The retention chain
Four systems carry curiosity into commitment.
- Hook: immediate, readable action lowers the cost of understanding.
- Home: construction and spatial change make progress visible.
- Alliance: shared goals turn an individual schedule into coordinated participation.
- Community: guides, events, and Discord keep identity active between sessions.
What I would measure
Separate confusion, friction, and lack of value.
- Activation: where does the player understand the handoff from the opening action to base strategy?
- Progression: which visible upgrade creates the first intentional return?
- Alliance: how quickly do players join, contribute, receive help, and come back?
- Community: which in-game moments create a reason to seek coordination or status outside the app?
Transfer to my work
Use sharper constraints, not imitation.
- Keep the opening promise and the long-term loop part of one motivation.
- End each session with a visible change and a credible next goal.
- Make alliance contribution meaningful without punishing absence.
- Instrument the handoffs where attention becomes understanding, commitment, and social identity.