In our recent blog, we discussed how to build player-centric mobile game economies. We deep-dived. We learned about player motivations, behaviors, and spending habits; creating a player-centric mobile game economy; and more. Before today’s topics, you can read our detailed blog to learn why and how to build those economies.
For those who read, we can learn why game rewards are so crucial. They help keep players engaged, prompt returns, and create a community. This blog post will examine different types and their impact on user engagement.
Four Main Game Rewards Types
There are four main types of mobile game rewards, each designed to drive user engagement in different ways. Developers need to know each type to create more enjoyable gaming experiences for their players.
1. Achievement-based Rewards:
People get achievement rewards when they do something in the game, like reaching a milestone or finishing a task. Those often come in the form of in-game currency, in-game prizes, or even unlocking new levels and characters. Achievement-based rewards encourage players to progress through the game and engage in its challenges. Games like Fortnite and Candy Crush Saga have extensive achievement-driven reward systems, which contribute to their popularity.
2. Social Rewards:
Social rewards, like referral and geolocation-based games, encourage players to interact and promote the game. Examples include extra lives or power-ups; discounts on merchandise or access to special events; and in-game bonuses like extra lives or power-ups.
This keeps players interested by fostering a sense of community and social engagement. They are more likely to share their experiences with others.
A prime example of a match leveraging social rewards is Pokémon GO. This game uses geolocation to connect players to real-world locations and encourages them to explore their surroundings with friends.
3. Monetary Rewards
Monetary rewards come in the form of in-game currency or in-app purchase rewards, which can be used to buy items, unlock content, or exchange for real-world currency. These are often earned through gameplay or mobile game loyalty programs. They can motivate continued engagement by providing players with a sense of progression and accomplishment. Some popular games known for their monetary rewards include Clash of Clans and Mobile Legends.
4. Random Rewards
Random rewards, also called “reward-based mobile gaming” or “mobile games with daily rewards,” are awarded to players without specific requirements. Those add surprises and excitement to gaming. Examples include Genshin Impact and Hearthstone, which have captured millions of players worldwide.
Best Game Reward Systems and Examples
Here are examples of daily rewards in mobile games, in-game currency, and prizes for mobile games. Also, we’ll look at reward-based mobile gaming mechanics and app-based game rewards and achievements.
Mobile Game Daily Rewards
Mobile games with daily rewards, such as Clash Royale and Animal Crossing: Pocket Camp, have paid player engagement. These games often provide daily updates. This may include in-game currency, power-ups, or other bonuses for logging in each day.
In-game Currency and Prizes
In many games, in-game currency and prizes help the experience succeed. For example, Fortnite offers a virtual currency called V-Bucks, which can be earned through gameplay or purchased with real money. Players can use V-Bucks to buy cosmetic items, battle passes, and more.
This system encourages players to invest time and effort into the game while also creating opportunities for in-app purchase rewards. PUBG Mobile offers prizes like weapon skins and outfits in-game or through in-app purchases.
Reward-based Mobile Gaming Mechanics
Reward-based mobile gaming mechanics are crucial for creating engaging and enjoyable gaming experiences. For example, Candy Crush Saga gives players power-ups, boosters, and lives by completing levels or participating in special events. These rewards not only give players a sense of achievement but also motivate them to play and tackle more difficult levels.
App-based Games Reward Achievements
App-based game rewards and achievements can help mobile games stand out in a competitive market. Pokémon GO, for instance, incorporates geolocation-driven game rewards that encourage players to explore their surroundings and interact with other players in real life. The game also features a robust achievement system where players can earn badges for completing various tasks. This combination of app-based game rewards and achievements has kept Pokémon GO popular.
Mobile Game Reward Strategies and Design
Creating engaging mobile game reward systems requires a deep understanding of player incentives, trends, and customization. We’ll look at reward tiers, customization, mobile game challenges, and in-game events and rewards to understand their role in user engagement and satisfaction.
Reward Tiers and Customization
In-game reward tiers and mobile game reward customization enable developers to provide more personalized experiences for players. By offering different rewards and allowing players to choose or customize them, developers can appeal to different playstyles and preferences. For example, Fortnite and Apex Legends offer battle passes with many reward tiers, allowing players to unlock content at their own pace. Character skins and emotes also encourage players to continue playing as a personal investment.
Mobile Game Challenges and Rewards
Mobile game challenges and rewards can drive player engagement, particularly when they are linked to limited-time events or seasonal activities. Call of Duty Mobile and PUBG Mobile offer regular in-game challenges that encourage players to complete specific tasks. These challenges often give players in-game currency, skins, or other bonuses, so they must take part.
In-game Events and Rewards
In-game events and rewards can create a sense of excitement and urgency for players, making them more likely to engage with the game during these limited-time periods. Genshin Impact and Mobile Legends host exclusive events, offering rewards and content. These events may introduce updated gameplay, storylines, or collaborations with popular franchises, attracting both old and new players. Developers can keep their games fresh and exciting by leveraging in-game events and rewards.
The Psychology of Mobile Game Rewards
Understanding the psychological aspects of mobile game rewards is crucial for designing effective and engaging reward systems. This section will delve into player incentives and motivation, as well as rewarding items and trends in mobile gaming. This will enable us to better comprehend their impact on user engagement.
