The AI Companions and Algorithmic Symphonies in Games
Play Less For More
The freemium model has taken the gaming industry by storm, offering players the thrill of gaming while allowing developers to generate revenue. This model typically employs three primary monetization methods:
Stats-based: This method directly impacts gameplay, allowing players to purchase in-game items that enhance their performance or grant an advantage over other players. This is prevalent in massively multiplayer online (MMO) games and strategy games. Examples include acquiring better weapons, accumulating more resources, or accelerating building or unit upgrades.
Cosmetic, Features, and Content-based: This method focuses on non-gameplay affecting items that enhance visual appeal or provide additional features. These items often include skins, avatars, new content or features, and level progression boosts. This approach is commonly used in casual games and esports titles, such as Candy Crush, Toon Blast, League of Legends, and Fortnite.
Subscription-based: Unlike traditional subscription models where players pay a fixed monthly fee for unlimited access, freemium games often employ a subscription model that offers additional privileges or perks. This can include ad removal, access to exclusive tournaments, or the ability to unlock additional free content or features. Examples include battle passes and ad-free subscription options.
There are two common methods used to increase the pay rate in freemium games Today. The first method involves setting up a paywall at some point during the game, which either forces players to pay real money to progress or spend a significant amount of time to grind through the paywall if the game even has such an option. The second method, which casual games like Candy Crush, Coin Master, and Toon Blast employ, is known as the "Carrot and Stick" approach. This approach involves enticing players to spend money on in-game items by dangling a carrot in front of them, but not necessarily forcing them to do so.
Toon Blast is a popular example of a game that utilizes the "Carrot and Stick" approach (Including some tips to counteract them):
One More Move Short: Players who have spent some time playing puzzle games like Toon Blast or Candy Crush may recall they saw many situations where they were just one move short of winning a level, only to be prompted to use an item or coins to get more moves (Toon Blast has a new option to watch ads too), which would require real money after the free items have been exhausted.
Unlimited Lives: The game becomes significantly more challenging when players reach the 15 or 60-minute Unlimited Lives status. I usually avoid activating the Unlimited Lives myself or stop playing until the status is reset.
Weekly tournaments: Many games host weekly tournaments where players join teams or clans to compete for specific goals. Players are typically rewarded based on their team's performance and the individual level within their team. These tournaments are designed to keep active players engaged and attract potential payers with moderate to high skill levels to make in-game purchases. For instance, if the top reward for a tournament is 2,000 coins (typically costs $20.00), then imagine a player is reaching second or third place after dedicating six days to a seven-day long tournament, only to have your hopes of winning dashed in the final few hours. With such a significant investment of time and emotion at stake, the prospect of the player paying $2.00 to win/save a $20.00 prize may seem like a great deal all of a sudden. However, a crucial aspect of these tournaments is that many of them, along with their participants (AI companions), are not "real". The entire experience is orchestrated by an algorithm designed by the game developers. For example, the earlier you start playing, the more effort you'll need to exert, and your chances of winning will also decrease. You'll notice that there's always one player who quickly catches up and surpasses you, creating a constant carrot-and-stick situation. Your past login pattern also played a role here. To exploit these less-than-perfect algorithms, one effective strategy is to begin playing in the very last hour or so, depending on the specific game.
Level Difficulties: Dynamic level difficulty is another algorithm implemented by game developers to “soft cap” player progression. This algorithm considers two key factors: overall player progress and individual player performance. For example, when a significant portion of players reaches the 70th percentile, indicating successful completion of most levels, the game's overall difficulty will gradually increase. This algorithm aims to prevent the depletion of content too rapidly and ensure a continuous supply of challenges for players. This explains why Toon Blast and Candy Crush loyalists at the 99th percentile may often find it initially challenging to conquer the latest level updates within the first week.
Let’s also look at Coin Master as another example of playing less for more. (less effort and more progress) As indicated in the screenshot below, I initiated most of the tournaments only 30 minutes to an hour before their scheduled end, depending on the specific setup. This approach has consistently resulted in substantial rewards, all without the time for level grinding or paying any real money.
For casual gamers who simply enjoy playing games as a way to unwind and pass the time, there's no need to overthink strategies or get bogged down by complex mechanics. However, for players who find themselves getting stuck on levels for too long or who are more progression-oriented, I hope these tips will help you break through those barriers. If you found these tips helpful, please share them with your friends and family so they can also level up their gaming experience!