LiveOps math: events that print retention

A seasonal event is a retention bet, not a content drop. If it doesn't give a player a reason to come back on day three of the event, it's decoration, not LiveOps.

Plan the return curve first

We build every event around a return curve target before a single asset is made — day-1, day-3 and day-7 goals that the reward schedule is reverse-engineered from.

Bigger isn't better

The events that outperform aren't the biggest ones. They're the ones with the tightest core loop repeated across the shortest possible session.

Our recommendation

Ship a small event with a clean return curve before you commission the big seasonal set-piece. Prove the loop works, then scale the art budget around it.