Mobile game rewards are linked to player incentives and motivation. Self-determination theory categorizes human motivation into three types: intrinsic motivation, extrinsic motivation, and motivationIn mobile gaming, “intrinsic motivation” is the enjoyment and satisfaction of playing a game.
Effective mobile game reward systems cater to both intrinsic and extrinsic motivation. For instance, daily login rewards or in-game challenges can offer extrinsic motivation by providing players with tangible rewards. Customization options, such as skins or avatars, can foster identity and intrinsic motivation. Striking the right balance between these two types of motivation can lead to higher user engagement, retention, and satisfaction.
Rewarding Items and Trends in Mobile Gaming
Rewarding items and trends in mobile gaming play a significant role in driving player engagement and satisfaction. Some popular trends in mobile game rewards include:
- Gacha Mechanics: Originating from Japanese mobile games, gacha mechanics involve players spending in-game currency or real money for a chance to get random rewards, such as characters or items. This mechanic taps into the psychological concept of intermittent reinforcement.
2. Battle Passes: Many mobile games, such as Fortnite and Call of Duty: Mobile, have battle pass systems. These systems offer players rewards that can be unlocked by completing challenges or leveling up. This system encourages players to keep playing to earn more rewards, fostering progression and achievement.
3. Seasonal Events: Seasonal events and limited-time content can create urgency and excitement among players. For example, games like Overwatch and Pokémon GO offer events during holidays or anniversaries. These events provide unique rewards and content that can only be obtained during these periods.
4. Social Rewards: Social rewards, such as exclusive items or bonuses for referring friends or participating in in-game communities, encourage players to engage with others and spread the word about the game. This approach leverages social proof and network effects to drive player engagement and growth.
Mobile Game Reward Case Studies
This section will look at popular mobile game rewards, mobile gaming reward platforms, and in-game achievements. They can increase user engagement and satisfaction. Here are some examples:
- Clash Royale: This popular strategy game offers daily login bonuses, chests, in-game currency, and a battle pass system with free and premium tracks. These mechanics encourage players to engage and progress through the game.
- Pokémon GO: Niantic’s smash hit game rewards players with unique Pokémon and in-game items based on their real-world location. This innovative approach fosters exploration and adventure.
- Candy Crush Saga: With its simple yet addictive gameplay, Candy Crush Saga has captivated millions of players worldwide. This system includes daily rewards, in-game prizes, and limited-time events and has contributed to its popularity and success.
Rewarding Platforms
As we mentioned in our previous review LiveOps blog, there are numerous options to consider. But if you have a short time, you can look at the best we chose. These platforms offer analytics, customization options, and integration with other tools. Let’s look at what they’re offering developers.
- Game Analytics: This platform provides developers with powerful analytics tools and insights, enabling them to optimize game reward systems and drive player engagement.
- Playfab: PlayFab, acquired by Microsoft, provides developers with a suite of tools, including reward management and customization.
- Firebase: Google’s Firebase platform offers a range of tools for mobile game developers, including analytics, A/B testing, and in-app messaging, facilitating the creation and optimization of game reward systems.
- Ratic: Ratic helps mobile game studios increase revenue by making players more engaged. Its LiveOps tool makes it easy to add features like leaderboards and tournaments, which increase player engagement and revenue.
About Ratic’s Rewarding feature:
Ratic offers a versatile reward pool feature that includes Ratic Points, XP, and items (such as data, skins, and boosts). The rewards encompass several components.
- A. Daily Bonuses: The game studio can provide daily login rewards to users, with customizable days and rewards.
- B. Custom Rewarding: This feature lets game studios set daily winning limits and a multiplier system for users in different countries. This is done with multipliers calculated using the United States as the base country. This system allows optimization based on advertising revenues in different countries.
- C. Tournament Rewarding: The reward system for tournaments is determined based on variables such as tournament duration, level, and score. Tournament processes can be managed via the Ratic dashboard.
- D. Level Rewarding: As users level up, they can earn rewards, providing an incentive for continued engagement and progression in-game.
By adding the Ratic Reward feature, developers can gain a more comprehensive understanding of the available tools and solutions for creating and maintaining engaging systems. This will enable them to cater to their players’ needs and desires.
Conclusion and Future Trends in Mobile Game Rewards
In conclusion, mobile game rewards drive user engagement, retention, and monetization. As the mobile gaming industry evolves, developers must stay abreast of the latest trends and tools. This is to create rewarding experiences that cater to players’ needs and desires.
Future mobile game rewards include personalized, cross-platform integration, augmented and virtual reality, blockchain-based rewards, and a focus on mental health and well-being. By staying informed, mobile game developers can stay competitive. This will enable them to deliver engaging, enjoyable experiences for players worldwide.
Innovative tools like Ratic will shape the mobile game reward landscape. Ratic is an all-in-one solution that empowers mobile game studios to create engaging and entertaining game experiences, offering a wealth of features such as leaderboards, tournaments, rewards, and more. Developers can improve player retention, monetization, and engagement using Ratic.
If you’re a mobile game developer or publisher, explore Ratic for rewards and user engagement. This will unlock your game’s full potential. Don’t miss the opportunity to maximize your revenue and create memorable gaming experiences for your players.
Try Ratic today and discover the difference it can make to your mobile games! Visit Ratic to learn more and get started.
