Pizza Ready! and Prison Life are two Idle Arcade games by Supercent Inc. released last year. Despite being a year old, they are still pulling in 300K+ and 100K+ daily downloads, respectively according to AppMagic
Let’s take a look at some design strategies fueling these downloads…
Progression Curve
Both games excel in hooking players early. They kick off with small levels that players can complete quickly and get more free rewards. This helps them engage long enough to explore the core gameplay, unlock new areas, and expand their in-game business. Also, both feature game maps which offer players the chance to see the journey ahead, while fostering curiosity and encouraging sustained play
Dynamic Offers
Both titles incorporate immersive floating 3D objects within their environments, enticing players to interact. These often unlock time-limited boosts or upgrades in exchange for watching ads. These offers reward players by making their gameplay experience much smoother, creating a loop that keeps them coming back for more
But why there’s a ~200K+ gap between these?
Power of Theme
Pizza Ready embraces a cooking/restaurant theme that is both relatable and family friendly, giving it a broader appeal, particularly among female players. In contrast, Prison Life resolves around a crime theme which caters to a more niche audience. Additionally, Pizza Ready offers more rewards, familiar features, and much pleasing visuals, making it more inviting to a wider player base
What are your thoughts on these strategies? I’d love to hear your take.
Original Post: Kavindu Priyanath – LinkedIn
