What are some examples of feedback loops that motivate players to keep playing?

Feedback loops are essential elements of game design that influence how players engage with a game and what motivates them to keep playing. A feedback loop is a system that responds to the player's actions and creates positive or negative consequences that reinforce or discourage certain behaviors. In this article, we will explore some examples of feedback loops that motivate players to keep playing in different genres and contexts.

1 Rewards and Progression

One of the most common feedback loops that motivate players to keep playing is the reward and progression loop. This loop involves giving the player rewards for completing tasks, challenges, or goals, such as items, currency, experience points, achievements, or unlocks. These rewards then enable the player to progress in the game, either by increasing their power, skills, or options, or by advancing the story, unlocking new areas, or revealing new content. The reward and progression loop creates a sense of accomplishment, satisfaction, and curiosity for the player, as well as a desire to achieve more and discover more.

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Montgomery Singman

Managing Partner @ Radiance Strategic Solutions | xSony, xElectronic Arts, xCapcom, xAtari
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Rewards hold immense value in games, particularly when players have earned them through effort. The reward size should correspond to the level of difficulty required to obtain it, whether through a long grind or by overcoming tough challenges. Game progression is even more meaningful when players have a clear sense of direction and purpose. Mario's quest is to save the princess, Double Dragon's protagonist strives to rescue his girlfriend from gangsters; in PUBG players aim to be the last one standing, and in Pac-man, players try to avoid ghosts while gobbling up all the dots. Clarity of purpose is vital in games, and players must understand the path to success.

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Asmaa أسماء A.

Digital Nomad | Online Tutor | On a Research Journey Exploring the Use of Digital Games for Positive Change
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"Negative feedback loops work toward maintaining a balance in the system, while positive feedback loops can destabilise the system." from Game mechanics advanced game design. Rewards and Progression is positive feedback loops which makes players feel productive and satisfied but The feelings of satisfaction is not stable which means the players will gradually lose their interest in the game so it is important to add some negative feedback loops to bring balance to the system and let players engaged in game. as I say always without obstacles and challenges, life is a boring game.

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Maurício Piccini

Programador com Doutorado em Literatura
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Exemplo prático: Em um RPG, derrotar inimigos concede pontos de experiência que contribuem para o aumento do nível do personagem. A cada novo nível, o jogador pode distribuir pontos de atributo, desbloqueando habilidades mais poderosas e permitindo que ele enfrente inimigos e desafios mais difíceis, alimentando o ciclo.

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2 Challenge and Mastery

Another feedback loop that motivates players to keep playing is the challenge and mastery loop. This loop involves presenting the player with challenges that match their skill level, such as enemies, puzzles, or obstacles, and providing them with feedback on their performance, such as scores, ratings, or rankings. These challenges then encourage the player to improve their skills, strategies, or techniques, and to seek higher levels of difficulty, complexity, or competition. The challenge and mastery loop creates a sense of challenge, competence, and improvement for the player, as well as a desire to overcome and excel.

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Montgomery Singman

Managing Partner @ Radiance Strategic Solutions | xSony, xElectronic Arts, xCapcom, xAtari
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At Capcom, the focus was not to have NPC/AI defeat players but rather to provide an enjoyable experience. Japanese game design often involves having enemy movements follow the same pattern, with players tasked with learning and memorizing these patterns to defeat them ultimately. The onus is on the players to adapt and improve, not on the AI. As a programmer, this was a significant revelation to me.

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Maurício Piccini

Programador com Doutorado em Literatura
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Desafio e Domínio Outro ciclo de feedback que motiva os jogadores a continuar jogando é o loop de desafio e domínio. Esse loop envolve apresentar ao jogador desafios que correspondam ao seu nível de habilidade, como inimigos, quebra-cabeças ou obstáculos, e fornecer-lhe feedback sobre seu desempenho, como pontuações, classificações ou rankings. Esses desafios então incentivam o jogador a melhorar suas habilidades, estratégias ou técnicas e a buscar níveis mais altos de dificuldade, complexidade ou competição. O ciclo de desafio e domínio cria uma sensação de desafio, competência e melhoria para o jogador, bem como um desejo de superar e se destacar.

