RuneScape Private Servers (RSPS) remain dependent on player retention as the audience is small in comparison to other games. This article will go over why it is important and explain how staff members can improve player retention. Keep in mind that this article does not cover all the ways that a team may retain players, but only goes over a few.
Importance of Player Retention
There’s many ways to go about when it comes to player retention. Some servers focus on transparency and clarity of communication between the community and the team, whilst others focus more on content development or other aspects of the game. Here’s a few methods that you may use or seem in R
- Community Engagement and Interaction: RSPS thrive on a strong, active player community where players can interact and engage with each other in conversation and through gameplay such as group bossing, raiding, skilling or collectively participating in a minigame. A vibrant community fosters interaction, competition, and collaboration, enhancing the overall gaming experience. The smaller the community, the harder it is to interact with multiple players. It is also why large servers generally have greater community satisfaction, as players have the opportunity to interact with someone new on a daily basis.
- Server Growth: Sustained player retention contributes to server growth by attracting new players through word of mouth and positive online reviews on various communities. A larger player base creates a more dynamic and immersive gaming environment. Moreover, providing helpful tutorials, starter guides, and videos can assist new players in familiarizing themselves with the server and its mechanics, increasing the likelihood of them staying and becoming long-term members of the community.
- Quality Assurance: Ensuring a high level of quality in all aspects of the server, including gameplay mechanics, graphics, stability, and customer support, is crucial for attracting and retaining players. Regularly testing and debugging the server to fix any issues or bugs promptly helps maintain a positive player experience and prevents frustration or dissatisfaction among players. Do note that there is a difference in obtaining a high player count for a short period, and retaining that player count for a longer period.
To improve player retention in RSPS, server administrators can implement several strategies. See a few examples down below:
- First Impressions: The first step in player retention is ensuring that players have a positive initial experience when they join the server. This includes providing clear tutorials, guides, and support to help new players navigate the game mechanics and understand the unique features of the server. A smooth onboarding process increases the likelihood of players staying and becoming long-term members of the community.
- Reward Systems & Updates: Introducing new features, quests, items, and events keeps the gameplay fresh and exciting, encouraging players to continue logging in regularly. A system that servers have adapted is a hourly, daily and weekly login system where players are rewarded for consecutive logins during a month to encourage players to login every day. Implementing reward systems, such as loyalty points, achievement badges on forums, or in-game bonuses, also incentivizes players to remain active and loyal to the server for longer periods of time.
- Engagement Events: Hosting special events, such as tournaments, seasonal celebrations, world bosses and community challenges, fosters a sense of belonging and encourages player interaction. It’s a great way to reward players for active gameplay. This is generally planned ahead by establishing forums or Discord servers, which facilitate communication among players and creates a sense of community beyond the game itself.
- Responsive Support: Providing timely support and addressing player concerns or issues promptly demonstrates care for the player base and fosters trust and loyalty.
- Balanced Gameplay: Ensuring game balance and fairness by regularly monitoring and addressing issues such as bugs, exploits, and cheating helps maintain a positive and enjoyable gaming experience for all players. It is also important to actively listen to player feedback to show transparency and allow people to trust in the team. Moreover, it allows server administrators to understand player preferences and make informed decisions to improve the gaming experience.
Conclusion
In conclusion, it is equally as important to retain players as it is to gain new ones. Retention is often an overlooked aspect as developers and staff members focus a lot on marketing and obtaining new players rather than ensuring that players stay for a long ride. Make sure your players feel welcomed and appreciated to maintain and grow your community.
Until next time!
