Retention Mechanisms in MMORPGs

Lecturer: David Ryan Hunt, Flying Lab Software

A discussion of over a dozen different systems common to many MMORPGs and how they improve long-term player retention. This covers design elements that are both old and new, with discussion of how they relate to the presenter’s experiences in game design. The areas discussed include task expansion, game balance, rewarding all activities, group gameplay, sustainable content, identifying with your character and more.

Throughout the presentation, there will be examples of what worked and what problems rose to the surface during the development of an independent Multi-User Dungeon. The completed product proved to be exceptionally strong at long-term player retention.

Intended Audience: System designers, anyone interested in retention

Prerequisites: None

Format: Lecture

Track: Design

Date/Time: Tuesday, 9:00 AM

Room: Seaport

DavidRyanHunt_RetentionMechanismsInMMORPGs_ION2008.ppt