Beyond Predatory Practices Ethical Game Design and Player Retention in the Gaming Industry

Today the video game market is ever growing and expanding. As such player retention and engagement have emerged as pivotal challenges for game developers and stakeholders. The booming gaming industry constantly seeks innovative ways to captivate players and sustain their interest over time. However, this pursuit often led to the proliferation of predatory practices, exploiting players’ psychology and financial vulnerabilities. This paper explores ethical player retention strategies in the gaming industry, addressing the pervasive issue of predatory practices regarding monetization. The results emphasizes the importance of holistic approaches — prioritizing autonomy, achievement, social connections, and fair monetization practices to foster an enduring player commitment.