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3 Social and Cooperative

A third feedback loop that motivates players to keep playing is the social and cooperative loop. This loop involves connecting the player with other players, either as friends, allies, or opponents, and facilitating communication, interaction, or collaboration among them, such as chat, voice, or emotes. These social and cooperative features then enhance the player's enjoyment, immersion, or involvement in the game, either by creating a sense of belonging, support, or recognition, or by adding a layer of unpredictability, diversity, or tension. The social and cooperative loop creates a sense of sociality, community, and fun for the player, as well as a desire to connect and cooperate.

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4 Exploration and Discovery

A fourth feedback loop that motivates players to keep playing is the exploration and discovery loop. This loop involves creating a rich and diverse game world that invites the player to explore, investigate, or experiment with it, such as environments, characters, or mechanics. These exploration and discovery features then reward the player with surprises, secrets, or insights that enrich their understanding, appreciation, or enjoyment of the game, such as lore, easter eggs, or emergent gameplay. The exploration and discovery loop creates a sense of curiosity, wonder, and creativity for the player, as well as a desire to explore and discover.

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Maurício Piccini

Programador com Doutorado em Literatura
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Exemplo prático: Em jogos de mundo aberto como "The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild", a descoberta de um santuário escondido (exploração) recompensa o jogador com um desafio único e uma poderosa recompensa (descoberta). Essa experiência incentiva o jogador a explorar cada canto do mapa em busca de mais segredos, impulsionando o ciclo de exploração e descoberta.

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5 Customization and Expression

A fifth feedback loop that motivates players to keep playing is the customization and expression loop. This loop involves giving the player the ability to customize, personalize, or modify their game experience, such as their avatar, equipment, or settings. These customization and expression features then allow the player to express their identity, preferences, or style in the game, either by reflecting their personality, mood, or taste, or by creating their own content, stories, or experiences. The customization and expression loop creates a sense of agency, ownership, and uniqueness for the player, as well as a desire to customize and express.

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6 Feedback Loops and Game Design

Feedback loops are not mutually exclusive or independent. They can interact, overlap, or complement each other in different ways, depending on the game design, genre, and context. For example, a role-playing game might combine reward and progression, challenge and mastery, exploration and discovery, and customization and expression loops to create a rich and immersive game experience. A multiplayer online battle arena game might combine challenge and mastery, social and cooperative, and customization and expression loops to create a competitive and dynamic game experience. A sandbox game might combine exploration and discovery, customization and expression, and social and cooperative loops to create a creative and collaborative game experience. The key is to understand how feedback loops affect the player's motivation, engagement, and enjoyment, and how to design them effectively and appropriately for the game's goals, audience, and platform.

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Montgomery Singman

Managing Partner @ Radiance Strategic Solutions | xSony, xElectronic Arts, xCapcom, xAtari
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Games use different types of feedback (audio, video, kinetic) to simulate reality, but too much feedback can confuse players. Prioritizing feedback is crucial for a better experience, as in Madden Football where sound effects were given priority numbers based on their importance and proximity. The constant crowd sounds added authenticity. Prioritization is key for an enjoyable gaming experience.

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Maurício Piccini

Programador com Doutorado em Literatura
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O exemplo de Madden demonstra bem a importância da hierarquia sensorial. Em jogos de tiro, essa mesma lógica se aplica. Sons de passos próximos, tiros na sua direção e o som característico de um inimigo recarregando a arma devem ter prioridade, enquanto sons ambientes, como o vento, devem ter menor intensidade, evitando a sobrecarga do jogador. Essa priorização garante imersão e clareza, crucial para a tomada de decisões estratégicas.

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7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?

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Gokhan Uzmez

Game Consultant| xZynga-Rollic | Mobile Game Product Manager | Business Development | Mobile Game Design
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examples of feedback loops that motivate players to keep playing? Rewarding game play mechanics, actually having fun in the core loop and core mechanics. Giving all the items and customization wont be enough in the long run. Another thing is variety of content, keep it in the main core loop and show direct effect. Palworld, catching a new pal mechanic with haptic feedback, absolutely master piece. Apex Legends, landing a direct critical hit with your character calling out, absolute amazing. Hell Divers 2, shooting a big alien and seeing it exploded all over the place, great direct feedback.

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What are some examples of feedback loops that motivate players to keep playing?

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1 Rewards and Progression

2 Challenge and Mastery

3 Social and Cooperative

4 Exploration and Discovery

5 Customization and Expression

6 Feedback Loops and Game Design

7 Here’s what else to consider

Game Mechanics

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