Have you ever stopped playing a game you were really interested in? Been stuck on a level and just given up? Not to fear, you are not alone.

 There are a variety of reasons that players may stop playing a game. Below are a few reasons why: 

1. Lack of Content: The game may have lost its appeal over time. For example, if the game becomes repetitive and lacks fresh content. 

2. Poor Game Balance: Unbalanced gameplay or poor mechanics can frustrate players. If certain aspects of the game are overpowered or underpowered it can create dissatisfaction among players.

3. Lack of Progression or Rewards: Players may seek a sense of progression or accomplishment. If a game has unachievable goals or no meaningful rewards, players may lose interest in the game.

4. Toxic Environment: A negative player interaction, such as bullying, harassment, or a hostile environment, can drive players away from a game or even the gaming community as a whole.

5. Technical Issues: Bugs, server issues, long loading times, or poor performance can all disrupt a players’ gaming experience, causing frustration and disengagement.

6. Lack of Support: If developers and publishers are unresponsive to player feedback, fail to address any game issues, or neglect to engage with the community, players may feel disconnected and forgotten which may lead them to disengage from the game.

7. Real-life Commitments: Players’ personal lives, changing interests, or new commitments can also lead to disengagement. Players’ may have less time to invest in gaming or become interested in other activities.

So how do games keep you playing?

One way game developers try to get you back into a game is using Limited Time Events.

Limited time events (LTEs) are temporary, time-bound activities or events introduced within video games or gaming apps. These events are designed to offer players unique challenges, quests, rewards, or experiences for a limited duration, often ranging from a few days to several weeks. They are prevalent across various genres of games and gaming platforms.

These events can take various forms, such as:

1. Special Missions or Quests: Games may introduce specific missions or quests that are only available for a limited time. These missions often have unique storylines, objectives, or challenges that differ from the regular gameplay.

2. Themed Events: Games may host events tied to holidays, seasons, or thematic content releases. For example, Christmas-themed events might include festive challenges, cosmetic items, or special in-game rewards available only during that period.

3. Limited-Time Challenges: Developers may create time-sensitive challenges or competitions where players compete against each other or strive to achieve specific goals within a set timeframe. These challenges often come with exclusive rewards for successful completion.

4. Exclusive Rewards and Items: Limited Time Events frequently offer players access to exclusive in-game items, cosmetics, gear, or bonuses that are unattainable through regular gameplay. These rewards often act as incentives to encourage player participation.

5. Collaborative or Community-Based Events: Some LTEs encourage players to work together towards a common goal, contributing collectively to unlock rewards or reach milestones. This fosters community interaction and teamwork within the game.

But do Limited Time Events really get you back in the game?

It is generally agreed by the gaming community that LTEs are there to entice players to a game by creating a sense of urgency and exclusivity among players.

However, many types of events fall under the umbrella of Limited Time and they each have a unique design and purpose. There are also many debates around what can be considered a LTE.

Does Downloadable Content (DLCs) count as LTEs if they have the same purpose?

Are any in-game events considered LTEs?

Do seasonal events that repeat each year count as limited time?

This is what I would like to discover: What can be defined as a Limited Time Event and are they actually effective at getting you back in the game?

These questions form the core of my research. There are currently no research papers about LTEs, so I aim to discover scientific evidence to my questions.

I will write further blogs on my progress, so watch this space if you are interested to learn more about Limited Time Events.