One of the downsides of some video and online games, even great ones, is that they have a singular narrative or a consistent outcome. However, there are a couple of design considerations that can improve the replayability of games, in turn boosting engagement.
Designing Diversified Games
Designing replayable games is becoming increasingly necessary – few people today have the time and attention to play the same game twice. This problem has been a key focus in the world of iGaming, in which developers have experimented with a multitude of techniques to diversify gameplay. When players browse a casino online they may mostly find iterations of the same core game mechanics, but by tweaking the theme of the games, players are provided with several comparable, yet completely different gameplay options.
For example, Big Bass is a popular game for slot enthusiasts online. Instead of playing the same game over and over again, players can also play variations such as Big Bass Splash, Bigger Bass, and Big Bass Mission Fishin’, as well as seasonal games like Big Bass Halloween II and Christmas Big Bass Bonanza. This allows players to experience the gameplay that suits their preferred playing habits, whilst also diversifying the offering within the same game franchise.
In addition to this, some online slot games feature dynamic reels. In playing some of the best Megaways slots such as Bonanza, Gonzo’s Quest, and Extra Chilli, players will be presented with over 117,000 ways to potentially win. This is because the dynamic reels in Megaways games will appear differently and move differently on each spin. In other words, no single spin will be the same as another. This awards players an immersive and engaging experience, as each playthrough will in theory be a unique experience to them every time.
Considerations for Designing In-Game Choices
Taking this same logic, one of the most popular ways to design games that are replayable is to include elements of choice that affect the course and outcome of various plot points and,
indeed, the gameplay itself. These games are often role-playing games (RPG) as this opens up the opportunity for the user to play an active role in shaping the narrative.
In these decision-making games, there are several things to consider. For example, in Game of Thrones and The Quarry, the choices a player makes will affect the survival of the playable and non-playable characters alike, whereas choices in Chrono Trigger and Red Dead Redemption 2 impact the direction of the narrative, how the characters’ traits develop throughout the gameplay, and the overall virtual environment. Consequently, each decision has to feel like an important choice, otherwise the decision-making quality can feel like a waste of time.
Another consideration for designing in-game choices is the phenomena known as the paradox of choice. This theory posits that the more choices we have, the higher our expectations are for the fruits of our decisions, and thus the greater the potential for disappointment. With this in mind, the frequency of the choices throughout the narrative needs to be carefully weighed up against choice overload to find a sweet spot between personalized gameplay and managed expectations on the outcome.
Overall, tweaking gameplay through the use of thematic diversity, dynamic mechanics, and in-game choices can improve the replayability of games. However, it is important to consider the impact and frequency of these elements, in order to design a high-quality game.
