Metagame Design
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Transcript of Metagame Design
MetaGame Design!Reward Systems that Drive Engagement!
Amy Jo Kim CEO, Shufflebrian!
What is a Metagame?
Using out-of-game info or resources !to affect in-game decisions!
Gaming definition!
Layering an rewards system onto an existing activity
Metagames are Everywhere
Collecting!Complete Collections Gain Status, Access, $$!
Behavior Chart!Collect Stickers Earn Privilege or Prize!
Karate!Develop Skill Earn Rank, Prestige, Powers
Scouting!Complete Tasks Earn Badges, Rank, Prestige, Powers
Frequent Flyer Programs!Spend Money Earn Points Redeem for Flights
Arcade!Spend Money Earn Points Redeem for Items
Text RPG!Complete Missions Earn Points Redeem for Items
Contest/Raffle Take Action MAYBE Win Item
Contest/Raffle Take Action Maybe Win Item
Tournament!Play Sport Enter Tournaments Earn Ranking/Trophies!
Leagues & Teams are part of this!
Tournament!Play Sport Enter Tournaments Earn Ranking/Trophies!
So how do you design a Metagame?
Metagame Design Framework
Viral Outreach
Feedback & Rewards
Points
Metagame Engagement Loop
Post updates, give gifts,
send taunts
Get feedback, earn rewards
Take actions, earn points
Act React Customize Create Earn Spend
Step 1: Assign points to actions
Viral Outreach
Feedback & Rewards
Points
Which ACTIONS earn points?
Which REACTIONS earn points?
3 Types of points
1) Experience Points (XP) - earned directly via players’ actions - track & reward socially/economically useful player actions
2) Skill Points (Score, Rank) - earned via interacting with the system - based on mastery of the activity or game
3) Influence Points (Rating, Reputation) - earned via the actions of other players - proxy for quality/reputation/influence - track & reward socially valuable contributions & actions
Is your points system tracking skill, experience, or both?
Is your points system assigning ratings to people or objects?
Can you Spend your points?
Levels Leaderboards Roles Reputation Missions Challenges Achievements Collections
Step 2: Add Feedback & Rewards
Viral Outreach
Feedback & Rewards
Points
Levels are shorthand for participation and achievement
Leaderboards identify, motivate and reward your most devoted players
Social Leaderboards drive competition and enable missions
Leaderboards can cause problems - don’t be afraid to remove/hide/change
Missions tell players what to do next!
Mission-driven engagement loop
Post updates, give gifts,
send taunts
Get feedback, earn rewards
Accept Mission
Update Mission
List
Take actions, earn points
Reputation and Ratings track quality/skill + motivate contributions!
Achievements provide short-term goals + sense of progression!
Motivate newbies with easy-to-earn rewards!
Motivate power-users with scarce resources!
Motivate contributors with a rating system!
Updates Gifts Sharing Invites
Step 3: Grow through Viral Outreach
Viral Outreach
Points
Feedback & Rewards
What are the ‘social moments’ in your game?
Competition Bragging, Taunting, Challenging
Cooperation Sharing, Helping, Gifting
Self-Expression Check out my character/outfit/farm/page
Case Study: Farmville
XP + coins earned by completing tasks
Customize your character
purchase seeds
Plant & Harvest Crops
Help Neighbors
Design & Develop Your Farm
Buy exclusive items with $$$
Tutorial introduces pts, levels, rewards
Earn coins, level up, buy more stuff
Leaderboards facilitate social interactions
Achievements come early & often
Achievements displayed as collections
Achievements displayed as collections
Help your neighbors, then brag about it
Many opportunities for self-expression
Gifting pulls people into the game
Case Study: Stack Overflow Technical Q&A site w/crowd-sourced moderation
Ask/answer good questions to build Reputation!
Leaderboards for Reputation score!
Earn badges by performing basic site tasks!
Question: why no viral outreach?!
1. Create a coherent experience that unfolds over time
5 Tips for Designing a Compelling Metagame!
1. Create a coherent experience that unfolds over time
2. Define a points system (XP, social pts, redeemable pts) that supports your purpose and audience
5 Tips for Designing a Compelling Metagame!
1. Create a coherent experience that unfolds over time
2. Define a points system (XP, social pts, redeemable pts) that supports your purpose and audience
3. Introduce feedback and rewards that motivate newbies, enthusiasts, and contributors
5 Tips for Designing a Compelling Metagame!
1. Create a coherent experience that unfolds over time
2. Define a points system (XP, social pts, redeemable pts) that supports your purpose and audience
3. Introduce feedback and rewards that motivate newbies, regulars, enthusiasts, and leaders
4. Design rewards that players will be eager to share
5 Tips for Designing a Compelling Metagame!
1. Create a coherent experience that unfolds over time
2. Define a points system (XP, social pts, redeemable pts) that supports your purpose and audience
3. Introduce feedback and rewards that motivate newbies, regulars, enthusiasts, and leaders
4. Design rewards that players will be eager to share
5. Use “game pacing” to grant rewards over time
5 Tips for Designing a Compelling Metagame!