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Uploaded byWhite Nights Conference
Alexey Rehlov, Creative Mobile OÜ
The document discusses the role of cycles and rituals in modern free-to-play games, emphasizing how unconscious behaviors influence player engagement and retention. It outlines the formation, complexity, and evolution of gaming cycles while addressing the implications for game design and monetization strategies. Additionally, it highlights the addiction potential linked to these cycles and the importance of continuous development to keep players invested.
Alexey Rehlov, Creative Mobile OÜ
- 1. Cycles, Rituals andUnconscious in modern free-to-play games Aleksey Rehlov | External Producer
- 2. Players don’t know,why they do it 28-01-2016 Cycles, Rituals and Unconscious in modern free-to-play games 2
- 3. Unconscious 28-01-2016 Cycles, Rituals andUnconscious in modern free-to-play games 3 Sigmund Freud
- 4. Habits and rituals 28-01-2016 Cycles,Rituals and Unconscious in modern free-to-play games 4 Konrad Lorenz
- 5. Classic game cycle 28-01-2016 Cycles,Rituals and Unconscious in modern free-to-play games 5 Process Progress Efforts Refill Thinking
- 6. The result ofcycle forming 28-01-2016 Cycles, Rituals and Unconscious in modern free-to-play games 6 0.00% 5.00% 10.00% 15.00% 20.00% 25.00% 30.00% 35.00% 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 Day Rolling Retention After Before
- 7. The result ofcycle forming 28-01-2016 Cycles, Rituals and Unconscious in modern free-to-play games 7 -5.00% 0.00% 5.00% 10.00% 15.00% 20.00% 25.00% 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 Day Ratio of After to Before
- 8. Example of cycleforming daily quests 28-01-2016 Cycles, Rituals and Unconscious in modern free-to-play games 8
- 9. The main attributesof a cycle • Frequency usually decreases during time • Complexity usually increases during time • Adding new cycles • Cycles substitution • Expending cycles • Duration usually increases during time 28-01-2016 Cycles, Rituals and Unconscious in modern free-to-play games 9
- 10. Adding or substitutinga cycle 28-01-2016 Cycles, Rituals and Unconscious in modern free-to-play games 10 Process I Progress Process II
- 11. Examples 28-01-2016 Cycles, Rituals andUnconscious in modern free-to-play games 11 CSR Racing Summoners War
- 12. Expending a cycle 28-01-2016 Cycles,Rituals and Unconscious in modern free-to-play games 12 Process I Progress Process II Progress
- 13. Examples 28-01-2016 Cycles, Rituals andUnconscious in modern free-to-play games 13 Ez Pz RPG Heroes Shop
- 14. Ritual • Ritual isa symptom of addiction • Cycle creates a ritual • Special events in a cycle help to create a ritual The easier and clearer a cycle and the more “cyclic” and “ritualic” life of a player, the easier to form a ritual. 28-01-2016 Cycles, Rituals and Unconscious in modern free-to-play games 14
- 15. Addiction forming stages Lightdedication Dedication Addiction Bonding 28-01-2016 Cycles, Rituals and Unconscious in modern free-to-play games 15 Addiction Time Addiction Stages Light dedication Dedication Addiction Bonding
- 16. The process ofa cycle learning • Information intussusception; • Information understanding, ideas appearing; • Consolidation and developing of knowledge, skills forming; • Practical application of received knowledge and skills; • Reaching of mastering limits. 28-01-2016 Cycles, Rituals and Unconscious in modern free-to-play games 16
- 17. When cycles haveto be changed? • The cycle is mastered or became boring • The cycle doesn't give a progress feeling • The cycle was developed only for the first sessions • The cycle doesn't make necessary monetization level anymore • The cycle motivates to leave the game at the certain time 28-01-2016 Cycles, Rituals and Unconscious in modern free-to-play games 17
- 18. Cycles Ideology • Thebase cycle has to be simple and clear for understanding • Game mechanics have to help to support the cycle: • Daily quests • Strong differentiation between game modes • Management of a cycle length • Ability to make very own cycle on the late game stages • Changing the cycle, when a player is tired or mastered it • Integration of monetization and advertisement into the game cycle 28-01-2016 Cycles, Rituals and Unconscious in modern free-to-play games 18
- 19. The Advice Do notleave the cycle development to the end of the project. The scheme of cycles has to be developed simultaneously with all other main elements, such as monetization, core gameplay, etc. 28-01-2016 Cycles, Rituals and Unconscious in modern free-to-play games 19
- 20. Cycles, Rituals andUnconscious in modern free-to-play games Questions? Aleksey Rehlov | External Producer