Case Studies

This page features analyses of existing games, focusing on core gameplay, system structure, and player experience. Each case study examines the design goals, underlying logic, and relationships between systems to understand how they work together to shape the overall experience.

mo.co

LiveOp Design Analysis

Developer: Supercell

Platform: Mobile

This case study examines how mo.co connects its combat loop, progression systems, recurring content, and cosmetic rewards to support long-term player engagement. The analysis focuses on how individual play sessions contribute to larger goals, how the game motivates players to return, and how its LiveOps structure supports both retention and monetization without replacing the core combat experience.

* Analysis based on S2 & S3 of the revamped game.

Core Loop & Meta Progression

Definition:

Portal: These are essentially different maps and game modes that are available for a time limit. Each activity has it's own set of objectives, completing these objectives will reward the players Chaos Energy, Upgrade Cores, or Elite Merits.
Chaos Energy: The primary progression output. It's experience points to increase Season and Career progression, and advances Weapon Sprints.
Elite Merits: Experience points to advance the Elite Hunter Path, associates with each season and the Leader Board.
Season Level: Temporary seasonal progress.
Career Level: Cumulative long-term progress.
Weapon Sprints: Seasonal progress tracks where you select and unlock specific gear by collecting Chaos Energy. Complete them to earn new weapons, cosmetics, and upgrade items.
Upgrade Cores: A reward type, to improve weapons and boost combat effectiveness.
HQ: The main hub.

mo.co connects its combat and meta-progression through Chaos Energy. Expeditions and Rifts provide repeatable combat objectives, while the resources earned from these activities advance seasonal and long-term progression. Weapon Sprints convert this progress into new weapons and rewards, returning players to the core loop with additional playstyles to explore. Weapon Mastery adds a second layer of progression by rewarding continued expertise with individual weapons.

Breath & Depth

Weapon Sprints encourage breadth by unlocking new playstyles.
Weapon Mastery encourages depth through weapon-specific challenges and status rewards.

Seasonal & Persistent Goals

Season Levels provide renewable short-term targets.
Career Levels preserve a cumulative record of the player’s progression across seasons.

* Portal screen showing different maps and playstyle

* Jobs listed before entering the map

* Weapon sprint showing rewards for leveling up

From Player Motivation to Long-Term Engagement

mo.co supports long-term engagement through three connected motivations: progression, collection, and mastery. Weapon variety and Weapon Mastery encourage players to explore different playstyles and deepen their skill with preferred weapons. Daily, seasonal, and career progression provide goals across multiple time scales, while cosmetic rewards turn continued participation into opportunities for collection and identity expression.Monetization is primarily connected to cosmetics, gestures, rides, and other expressive content rather than direct combat strength. Progression and mastery therefore support monetization indirectly by building attachment to weapons, characters, and the player’s long-term identity within the game.

Mastery & Build Experimentation

Player Motivation

Players are encouraged to:

Learn different weapon playstyles.
Improve their combat execution.
Complete weapon-specific mastery goals.
Demonstrate competence with preferred weapons.

Retention
- Breadth: Unlocking weapons encourages players to try different combat roles and playstyles.
- Depth: Weapon Mastery gives players reasons to keep using weapons after they have already been unlocked.

Monetization Connection

This motivation doesn't convert directly into payment, but it increases:

Attachment to specific weapons
Time invested in a playstyle
Interest in weapon-related cosmetic rewards
Desire to display mastery or identity

* Weapon mastery with rewards

*Daily goal and streak with extra reward

* Shop with time limited items

2. Progression and Goal Completion

Player Motivation

The game utilizes different progression systems (Season Level, Career Level, Weapon Sprints, Daily Goals and Streaks) with layers of rewards to strengthen the psychological appeal:

Seeing progress accumulate
Approaching a visible reward
Completing a selected progression path
Maintain momentum
Receiving both short term and long term acknowledgement

Retention

Temporary progression creates renewed goals, while persistent progression prevents each seasonal reset from feeling entirely disposable.

Monetization Connection

Progression creates attachment and repeated exposure, while the Shop monetizes the identity and collection value built through that engagement.

3. Collection and Self-Expression

Player Motivation

Cosmetics are supporting:

Character identity
Completion goals
Rarity and exclusivity
Seasonal participation
Social display
Attachment to the game’s aesthetic

Retention

Cosmetics support return behavior by attaching to:

Limited events
Progression tracks
Mastery achievements
Rotating or seasonal availability
Incomplete collections
FOMO

Monetization
- The Shop lets players spend mo.gold or Merch Credits on cosmetics, gestures, rides, and other expressive rewards. This creates a mixed acquisition model:
  - Some cosmetic value is earned through play
  - Some is obtained through events or progression
  - Some is acquired through the Shop
- Earned cosmetics establish the value of customization, while paid cosmetics expand the player’s ability to express identity and complete preferred looks.