Designing a reason to come back

Rethinking a core reward loop to balance player behavior, retention, progression, and monetization.

Role: UX Designer · Gaming
Year: 2023–2025
Scope: Gacha systems and reward loops
Collaboration: Product and Game Design

The question behind the work

How might a reward loop give players a reason to come back?

Outcome

The gacha loop redesign increased player participation.

01 / Context

A core loop in a live game

At Trick Studios, I designed experiences for Marvel Strike Force across combat and gacha systems, working alongside Product and Game Design.

Fictional mobile game reward reveal and return-event screens — Illustrative concept mockup

02 / Challenge

Balance engagement and progression

The gacha experience needed to balance player participation, retention, progression, and monetization. I worked with Product and Game Design on the system and its experience.

Three fictional reward-loop concepts compared across mobile game screens — Illustrative concept mockup

03 / Evidence

Validate with players

I validated solutions through playtests, research, and player communities, using those inputs to shape the experience.

Illustrative research synthesis board with a reward journey and playtest inputs — Illustrative concept mockup

04 / Outcome

More participation

The redesign of gacha loops increased player participation.

Fictional game reward loop from play through reward to a next milestone — Illustrative concept mockup