search-btnsearch-btn
cross-filter
Search by keywords
No results found.
Please try different keywords.
Thank you! Your submission has been received!
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.
Index

Your Custom eSports Platform Awaits 🚀

View more
Share this blog
Esports

How to Implement Reward Drops on Your eSports Platform

How to Implement Reward Drops on Your eSports Platform
Esports

How to Implement Reward Drops on Your eSports Platform

by
Author-image
Abubakar Shams
CEO of Phaedra Solutions | Tech Guru

Keeping players engaged on your eSports platform isn’t simple. But one strategy that has proven to be successful is reward drops

These game rewards are more than just bonuses – they are a way to keep players coming back for more. Reward drops give players the chance to earn cool in-game items simply by watching streams or participating in events. 

The excitement of earning something extra can do wonders for boosting game engagement and audience retention. So, how do you use this to your advantage? 

Let’s dive into the world of reward drops and see how implementing them can help your eSports platform thrive.

Understanding Reward Drops in eSports

Reward drops are special in-game items or bonuses that players can unlock by participating in certain activities, like watching live eSports streams. 

These rewards often come in the form of skins, cosmetics, or other exclusive items that enhance a player’s experience. Players get excited about these drops because they offer value without the need to spend real money.

What are reward drops in esports
Fortnite's Battle Pass is a widely successful model where players earn in-game rewards by progressing through different tiers, encouraging them to keep playing regularly.

In eSports, reward drops typically happen during official events or tournaments (like the eSports World Cup 2024). Players just need to tune into live streams that are "drop-enabled," and they’ll have the chance to earn rewards. These drops help promote game content and increase viewer numbers, while also keeping players engaged.

Drops are an effective tool for successful game retention strategies. By offering players a reason to watch, participate, and return, they help boost game engagement and keep your audience invested in your platform. This creates a cycle of interaction, which can greatly reduce player churn.

The Different Types of eSports Reward Drops

Let’s go through the different types of eSports reward drops: 

Types of esports reward drops
  • Cosmetic Drops -  Skins, avatars, or other visual customizations that enhance a player’s character or in-game items.
  • In-Game Currency -  Virtual money or tokens that players can use to purchase items, unlock features, or progress faster.
  • Boosts and Power-Ups - Temporary enhancements that give players a competitive edge, like faster leveling or stronger abilities.
  • Exclusive Content Drops -  Limited-time items that are only available during special events or streams.
  • Loot Boxes -  Randomized packages containing a variety of in-game items, adding an element of surprise and excitement e.g. LoL eSports rewards.
  • Event Tickets - Access to in-game or live eSports events, giving players exclusive participation perks.

5 Strategies for Implementing Reward Drops in eSports

Implementing drops in eSports platforms can be a literal game changer in terms of player engagement and retention. Let’s look at 5 strategies you can use to implement reward drops in eSports platforms.

1. Tie Reward Drops to Live Streaming Events

One of the most effective ways to implement reward drops is by linking them directly to live eSports streaming events. Viewers who tune into drop-enabled streams during tournaments or special events can earn game rewards just by watching. 

This creates a win-win situation for both the platform and the players. The platform gets increased viewership, while players earn exclusive in-game items.

For example, platforms like Twitch often host streams where viewers can get drops by watching for a certain period of time. This not only enhances game engagement but also keeps players glued to the screen during important events, increasing online gaming customer retention.

To make the most of this strategy, promote your drop-enabled streams well in advance, highlighting the specific rewards that players can earn. The more enticing the rewards, the more likely players are to stay engaged for the entire stream.

2. Offer Time-Limited Rewards to Create Urgency

Time-limited drops are a great way to create a sense of urgency and drive immediate engagement. By offering exclusive game rewards that are only available for a short time, you encourage players to log in and participate before the opportunity disappears.

Time-limited esports rewards

Whether it’s a rare skin, a special power-up, or a limited-edition avatar, these rewards can spark excitement and motivate players to take action quickly. This strategy works especially well for mobile game retention, where players might only need a little push to stay active in the game.

Studies show that offering time-sensitive rewards such as new characters or weapons can increase user retention by as much as 40% during in-game events

Keep your time-limited rewards fresh by rotating the types of rewards you offer and associating them with different in-game activities or milestones. The goal is to keep the excitement high and prevent player churn by giving them something new to strive for.

3. Reward Consistent Engagement with Milestone Drops

Reward drops can also be tied to player milestones within your eSports platform. For instance, players who hit specific achievements, like logging in for a set number of consecutive days or reaching certain in-game objectives, can be rewarded with exclusive items. 

This gives an extra incentive for players to participate and stay engaged over the long term.

Milestone drops esports

Milestone-based drops are an excellent way to boost game retention. They create a feedback loop that rewards consistent engagement, encouraging players to keep coming back day after day. Over time, these small rewards build up, giving players a sense of accomplishment and deeper connection to the game.

Consider adding tiered rewards that get better as players achieve higher milestones. This creates a pathway for players to follow, helping you implement more structured game retention strategies.

