Any regular casino player will say that one of their favorite aspects of playing their favorite games is the excitement of receiving rewards. Of course, winning jackpots will always be the top attraction for players but fun rewards systems keep games exciting.
When game designers are looking for ways to keep players coming back for more, reward systems play a key part in the platform and game design. Rewards heighten excitement, trigger dopamine spikes and give players greater motivation to keep playing.
Games like slots can become repetitive but adding side missions with the option to win rewards or dropping variable rewards give players added incentives and distractions that maintain interest.
These are some of the top reward schedules from casino design that can improve any game:
Variable Rewards
Sometimes the excitement of receiving a gift on your birthday or the holidays is all about anticipating what is in the wrapping paper or box. You might spend time wondering what it could be and hoping that it is something you have been wanting for a long time.
Variable rewards are very similar, you don’t always know what to expect and this heightens the excitement even more. You picture in your mind that you are going to receive the best reward available. Even though the big rewards are rare, the anticipation of winning them drives players on to keep playing and increases dopamine levels when you get close to landing your targeted reward.
Players don’t know how big the next reward will be so the anticipation carries on building, providing a more engaging element to any type of game.
Loyalty Rewards/VIP Schemes
Another schedule of rewards that adds more excitement when playing casino games is the possibility of gaining loyalty rewards or accumulating enough points to qualify for a VIP scheme.
Loyalty rewards can range from earning points per spin or bet, that count towards bonus credits, free spins and cashback to expensive gifts and access to exclusive tournaments.
Being welcomed into a VIP scheme is a huge motivation for many players who love to be part of an exclusive club. Getting access to enter tournaments that non-VIPs are not allowed to enter also adds to the glamor of being a VIP.
Some other perks of being in a VIP scheme can include having a dedicated manager who will handle any queries you have and who can sometimes offer bonuses that are personalized to your interests. The promise of VIP treatment can turn playing any type of casino game into a very worthwhile pursuit. You can play a range of slots here that will help you to work towards loyalty rewards and give you access to lots of other great bonuses like deposit matches and free spins.
Gamification Rewards
Gamification has been a welcome introduction to casino platforms and games designs. Based around the popular gamification features in video games that have worked so well and stood the test of time, gamification in online casinos adds an extra dimension for players to explore.
Types of gamification include level progression, missions or quests, leaderboards and tournaments and story progression. It is often described as creating a game within a game, increasing interactivity and engagement by giving players something extra to aim for outside of the slot game that they are playing.
Progress bars linked to reward tiers motivate players to keep playing their game to get higher up the bar, while side missions with rewards allow players to experience a different type of gameplay to try and complete challenges.
Gamification is not just about financial rewards, often it is more based around emotional rewards. Success in gamification features can give players a sense of accomplishment, in addition to any betting successes that they achieve.
Leadership boards are another type of gamification that revolves around striving to be competitive and gaining social recognition. Casinos often set up leadership boards for slot games and provide each player with a ranking and those with a competitive nature are driven to perform better than their competitors.
Why Reward Schedules Are So Effective
If casino games did not have reward schedules, players would be more inclined to stop playing or to explore other casinos to find out what different experiences they offer. Good rewards systems nurture loyalty from players who are focused on reaching the next reward level or who are working their way up a leadership table.
Players feel like their efforts are being recognized by the casino operators and as many rewards, such as free spins, encourage you to continue playing for longer, the casino keeps players coming back for more.
