Rewarding Play: A Roadmap for In-Game Success

In this session, Unity’s Lead Analyst and Consultant, Nathan TenBoer, explores the strategic design and implementation of in-game rewards in free-to-play mobile games. The talk unpacks the psychological drivers behind player engagement, the critical role of rewarded advertisements, and how thoughtful reward systems can elevate player retention and revenue without compromising game balance. Through case studies and real-world data from Unity and LevelPlay, attendees will gain a practical roadmap to creating meaningful and motivating in-game experiences.

Session Objectives:

• Understand the core types and functions of in-game rewards.
• Explore psychological motivators behind player engagement.
• Learn best practices for integrating rewarded ads that support player choice and gameplay.
• Discover how to align rewards with different player types and lifecycle stages.
• Examine key metrics for measuring the effectiveness of reward systems.
• Review data-driven insights and A/B testing techniques for optimizing engagement and monetization.
• Apply practical tips for non-intrusive, high-impact reward design.