The Irrational Mind | With Kristen Berman What growth teams can learn from game designers | Joel Burgess & Dan Vader (Grindstone)
Dec 22, 2024
Joel Burgess, co-founder of Soft Rains and director at Capybara Games, alongside Dan Vader, Creative Director at Capybara, dive into the intricate world of game design. They discuss how onboarding can shape player retention and the role of strategic game mechanics in fostering engagement. The duo offers insights into pricing psychology and leaderboard dynamics, while sharing tips on balancing complexity in gameplay. Their innovative approach in designing Grindstone emphasizes character evolution and evolving game dynamics, making for a compelling conversation.
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Boss Blitz Placement
- Grindstone's "Boss Blitz" mode, where players fight all bosses consecutively, wasn't as successful as hoped.
- Its in-world placement made it hard to find, unlike typical menu-based modes.
Foregrounding Choices
- To improve opt-in rates for features like "Boss Blitz," use a main menu.
- Offer clear choices for different game modes upfront.
Daily Grind Success
- Daily Grind, a daily leaderboard mode with random levels, was a success.
- It offered varied gameplay, a comeback mechanic, and broader content access.