How do you design and implement a reward system that motivates and satisfies your players?

2 Balance intrinsic and extrinsic rewards

Intrinsic rewards are those that come from within the player, such as the enjoyment of the gameplay, the sense of accomplishment, or the personal growth. Extrinsic rewards are those that come from outside the player, such as the rewards given by the game, the feedback from other players, or the external recognition. Both types of rewards can be effective in motivating and satisfying players, but they need to be balanced and aligned with the game's core loop and goals. If the extrinsic rewards are too frequent, too easy, or too random, they may undermine the intrinsic rewards and reduce the player's autonomy, competence, or relatedness. If the intrinsic rewards are too scarce, too hard, or too vague, they may frustrate the player and make them lose interest or confidence.

3 Design rewards for different stages

A reward system should not be static, but dynamic and adaptive to the player's progress and context. A reward system should provide rewards for different stages of the player's journey, such as the onboarding, the core loop, the endgame, and the retention. For example, during the onboarding, the reward system should provide frequent and immediate rewards to teach the player the basic mechanics, reinforce the positive feedback, and hook them into the game. During the core loop, the reward system should provide varied and meaningful rewards to sustain the player's interest, challenge, and satisfaction. During the endgame, the reward system should provide rare and valuable rewards to reward the player's dedication, mastery, and loyalty. During the retention, the reward system should provide periodic and surprising rewards to re-engage the player, create anticipation, and encourage replayability.

4 Use reward types and schedules wisely

A reward system can use different types and schedules of rewards to create different effects and emotions in the player. For example, fixed rewards are those that are given at predictable intervals or conditions, such as completing a level, a quest, or a daily login. Fixed rewards can create a sense of security, consistency, and fairness in the player, but they can also become boring, expected, or taken for granted. Variable rewards are those that are given at unpredictable intervals or conditions, such as finding a rare item, a loot box, or a bonus event. Variable rewards can create a sense of excitement, curiosity, and surprise in the player, but they can also become addictive, frustrating, or manipulative. A reward system should use a mix of fixed and variable rewards to create a balance of stability and novelty in the player's experience.

5 Test and iterate your reward system

A reward system is not something that you can design once and forget about. It is something that you need to test, measure, and iterate based on the feedback and data from your players. A reward system should be aligned with your game's vision, goals, and values, but it should also be flexible and responsive to your player's needs, wants, and behaviors. You can use various methods and tools to test and iterate your reward system, such as playtesting, user testing, A/B testing, analytics, surveys, or reviews. By testing and iterating your reward system, you can ensure that it is effective, engaging, and satisfying for your players.