In the fiercely competitive world of game development, retaining players is as essential as attracting them in the first place. Research shows that retaining players can significantly impact a game's revenue potential. Studies indicate that a 5% increase in retention rates can boost profits by up to 25-95% in gaming and similar industries. However, while launching a game successfully is crucial, maintaining player interest beyond the initial sessions is where the challenge truly lies. To improve player retention, game developers can benefit from using Multi-Session Playtests, a powerful playtesting method that provides insight into player behavior, preferences, and engagement over multiple sessions.

What are Multi-Session Playtests?

A Multi-Session Playtest is a playtesting method designed to evaluate player experiences across multiple gameplay sessions, typically with structured breaks in between. Unlike Single-Session Playtests, which focus solely on the player’s first experience, Multi-Session Playtests enable developers to assess how players engage with a game over time.

Research shows that the top 25% of mobile games have an average session length of approximately 7 minutes, while the median 50% of games see about 3 minutes per session. Multi-Session Playtests mimic this real-world behavior, allowing developers to observe and understand how players interact with the game in these shorter, more frequent sessions.

At Lysto, we advocate for playtesting as an essential component of game development, regardless of a game's genre or its stage of development. Multi-Session Playtests capture data on how players interact with a game during the first play and over subsequent playthroughs. By using this approach, developers can understand how well players remember game mechanics, their ability to re-engage with content, and the recall of important features. With this method, developers can obtain a more holistic view of player engagement, identifying areas that may require refinement.

Benefits of Multi-Session Playtesting for Player Retention

Multi-Session Playtests offer significant advantages for game developers looking to improve player retention. Here are some of the key benefits that make this playtesting method invaluable:

Diagnose Retention Issues Early

Through Multi-Session Playtests, developers can uncover potential barriers to retention at an early stage in the development process. For instance, if players struggle to remember essential game mechanics or features, it could indicate that the tutorial needs improvement. Tutorials should not only teach players how to play but also ensure that the information sticks with them for later stages. Likewise, if players find the game less engaging in later sessions, developers have the opportunity to adjust and enhance the game’s content to maintain interest and depth. Addressing these issues early helps developers create a more compelling experience that resonates with players in the long run.

Replicate Real-World Play Patterns

Mobile gamers typically play in short bursts, often during downtime in their day. Unlike console or PC games that might be played in longer sessions, mobile games are meant to be picked up and enjoyed quickly, over several small sessions. Multi-Session Playtests replicate this behavior, allowing developers to observe authentic engagement patterns. They can assess how easily players return to the game, whether they can seamlessly pick up where they left off, and if they continue enjoying the game after multiple sessions. This realistic view into player habits is critical for designing games that fit seamlessly into players’ daily routines.

Test and Improve Feature Recall

For a mobile game to be successful, it’s essential that players remember the core features, mechanics, and controls after the initial tutorial session. Multi-Session Playtests allow developers to monitor whether players can retain information about gameplay mechanics and essential features across multiple sessions. If players struggle to remember how to use a specific feature or need help recalling controls in later sessions, it’s a clear indication that the tutorial or onboarding process could be refined. By strengthening these early learning experiences, developers ensure players feel confident and comfortable with the game’s controls, which can contribute to greater retention.

Gauge Player Engagement Over Time

Player enthusiasm can fluctuate across different sessions, and Multi-Session Playtests help developers track these changes. For instance, they can observe if players’ interest wanes after the second or third session or if they remain as excited about the game as they were in the beginning. A drop in engagement over time might signal that the game needs additional content, features, or rewards to keep players hooked. Introducing new gameplay mechanics, evolving story elements, or innovative rewards can refresh the player’s interest and make each session feel like a new and exciting experience.

Analyze Complex Data on Player Experience

Multi-Session Playtests provide developers with comprehensive data, feedback, and analytical insights into the player experience. This information includes details on player progression, reactions to challenges, and factors that motivate or discourage them from continuing the game. Developers can use this data to make informed, data-driven adjustments to the game’s difficulty, reward systems, and level design. A well-calibrated game experience not only improves player satisfaction but also keeps them coming back for more.

For instance, if a Multi-Session Playtest reveals that players find the difficulty spikes too steep in certain stages, developers can adjust these levels to create a smoother progression. Similarly, if the data shows that players lose interest after completing a particular type of challenge, developers might consider introducing varied challenge types or unique rewards to keep the gameplay fresh. By continuously refining the game based on insights gathered through Multi-Session Playtests, developers can create a more balanced and rewarding experience for players.

Implementing Multi-Session Playtests: Best Practices

To maximize the effectiveness of Multi-Session Playtests, it’s essential to follow some best practices:

• Define Clear Objectives: Before starting a Multi-Session Playtest, developers should have a clear understanding of what they hope to achieve. Whether it’s to test feature recall, engagement levels, or the effectiveness of a tutorial, setting specific goals allows developers to tailor the playtest experience.

• Segment Play Sessions with Breaks: By structuring the playtest with breaks, developers can mirror real-life gameplay habits. This approach helps evaluate how easily players remember game elements and mechanics after a gap, which provides a more authentic measure of engagement.

• Collect Both Qualitative and Quantitative Data: Qualitative feedback allows developers to understand player sentiments, while quantitative data helps identify patterns in engagement and retention. Gathering both forms of data provides a well-rounded view of the player experience.

• Iterate and Refine Based on Results: The ultimate goal of Multi-Session Playtesting is to refine the game based on findings. Developers should remain open to making adjustments based on player feedback, whether it’s redesigning levels, altering tutorials, or introducing new features to keep players engaged.

  
  

  

A game design team we work with observed a noticeable churn in player engagement between levels 8 and 10, raising concerns that the difficulty curve might be too steep. To explore this, they organized a Multi-Session Playtest with four 20-minute sessions. During these sessions, players provided feedback on level difficulty, enjoyment, and any moments of frustration they experienced.

The results of the playtest revealed clear spikes in difficulty in specific areas, particularly around levels 9 and 10. Armed with these insights, the design team adjusted these levels, creating a smoother progression and ultimately improving player retention by making the gameplay experience more enjoyable and balanced.

Conclusion

In the mobile gaming industry, player retention is key to a game’s long-term success. Multi-Session Playtests offer an invaluable tool for developers seeking to optimize every aspect of the player experience, from onboarding to sustained engagement. Empowering developers to make data-driven improvements that enhance retention. 

At Lysto, we champion Multi-Session Playtesting as a critical part of the game development process. Through careful planning, structured testing, and continuous iteration, developers can create mobile games that not only attract players but also keep them engaged session after session.