3 Things to Know About Session-Length Restriction When Designing a Free2Play Game

Session-length restriction has become a defining feature of free-to-play mobile games, and designers should adopt it thoughtfully rather than reject it on principle. This February 2015 GameRefinery analysis by its VP of Games argues that although the mechanic remains unpopular with veteran PC and console players, it is now a near-standard element of commercially successful mobile titles, and that the key challenge is implementing it well.

The first finding is that restriction is effectively a prerequisite for top-tier performance. Data from the company's database shows that very few games in the US iOS Top Grossing 100 lack some form of session-length restriction, which makes it a differentiator between highly successful and less successful titles. Casual and mid-core audiences tend to tolerate it because mobile play typically occurs in short sessions of roughly 5-15 minutes, and energy-style limits can also prevent content from being consumed too quickly.

The second finding is that the method should match the game's structure. Energy systems, which deplete with each action, suit games with continuous progression such as RPGs, collectible card games, and match-3 titles with character development (Marvel Contest of Champions is an example). Lives, which are lost only on failure, fit luck-driven, level-based casual puzzlers without player progression, as in Candy Crush Soda Saga. Wait-to-finish timers, usually growing exponentially, suit strategy and tapping games where randomness is minimal, as in Clash of Clans, and they give paying players a predictable progression outcome in return for spending.

Finally, overuse is a serious risk. Constant paywalls undermine the free-to-play promise, alienate users, and cost revenue. The suggested rule of thumb is that an average player should get at least a 10-minute session without spending money or premium currency. Database evidence indicates that games permitting sessions longer than 10 minutes tend to rank better in top grossing lists. Well-balanced restriction can substantially boost commercial potential, but excessive restriction can ruin a game's prospects.