ROI (Return on Investment) tells you one thing: Was it worth it?
In game development, ROI measures how much value or revenue you gained compared to what you spent — on a feature, update, UA campaign, LiveOps event, or even a full game.
1️⃣ Definition
Metric | Formula |
ROI | (Gain – Cost) ÷ Cost |
📍Example: Spend $50,000 on a feature → it generates $100,000.
ROI = (100,000 – 50,000) ÷ 50,000 = 1.0 → 100%
2️⃣ Why ROI Matters
Use Case | What It Reveals | Design Insight |
Feature prioritization | Is this worth building? | Will it improve retention, monetization, or engagement? |
LiveOps events | Did it earn more than it cost to produce? | Were the rewards + systems well tuned? |
UA campaigns | LTV > CPI = positive ROI | Is the acquisition loop sustainable? |
Content roadmap | What to keep, cut, or scale? | What delivers value over time? |
📍Every system has a cost. ROI shows if that cost delivered value — to both player and business.
3️⃣ Use Cases in Games
Context | ROI Application |
New feature | PvP mode vs. Crafting — which drives retention/IAP? |
Monetization design | Did the $4.99 bundle pay for the art, QA, and marketing it took to make it? |
Art production | Are premium skins profitable vs. their modeling cost? |
Tutorial overhaul | Did better FTUE increase D1 retention and conversion? |
Platform port | Was releasing on Switch worth it after fees and rework? |
📍Good ROI isn’t just earning money — it’s spending time and effort well.
4️⃣ ROI in Design Thinking
Decision | ROI Lens |
Add new progression system? | Will it extend D30 retention or LTV? |
Delay a feature? | Will its value compound if released with other systems? |
Launch LiveOps event? | Will revenue + engagement exceed production cost? |
Invest in narrative? | Will this deepen emotional connection or replayability? |
📍Creative systems have ROI too — but the return isn’t always cash. Sometimes it’s loyalty, community, or virality.
5️⃣ Pitfalls and Misuse
Mistake | Risk |
Short-term focus | Burns trust, damages long-term retention |
Ignoring soft value | Player goodwill, brand, sentiment left out |
Attribution errors | ROI from one feature may be inflated by others |
Over-prioritizing ROI | Leads to safe, generic design choices |
📍ROI is a lens, not a law. Use it to guide, not to censor.
✅ ROI Checklist
📍ROI protects resources — but only great design multiplies them.
Summary
Term | ROI – Return on Investment |
What it tracks | Efficiency of turning effort/cost into value |
Why it matters | Prioritizes features, campaigns, and content |
Used for | UA, LiveOps, content, features, platform decisions |
Paired with | LTV, CPI, Retention, Conversion, Feedback |
📍ROI is the compass of production — not the cage of creativity. Designers use it not just to save money — but to amplify what’s truly worth building.