Designing Game Monetization Around Player Motivation

This analysis organizes the evidence behind designing Game Monetization Around Player Motivation, then explains the practical implications, trade-offs and current limits.

Read the evidence below as a decision trail: what changed, why it matters, which trade-offs shaped the result, and where the conclusion still depends on context.

How is the game designed? It helps you know what players want when designing games, organizes timely events during game operations, and organizes ad creatives!Before we begin, let's play a little quiz to see which type of player you are:http://bit.ly/3uQc4az

The player classification theory proposed by Richard Bartle in 1996 has many definitions available online, but here we will discuss itThe key is "the setting of payment points and the emotional appeal of the ads."

1. Why do we need to know what types of players there are?
2. First, let's understand these four basic classification models
3. Classification models are applied in game design10 payable points are set up
4. Identify the creators of advertising creatives from the classification model 12 emotional appeal
5. Conclusion: Limitations of model applications and important points to note

PS: If you already know the type classification, you can start reading directly from point 3

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How should games be designed? Why do we need to know what types of players are?

To better understand which game content players find interesting, and to understand how different types of players behave in various situations, it helps toYou can set up mechanisms specifically designed to attract specific groups

In advertising placement and market operations, it can also target specific players,The same game offers content that satisfies different players!

Let's see which of the four types you belong to

The more actively you play the game, and the more you play enough, the more accurately you can infer your personality type, and vice versa

After completing the above quiz, you can look at a simple explanation
Find out what type of player you are (the key point is discussed below!). ）
Exploratory Type:
Value whether you have enough understanding of the game, enjoy interacting with the game itself, and focus more on the gameplay process rather than the result

Social type:
Value interaction with other players, expand your circle of friends by joining or forming guilds, and even social connections outside the game (have you ever seen a social leaderboard in games?).) can be further divided into active and passive types (see explanation below)

Achievement Type:
He values his "completion" in the game (cap, combat power, full achievements), enjoys overcoming various difficulties, even though this requires repeating the same tasks (farming soldiers, skipping endurance quests).

Killer type:
Enjoy the experience of destroying others... (You read that right) They value evaluations after battles with other players and like to disrupt the game world. They can be divided into two types: one to show off their strength, and the other to harass or anger other players:

How is the game designed? Find 10 pay-to-win points from 4 types of player models

Tips: Achievement-type groups are the most likely to consume

Social players can be used to expand the player base

Killer players are indispensable, because games without competition gradually lose their appeal

Achievement-type players:

1. Obstacles are set in the ways players can 'win the game.'

The way to win the game is to master it thoroughly and set obstacles along the path players complete (level, power, equipment) so they can do itEnjoy the thrill of completing the act quickly by paying for it

2. Create a stage for achievers to showcase themselves

The achiever enjoys the moment of achievementThe thrill of "showing off" to others, so to give the achiever a chance to showcase it, it can beAchievement leaderboards, special achievement rewards, and even official introductions to achievers,Give achievers the chance to share their stories with other players

3. Setting up a necessary 'competition' when collecting 'rare' items

Collecting rare items is a passion for achievers, but adding competitive elements beyond collecting can enhance the thrill they get, and it can also be a great way to enjoy itTo overcome "competition," they chose to pay

Explorer-type players:

1. Adding "variation" to a consistent game environment

Interspersing "fun" variables within the same game background is like setting up a hidden entrance in a desert, which happens to require obtaining a difficult key. This key can be quickly obtained through "payment," applicable to 2D scenes, 3D scenes, and even UI design

Exploratory players easily get bored with repetitive, completely unseen games

2. Give "surprises" beyond the game's objectives

Exploratory players often do things beyond their original settings. For example, in a pitch-black place with only a single light telling you which direction to go, you deliberately head into the darkness and trigger a new level. The new level is extremely difficult and requires increasing your combat power to clear it

3. Creating an "Environment" Where Explorers Are Not Disturbed

Because there are killer-type players, and killer players interfere with the exploration process, it's not just about blocking killers. Instead, you need to "provide gaps" like setting up safe zones, but to stay in safe zones, you need to buy items or sell "invincible potions for a limited time."

Killer Player:

1. Setting obstacles on his "path of destruction."

Killer players need to become stronger before disrupting others' experiences in the game. There are countless pay-to-win points to set up along the way (equipment, levels, abilities, special effects...)) allowing them to keep paying to shorten game time and enjoy the thrill as quickly as possible

2. Give the thrill and reward of "pursuing goals."

Besides destruction, killer players focus on honor, meaning they gain admiration or envy from others after destruction. Paid points can be placed on visual effects, shiny and eye-catching weapons, obvious rankings, reviews, and so on

Social Players:

Here, we further divide socializers into two types, which makes the following discussion easier to understand

1. An active emotional socializer

They are typical social enthusiasts, passionate about interacting with other players. Paid points can be set up for the most basic need, namely socializing, such as paying to buy items or emojis to post in a channel. More advanced options include the Close Friend System and the Marriage System, which are also great paid points

2. Passive socializers

This type of socializer is not actively seeking interaction with "other players" but focuses more on in-game interactions, such as building relationships with NPCs (the wife system), raising pets, creating and managing their own homes, and enjoying the thrill of "social accumulation."

Paid points are set up for objects in the home system, NPC advanced interaction unlocks, guild territory expansion restrictions, and more

How is the game designed? Find 12 emotional needs for creating ad creatives from player models

When making an advertising video, there are definitely many game features you want to showcase, but cramming them all at once may not be as effective as enhancing a single feature (effectiveness still depends on channel and budget).

1. Achievement type: satisfaction, hierarchy, possessiveness

Example: Many disposable mobile game ads today are (enter TK888 to claim virtual items, start X consecutive draws)

Since achievers are the easiest group to pay for, this type of advertising is rampant, but as long as enough achievers are caught, it can bring considerable revenue to the game

This type of ad focuses on 'acquisition' and 'tier'

That's why this type of ad exists in the market—because the creators are the most valuable

2. Killer type: rapid stimulation, heavy strategy, need for control

Example: Hardcore shooter game advertisement

Hardcore shooters perfectly meet the needs of killer players, thoroughly satisfying the thrill of disrupting other players' experiencesFor an operation-type game, it can...

The display of a strong desire for control is like elements of 'grabbing' and 'occupying.'

3. Exploratory type: Innovative, logic-oriented, and eager for knowledge

Example: Pull-tab game advertisement

The game seems simple, but it really tests observation skills, brainpower, and logic. Combined with unique mechanisms and story-driven puzzles, it perfectly suits the interests of explorers

The key point of advertising display is "Surprise" and "Continuity"

4. Social type: Sensitive, story-driven, and a strong sense of belonging

Example: Managing game advertisements

The following advertisements for Fantasy Home show players asking for help with NPCs, meaning interacting with NPCs and performing other management activities. This perfectly matches the social orientation. If the game requires a large player base, it needs to emphasize interaction, story, and management elements

The key point of advertising display is "Dialogue, 'Business Accumulation'

Limitations and important considerations for model applications!

As players deepen their understanding of the game, their needs change, which in turn changes their type, so fundamentally, no theory or model can fully predict human behavior, the same applies psychologically; during gameplay, players also learn and grow

Setting up payment points doesn't guarantee you'll spend money; every player plays a different role, so setting them is meant to help players enjoy themselves more quickly

What we need is not to categorize and break down players, but toA principle that can explain phenomena is needed to help game design know what players want, and during game operations, events can be held in a timely manner, so that the production of advertising materials can be targeted!

What to take away

The article's value is in the evidence and trade-offs behind designing Game Monetization Around Player Motivation, not in treating the conclusion as universal.