Challenge:

The primary challenge facing “World In Words” was Rapid Content Development and Deployment. The game’s initial content strategy, which relied on a traditional waterfall development model, resulted in slow updates and a lengthy process for creating and deploying new crossword puzzles and trivia. This model struggled to keep pace with players’ appetite for new content, leading to decreased engagement and player retention over time. The slow response to community feedback and the inability to quickly adapt features based on player data were major concerns that needed addressing to maintain and grow the game’s player base. 

Our Solution:

Xpress Gaming embraced an Agile Development methodology to overcome these challenges. By adopting Agile, the development team was able to work in sprints, allowing for rapid iteration and more frequent content updates. This shift also facilitated closer collaboration between content creators, developers, and the player community, enabling the team to quickly incorporate feedback and make adjustments to the game. Furthermore, the company established a cross-functional team dedicated to creating a pipeline for continuous content delivery. This team focused on streamlining the process of content creation, approval, and deployment, utilizing automated tools for testing and deployment to reduce the turnaround time from content conception to availability in the game. 

Result:

The adoption of Agile Development practices led to a dramatic improvement in the game’s ability to offer fresh and engaging content. The more frequent updates and the ability to rapidly iterate based on player feedback resulted in a significantly more dynamic and engaging experience for players. The player base responded positively to the quicker turnaround of new puzzles and the evident responsiveness to their input, leading to increased daily active users and higher retention rates. The Agile approach not only enhanced the game’s content freshness but also fostered a more vibrant and engaged community, as players felt their feedback directly influenced the game’s evolution. 

Key Takeaways:

Implementing Agile Development practices in game development, particularly for games requiring continuous content updates, can significantly enhance the ability to deliver fresh content rapidly and respond to player feedback, leading to improved player engagement and retention.