THE IMPACT OF ACHIEVEMENT SYSTEMS ON PLAYER ENGAGEMENT AND RETENTION ON THE STEAM PLATFORM: A QUANTITATIVE ANALYSIS

Abstract

This article investigates the correlation between the implementation of achievement systems in video games and player engagement on the Steam platform. Using a dataset containing information from over 86,000 games, a comparative quantitative analysis was conducted, focusing on engagement metrics such as the number of concurrent users and the median total playtime. The methodology segments the analysis between games with and without achievements, analyzing the pace of the game as a basic objective of engagement and retention. The results consistently demonstrate that games with achievement systems show significantly higher engagement and retention details, without significant costs for developers. The discussion explores how achievements function as a positive feedback loop in game design, extending replay value and player retention and aligning with the visibility mechanisms of the Steam ecosystem, which is a full scale computer game selling platform. It concludes that the presence of achievements positively influences player engagement, representing a valuable strategic tool for developers.