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In the last few years, web games have become one of the most popular ways for users to engage with fun and entertaining content. At Playgama.com, we regularly analyze gaming platforms and believe that understanding game metrics is crucial for developers.
For this series of articles, we will explore the player journey from seeing the game banner on the gaming platform to becoming an engaged and paying user for the game.
Get ready for an exciting adventure!
The journey begins when the player sees an ad or banner on the gaming platform. At this stage, the most important element is an appealing and informative game banner or icon. The banner should clearly describe the game and be appealing to your target audience.
Once a player enters the game, they have already shown interest. The crucial thing in this step is engaging the player. This is where FTUE (First-Time User Experience) comes in—developers should ensure that the first-time user experience is well-balanced and enjoyable for players. Players should be rewarded for each step they take in the game. Also, be sure to collect analytics at every stage.
For example, analytics should be collected for the following steps:
- Player starts the game
- Player starts the tutorial
- Player completing tutorial steps (in this step, we understand that the player already knows how to play, and we don’t lose the player because of hard controls or gameplay)
- Player completing levels
- Player returning to the game
- Player accessing the in-game shop
- Player making their first purchase
Returning players are the most important players for us, and we should keep them engaged as long as possible. This is where one of the most important metrics for game development comes in—Retention.
Retention is a key metric that measures player engagement and indicates the percentage of users who return to the game.
Day N Retention = (Number of users that launched an app on Day N / Number of users who installed an app N days ago) * 100%
The formula above illustrates how retention rates show the number of returning users each day after they install the game
How to Optimize the First-Time User Experience (FTUE)
- Introduce mechanics gradually instead of overwhelming players.
- Keep tutorials short, interactive, and rewarding.
- Reward the player within the first 5-10 seconds to create a dopamine loop.
- For example, games like Paper.io start instantly with smooth onboarding instead of requiring lengthy instructions.
Use Progression & Rewards Smartly
- Add daily rewards to encourage return visits.
- Use a leveling system or achievements to make players feel progress.
- Implement streak-based rewards (e.g., “Play 5 days in a row to unlock a special skin!”).
- Example: Many hyper-casual games use coins or XP-based leveling to keep users hooked.
Make Controls & UI Intuitive
- WebGL games should work flawlessly on both desktop and mobile browsers.
- Keep controls simple and responsive (avoid unnecessary clicks).
- Add smooth animations (using DOTween in Unity can make UI more satisfying).
- Example: Slither.io has super smooth controls that keep players engaged for long sessions.
Encourage Competition & Social Play
- Add leaderboards and allow users to challenge friends.
- Use real-time or asynchronous multiplayer features.
- Implement ghost mode (letting players race against their previous best or a friend’s best time).
- Example: Games like Agar.io thrive on competitive gameplay with real-time ranking.
Keep the Player Curious & Excited
- Use mystery mechanics (e.g., unlocking new characters, skins, or levels).
- Introduce unexpected events (like surprise challenges or hidden rewards).
- Keep adding new content updates to maintain engagement.
- Example: Web games that introduce seasonal events or limited-time skins see higher retention.
By implementing these tricks, you can boost engagement and retention, keeping players hooked on your WebGL game!
If you have an exciting game that you want to release to over 250 million players, visit us at Playgama.com!