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Create More Collaborations: Strobetano’s GameDev Summit Story
When GameDev Summit (GDS) was founded by GameOps, its mission was clear — to create meaningful connections and collaborations across borders, empowering developers from emerging regions to find their voice on the global stage. Today, that mission continues to shine through stories like Strobetano, an indie studio founded by Roberto Bendinelli, an Italian-Filipino developer based…
GDS2025 Was One for the Books — Here’s What You Missed
The second edition of the GameDev Summit (GDS) concluded last February 5–7, 2025, marking its most impactful year yet. Held at The Lind Boracay and Sea Wind Resort, this international B2B gathering brought together developers, publishers, service providers, investors, educators, and government representatives from around the globe in a setting designed to foster meaningful dialogue…
What Happened During GDS2024?
Between the sun and the sand, what transpired during the two days at the GameDev Summit? The GameDev Summit was able to pack 2 days worth of talks, workshops, networking and more. XDS Main Stage Talks and Panels Our collaboration with the XDS Main Stage for the ExDev Track resulted in an excellently balanced program…
Speakers and Talk Summary
Both tracks of the GameDev Summit invited international speakers who represented the innovative future of the game development industry. Here’s a look at what transpired over the two jam-packed days of each GDS Track! ExDev Track The GDS: ExDev Track featured the XDS Main Stage, a program designed by the organizers of the prestigious External…
The Story of GDS
The Philippines has long had all the ingredients for an international summit that celebrates the best of the video game industry. The country has an established community of professionals and studios working with international developers on some of the biggest and most influential games, a government and industry determined to advance, and some of the…

What makes a game truly engaging? It’s not just the graphics, story, or even the mechanics—though all of those matter. The secret sauce behind most successful games lies in their core gameplay loop. Whether you’re developing a high-octane shooter or a cozy farming sim, mastering your gameplay loop is essential.

What Is a Gameplay Loop?

A gameplay loop is the set of actions that players repeat over and over. These loops can be short (like aiming and shooting) or long-term (like building a base, gathering resources, and upgrading gear). The loop is what keeps the player coming back—it’s the rhythm of your game.

Example: Stardew Valley

In Stardew Valley, the core loop involves farming, earning money, upgrading tools, and unlocking new content. The loop is satisfying because each action contributes to progress and a sense of reward. It’s simple, but layered with depth and variety as the game unfolds.

Why It Matters

A strong gameplay loop can mean the difference between a game that players quit after 10 minutes and one they sink hundreds of hours into. It feeds the reward system in our brains. When done right, players don’t just play your game—they live in it.

Designing Your Loop

Here’s a simple framework for designing an effective gameplay loop:

  1. Action – What does the player do? (e.g., mine resources)
  2. Reward – What do they get from it? (e.g., gold, materials)
  3. Progression – How does that move them forward? (e.g., upgrades, access to new areas)
  4. Repeatability – Is it fun to do repeatedly?

Test this loop early and often during development. Small tweaks can drastically improve the flow and fun.