Uploaded June 2025 | Updated September 2026, 3 weeks ago
Game devs out here building systems like they’re designing slot machines—daily grinds, weekly chores, login streaks—like your game’s a second job.
Meanwhile, players scream for only unique content.
No dailies.
No repeats.
No procedurally generated filler.
Just handcrafted, one-time experiences… forever.
Cool idea. Impossible workload.
You know who actually got it?
Yoshi-P from FFXIV.
He didn’t try to trap players in a forever loop.
He straight up said:
"Rather, it'll just pile up unnecessary stress if you limit yourself into playing just that one game since there are so many other games out there. So, do come back and play it to your heart's content when the major patch kicks in, then stop it to play other games before you got burnt out, and then come back for another major patch."
That’s how you build trust.
He knew they couldn't pump out infinite content, so he said the quiet part out loud—and players respected it.
More devs should take notes:
Retention isn’t about addiction—it’s about respect.
Game devs out here building systems like they’re designing slot machines—daily grinds, weekly chores, login streaks—like your game’s a second job.
Meanwhile, players scream for only unique content.
No dailies.
No repeats.
No procedurally generated filler.
Just handcrafted, one-time experiences… forever.
Cool idea. Impossible workload.
You know who actually got it?
Yoshi-P from FFXIV.
He didn’t try to trap players in a forever loop.
He straight up said:
"Rather, it'll just pile up unnecessary stress if you limit yourself into playing just that one game since there are so many other games out there. So, do come back and play it to your heart's content when the major patch kicks in, then stop it to play other games before you got burnt out, and then come back for another major patch."
That’s how you build trust.
He knew they couldn't pump out infinite content, so he said the quiet part out loud—and players respected it.
More devs should take notes:
Retention isn’t about addiction—it’s about respect.
