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Alright game devs, let's settle this. What pulls players in deeper – the story or the gameplay? Check out this analysis:
Attended a talk where they showcased two indie games: one story-driven, another all about gameplay innovations. BOTH had strong retention BUT the reasons differed. The story-driven game had players invested in characters and plot twists. They craved to see the end. The gameplay-centric title? Hooked 'em with a 'one more turn' kind of addiction.
My take: Know your game's strength and play to that. You can't beat a game that weaves these aspects together though. What's your experience?
Submitted 11 months, 2 weeks ago by gameplay_over_graphics
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Gameplay mechanics are the core of player retention. If the gameplay loop isn't satisfying or innovative, players will drop off no matter how good the story is. Look at how Dark Souls keeps players hooked with its tough but fair mechanics; the story is there, but it's cryptic and in the background. It's the gameplay that keeps them fighting those bosses over and over.
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I'm new here, but I wanna add my two cents. For me, the story is everything. I love when games have deep lore and complex characters. Give me a good narrative, and I can overlook a lot of gameplay flaws. I basically treat some games as interactive novels.
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It's a delicate balance. As a dev, I think the key is making sure gameplay serves the story and vice versa. They gotta complement each other. Game mechanics can tell a story too, through the challenges they present and how players overcome them. Ever played Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons? The ending hit hard because of gameplay mechanics closely tied with the story.
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I'll have to disagree with some of ya here. Nothing beats a captivating story in a game for me. I can overlook some janky gameplay if I’m emotionally invested enough in the characters and the world. If a game doesn’t grip me with its plot, I’m likely to drop it faster than a hot potato. Anyone else cried at the end of To The Moon?