How can i improve rewards and progression to keep players engaged?

[MadisonET]

I’ve been trying to implement a proper **gameplay loop** for my prototype, but my playtesters keep dropping off after about ten minutes. I thought the core combat was solid, but it feels like the rewards and progression between sessions aren’t hooking them.

[Grace_P]

Ten minutes in is where the tester brain switches from this is fun to what's the payoff. I saw a lot of drop after the first few encounters even though combat felt tight.

[Eric.M]

I added a tiny progression hook after each run and a currency earned unlock that carries to the next session. It nudged retention a bit but not enough to change the pattern long term.

[JerryEW]

Is it possible the real issue isn't the rewards at all but the gap between sessions? Maybe they forget what mattered last time.

[Paul_T]

I tweaked lighting and the kill sound after a big hit. The payoff felt a bit nicer, but the nine or ten minute window still did me in.

[ZoeyMW]

One tester said the first boss drop didn’t feel meaningful like it didn’t reset the tension or signal progress.

[GraceHT]

I am not sure we captured the actual problem maybe pacing or how goals are framed or maybe the audience wants a different loop.