The best mobile games today are just as rich as their console counterparts. One reason for this is the multitude of gameplay customizations and personalizations that find their way into mobile game design.
Customization and personalization can make games more engaging and create a deep, personal connection with the player. That connection makes players want to spend more time playing your game, aside from just killing time in the checkout line.
So what are the most essential customizations mobile game designers should embrace? Keep reading to learn more.
1. Skins
Skins are purchasable graphics that replace the default graphics for your game.
Players can apply skins to the interface, backgrounds, characters, in-game items and more. They can also switch between skins as they desire, collecting a menu of options over the course of the game.
2. Avatars
There is nothing quite like creating your own unique character when playing a game.
The ability to personalize the physical appearance of player avatars is one feature you can add to your game design if you are looking to boost engagement. Common personalizations include facial features, skin tone, hair color and so on.
3. Outfits
Giving the player the ability to customize their avatar is essential, so why not offer the ability to dress up their avatar in a variety of outfits?
Players can purchase outfits to deck out their characters or discover them by playing the game. Better yet, you can create individual clothing articles so players can mix up their style outside of pre-made ensembles.
4. Skills
Skills are special abilities that a player can use to customize gameplay.
There are many approaches to developing talent trees, but in general, skills allow the player to choose the strengths that best support their strategy for progressing in your game. Typical of RPG games but applicable to other categories, talent trees give players the chance to build up their characters as they see fit.
5. Consumables
Consumables are in-game items that provide a temporary benefit.
Think of items like power-ups, potions, health kits, etc. Consumables also customize gameplay by giving the player the choice of which consumables to collect and use.
6. Loot Crates
What happens when you put custom skills, items, weapons, and outfits together in a random package? That’s right! You’ve just created a loot crate.
Loot crates have recently become one of the biggest trends in game design and for good reason—they encourage more microtransactions. Because players don’t know what items they’ll get in a loot crate, they may have to purchase several before they finally get one with the items they want.
Enhancing Your Game Design Skills
Personalization and customization are powerful game design tools to have in your arsenal.
By giving the player more control over the gameplay experience, customization can make your game more engaging and enjoyable for players. Creating an in-game currency that players can use to purchase customizations, whether a la carte or through loot crates, is one path towards increasing a game’s revenue potential.
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