The Power of Replayability: What Makes Mobile App Games Addictive?

The Power of Replayability: What Makes Mobile App Games Addictive?

Learning Objective

At the end of the lesson, you will be able to identify the replayability features in mobile app games and understand what makes them addictive.

What do you already know about replayability in mobile app games?

What is Replayability?

Replayability refers to the ability of a game to be played multiple times without losing its appeal. It keeps players engaged and coming back for more.

Key Features of Replayability

1. Rewards: Providing incentives or bonuses for completing tasks.
2. Goals: Setting clear objectives for players to achieve.
3. Audio Feedback: Engaging sound effects or music that enhance the gaming experience.
4. Star Systems: Awarding stars or ratings based on performance.
5. Achievements: Unlocking special badges or trophies for accomplishing specific milestones.
6. High Scores: Competing with others and striving for the top score.

Theorists' Perspectives

According to game designer Jane McGonigal, replayability is enhanced by creating 'epic meaning' in games, where players feel their actions have a greater purpose.
Industry practitioner Jason VandenBerghe emphasizes the importance of 'emergent gameplay,' where unexpected experiences and interactions arise.

Identifying Replayability Through Reward

Task: Choose three mobile app games and identify the replayability features present in each. 

Game 1: Example

Game: 'Candy Crush Saga'
Replayability Features:
- Rewards: Daily bonuses and special power-ups for completing levels.
- Goals: Challenging players to reach certain scores or clear specific objectives.
- Achievements: Unlocking badges for reaching milestones.

Game 2: Example

Game: 'Pokémon GO'
Replayability Features:
- Goals: Catching all Pokémon and completing the Pokédex.
- Audio Feedback: Captivating sound effects and iconic music from the Pokémon franchise.
- High Scores: Competing with friends in raids or gym battles.

Game 3: Example

Game: 'Subway Surfers'
Replayability Features:
- Rewards: Collecting coins to unlock new characters and hoverboards.
- Star Systems: Earning stars based on performance in each run.
- Audio Feedback: Engaging sounds and music during gameplay.

Replayability Analysis

Discuss the replayability features found in the example games.
Which features do they have in common? How do these features contribute to the addictive nature of the games?

Conclusion

Replayability is a crucial factor in keeping players engaged and addicted to mobile app games.
By understanding the key features that enhance replayability, developers can create more compelling and addictive gaming experiences.

Write down 3 things you learned in this lesson.

Have students enter three things they learned in this lesson. With this they can indicate their own learning efficiency of this lesson.

Write down 2 things you want to know more about.

Here, students enter two things they would like to know more about. This not only increases involvement, but also gives them more ownership.

Ask 1 question about something you haven't quite understood yet.

The students indicate here (in question form) with which part of the material they still have difficulty. For the teacher, this not only provides insight into the extent to which the students understand/master the material, but also a good starting point for the next lesson.