  Redeem for Items

Contest/Raffle Take Action  MAYBE Win Item

Contest/Raffle Take Action  Maybe Win Item

Tournament! Play Sport  Enter Tournaments  Earn Ranking/Trophies! Leagues & Teams are part of this!

Tournament! Play Sport  Enter Tournaments  Earn Ranking/Trophies!

So how do you design a Metagame?

Metagame Design Framework Viral Outreach Feedback & Rewards Points

Metagame Engagement Loop Post updates, give gifts, send taunts Get feedback, earn rewards Take actions, earn points

Step 1: Assign points to actions Viral Outreach Feedback & Rewards Points Act React Customize Create Earn Spend

Which ACTIONS earn points?

Which REACTIONS earn points?

3 Types of points 1)  Experience Points (XP) - earned directly via players’ actions - track & reward socially/economically useful player actions 2)  Skill Points (Score, Rank) - earned via interacting with the system - based on mastery of the activity or game 3)  Influence Points (Rating, Reputation) - earned via the actions of other players - proxy for quality/reputation/influence - track & reward socially valuable contributions & actions

Is your points system tracking skill, experience, or both?

Is your points system assigning ratings to people or objects?

Can you Spend your points?

Step 2: Add Feedback & Rewards Viral Outreach Feedback & Rewards Levels Points Leaderboards Roles Reputation Missions Challenges Achievements Collections

Levels are shorthand for participation and achievement

Leaderboards identify, motivate and reward your most devoted players

Social Leaderboards drive competition and enable missions

Leaderboards can cause problems - don’t be afraid to remove/hide/change

Missions tell players what to do next!

Mission-driven engagement loop Post updates, give gifts, send taunts Accept Mission Get feedback, earn rewards Update Mission List Take actions, earn points

Reputation and Ratings track quality/skill   + motivate contributions!

Achievements provide short-term goals   + sense of progression!

Motivate newbies with easy-to-earn rewards!

Motivate power-users with scarce resources!

Motivate contributors with a rating system!

Step 3: Grow through Viral Outreach Viral Outreach Updates Gifts Feedback & Sharing Rewards Invites Points

What are the ‘social moments’ in your game?

Competition Bragging, Taunting, Challenging

Cooperation Sharing, Helping, Gifting

Self-Expression Check out my character/outfit/farm/page

Case Study: Farmville

XP + coins earned by completing tasks

Customize your character

purchase seeds

Plant & Harvest Crops

Help Neighbors

Design & Develop Your Farm

Buy exclusive items with $$$

Tutorial introduces pts, levels, rewards

Earn coins, level up, buy more stuff

Leaderboards facilitate social interactions

Achievements come early & often

Achievements displayed as collections

Help your neighbors, then brag about it

Many opportunities for self-expression

Gifting pulls people into the game

Case Study: Stack Overflow Technical Q&A site w/crowd-sourced moderation

Ask/answer good questions to build Reputation!

Leaderboards for Reputation score!

Earn badges by performing basic site tasks!

Question: why no viral outreach?!

5 Tips for Designing a Compelling Metagame! 1.  Create a coherent experience that unfolds over time

5 Tips for Designing a Compelling Metagame! 1.  Create a coherent experience that unfolds over time 2.  Define a points system (XP, social pts, redeemable pts) that supports your purpose and audience

5 Tips for Designing a Compelling Metagame! 1.  Create a coherent experience that unfolds over time 2.  Define a points system (XP, social pts, redeemable pts) that supports your purpose and audience 3.  Introduce feedback and rewards that motivate newbies, enthusiasts, and contributors

5 Tips for Designing a Compelling Metagame! 1.  Create a coherent experience that unfolds over time 2.  Define a points system (XP, social pts, redeemable pts) that supports your purpose and audience 3.  Introduce feedback and rewards that motivate newbies, regulars, enthusiasts, and leaders 4.  Design rewards that players will be eager to share

5 Tips for Designing a Compelling Metagame! 1.  Create a coherent experience that unfolds over time 2.  Define a points system (XP, social pts, redeemable pts) that supports your purpose and audience 3.  Introduce feedback and rewards that motivate newbies, regulars, enthusiasts, and leaders 4.  Design rewards that players will be eager to share 5.  Use “game pacing” to grant rewards over time

Thank you! ! amyjokim@gmail.com Amyjokim Twitter, Facebook, Slideshare

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Metagame Design

by Amy Kim

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