Live operations (Live Ops) are very popular in the modern gaming industry. This method helps maintain and improve games after release; it involves constant interaction with players by adding new content, fixing bugs, holding events, and much more. Thanks to Live Ops, games get new features and improvements and thus remain relevant, interesting, and engaging for a long time.
Practice shows that Live Ops significantly influences a game’s success. This is due to effective support and improved gaming experience for players. The live operations team monitors and analyzes game data, changes game content, performs updates, and continuously adds new features. Experts also communicate with the player community, considering all wishes when developing further updates.
Leading 10 Live Operations Techniques
In video games, there are many methods and approaches to improving a game after its release, known as live operations techniques. These help developers manage and support games throughout their life cycles. Each method has its own specifics and is used in specific cases (improving and optimizing gameplay, increasing player engagement and audience retention, etc.).
Let’s take a look at the 10 best post-release game management techniques commonly used today.
Data Analytics
Knowing how players interact with the gameplay is crucial for effectively managing a game after its release. Data analytics collects information about player behavior, preferences, and needs, enabling the development team to make informed decisions about improving the gameplay experience and fixing current problems.
Communication with Players
Successful game management requires active interaction with players. This may include creating feedback forums, providing notifications about future updates, answering questions, solving problems through support and making changes to the game based on player requests.
Testing and Debugging
Testing and debugging help maintain high-quality gameplay by promptly identifying and fixing bugs and glitches.
Updates
Regular updates/improvements are an integral part of post-release game management, helping to maintain player interest and resolve issues that arise after the game is launched.
Monetization
Many games have monetization mechanisms, such as in-game purchases or subscriptions.
Post-launch monetization management includes monitoring the game’s economy, analyzing monetization metrics, and developing new options.
Player Community
Successful game management also requires creating an active community of players. Therefore, live operations teams create forums, chats, social media groups, and other platforms to ensure smooth communication between players and developers, organize competitions and events for community members, and regularly share useful information with players.
Marketing and Promotion
The role of an effective marketing strategy is equally important. Live Ops involves high-quality advertising campaigns, collaboration with influencers, participation in-game events, etc.
Feedbacks
Feedback management involves:
- Tracking and analyzing player feedbacks.
- Responding to controversial issues.
- Taking action to correct negative experiences.
- Encouraging positive feedback.
Monitoring and Fraud Protection
An essential part of post-release game management is monitoring and protecting against fraudulent activity such as cheats, bots, and other game hacks.
Live Ops services constantly monitor player activity, anti-cheats, a system for detecting and blocking fraudulent accounts, and other security measures.
Long-Term Development Strategy
Long-term strategy is integral to live game operations and includes plans for game development, updates, content, and monetization over the long term. This keeps players interested and ensures the game continues to progress.
Conclusion
Therefore, Live Ops is the path to sustainable success in the video game market. Today, it is vital to consider audience interests and needs, constantly update and supplement game content, and maintain active interaction with players.