4. Personalize Rewards to Increase Player Loyalty

Personalized rewards go beyond generic items – they target what individual players care about most. With the use of data-driven insights, you can offer players rewards tailored to their specific preferences, like skins for their favorite characters or bonuses for the game modes they play most often.

Personalized esports rewards

This level of customization not only boosts player retention but also builds loyalty. Players are more likely to stick around if they feel that the rewards they’re earning are directly related to their personal gameplay style and preferences.

Offering personalized drops shows that you understand your players’ needs, and it enhances game engagement by making every reward feel relevant. Use in-game data to track player behavior and craft rewards that will resonate the most with your audience.

5. Use Custom Software to Automate and Personalize Reward Drops

Another powerful strategy is to get custom eSports software developed to automate and personalize the reward drop process. Custom software can help you streamline the entire reward system, from tracking player participation to automatically distributing rewards during live events. This saves time and ensures that players receive their rewards promptly.

By utilizing custom software, you can also personalize the rewards based on player behavior and preferences. For example, you can offer tailored game rewards to players who frequently engage with certain game modes or characters. This not only boosts game retention but also creates a more meaningful connection between the player and the game.

Investing in a personalized, automated system can enhance the overall player experience and keep them coming back for more.

Why is there a Need for Reward Drops?

Reward drops have become an essential tool for keeping players engaged in the fast-paced world of eSports. With increasing competition and countless options for players, maintaining player retention is critical for platform success.

Need for reward drops esports

According to a study by Statista, the global eSports audience surpassed 532 million in 2023, showing just how competitive the space has become. These rewards, whether cosmetic items, in-game boosts, or exclusive content, provide immediate value and make players feel rewarded for their time and involvement.

Additionally, research shows that retention rates for mobile games drop significantly, with only 38% of users continuing to play after just one day. 

Reward a proven game retention strategy that fosters long-term engagement. Platforms that incorporate drops into their retention strategies see a noticeable improvement in online gaming customer retention, creating a loyal and active player base.

Combining Reward Drops with Other Engagement Tactics

While drops are a powerful tool on their own, combining them with other engagement tactics can significantly enhance player retention and boost game engagement. 

Let’s look at a few ways you can combine drops with other engagement tactics.

  • Daily Login Bonuses - Encourage players to log in regularly by offering daily rewards alongside drops.
  • In-Game Challenges - Combine drops with specific in-game challenges or achievements to motivate players.
  • Timed Events - Offer limited-time drops during special events to increase player participation and urgency.
  • Personalized Player Rewards - Use player data to offer personalized drops based on gameplay behavior.
  • Social Sharing Incentives - Encourage players with notifications to share their achievements and drops on social media for added engagement.
  • Collaborative Team Rewards - Reward players for team-based activities, creating a sense of community while boosting engagement.

Custom eSports Software for Seamless Reward Integration

To fully capitalize on the potential of reward drops, consider investing in custom eSports software development

Custom-built software allows you to automate the entire reward process – from distributing rewards during live events to tracking player participation – all with precision and efficiency. This ensures players get their rewards in real-time, keeping engagement levels high.

Imagine real-time, personalized drops based on player actions during live streams, or reward campaigns that adapt to individual player preferences. This not only boosts game retention but also keeps the experience fresh and engaging for your users.

By choosing Phaedra Solutions as your custom software partner, you’ll gain:

  • A Team of 50+ Developers and Designers - Experts in creating tailored software that integrates seamlessly with your platform.

  • Expertise in eSports - Extensive experience building custom software solutions for the eSports industry.

  • Real-Time Data Tracking -  Sophisticated analytics to monitor player behavior and optimize reward strategies for maximum retention.

  • Scalable Solutions - Custom software that grows with your platform, ensuring long-term engagement and player satisfaction.

  • Personalized Reward Systems - Tailored experiences that increase player loyalty and keep them coming back.
Read More: Esports Event Management: Why Custom Software is the Best Choice

Final Verdict 

So, are the rewards of playing eSports worth the risks? 100%! Especially when there's barely any risk factor anyway.

Reward drops are and will remain a powerful tool for retaining and engaging players on any eSports platform. By integrating drops into live streams and events, you can drive player participation, spark excitement, and build lasting engagement. 

Pairing drops with strategies like daily login bonuses and personalized rewards can further elevate player retention. At Phaedra Solutions, we specialize in custom eSports software tailored to implement these strategies effectively. 

Our expert team is ready to help you build a platform that maximizes the impact of drops and other engagement features, ensuring players keep coming back.

In the fast-paced world of eSports, drops are essential for maintaining player interest. Let’s get started today - reach out to learn how we can bring your vision to life!

FAQs

What are Reward Drops in eSports Platforms?
Why are Reward Drops Important for Player Retention?
What Types of Rewards can I offer Through Drops?
What are the Best Strategies for Implementing Reward Drops?
How do Reward Drops Enhance Player Engagement in Live eSports Events?
What Rewards Do You Get From Watching LoL eSports?

READ THE FULL STORY

FURTHER READING

Read all about the Progress and our research
View All Blogs