--- title: "Metacore Core Talks: Perfecting the First-Time User Experience in Mobile Games" description: Discover insights from Metacore's Core Talks event in Berlin, all about mastering first-time user experiences in mobile games, and improving player retention and engagement. image: https://start.playtestcloud.com/hubfs/IMG_1293.jpg --- [Skip to main content](https://start.playtestcloud.com/blog/perfecting-the-first-time-user-experience-in-mobile-games#main-content) [![playtestcloud-simple-logo](https://start.playtestcloud.com/hubfs/playtestcloud-simple-logo.svg) ![ptcblog](https://start.playtestcloud.com/hs-fs/hubfs/ptcblog.png?width=315&height=35&name=ptcblog.png) ](http://www.playtestcloud.com) - Show submenu for See the platform See the platform - [ Capabilities ](https://www.playtestcloud.com/product) - [ AI Analysis ](https://www.playtestcloud.com/ai-powered-analysis) - [ Pricing ](https://www.playtestcloud.com/pricing) - [ PlaytestCloud Home ](http://www.playtestcloud.com) - [ Case Studies ](https://start.playtestcloud.com/case-studies) - [ New features ](https://start.playtestcloud.com/product-updates) - [ Support ](http://help.playtestcloud.com) Open main navigation Close main navigation - Show submenu for See the platform See the platform - See the platform - [ Capabilities ](https://www.playtestcloud.com/product) - [ AI Analysis ](https://www.playtestcloud.com/ai-powered-analysis) - [ Pricing ](https://www.playtestcloud.com/pricing) - [ PlaytestCloud Home ](http://www.playtestcloud.com) - [ Case Studies ](https://start.playtestcloud.com/case-studies) - [ New features ](https://start.playtestcloud.com/product-updates) - [ Support ](http://help.playtestcloud.com) - [Book a Demo](https://start.playtestcloud.com/demo) [Apply to Playtest](https://app.playtestcloud.com/signup) [Book a Demo](https://start.playtestcloud.com/demo) [Apply to Playtest](https://app.playtestcloud.com/signup) # Metacore Core Talks: Perfecting the First-Time User Experience in Mobile Games ![Angie Dlugopolska](https://start.playtestcloud.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Angie.png?width=120&height=120&name=Angie.png) by [Angie Dlugopolska](https://start.playtestcloud.com/blog/author/angie-dlugopolska) March 3, 2025 at 4:54 PM ![Metacore Core Talks: Perfecting the First-Time User Experience in Mobile Games](https://start.playtestcloud.com/hs-fs/hubfs/IMG_1293.jpg?width=1200&height=820&name=IMG_1293.jpg) ## In this article: - [ My key takeaways: ](https://start.playtestcloud.com/blog/perfecting-the-first-time-user-experience-in-mobile-games#my-key-takeaways) - [ The Importance of FTUE: A well-designed onboarding experience is crucial for player retention and engagement. ](https://start.playtestcloud.com/blog/perfecting-the-first-time-user-experience-in-mobile-games#the-importance-of-ftue-a-well-designed-onboarding-experience-is-crucial-for-player-retention-and-engagement) - - [ Retention is just as important ](https://start.playtestcloud.com/blog/perfecting-the-first-time-user-experience-in-mobile-games#retention-is-just-as-important) - [ Final Thoughts ](https://start.playtestcloud.com/blog/perfecting-the-first-time-user-experience-in-mobile-games#final-thoughts) ## In this article: - [ My key takeaways: ](https://start.playtestcloud.com/blog/perfecting-the-first-time-user-experience-in-mobile-games#my-key-takeaways) - [ The Importance of FTUE: A well-designed onboarding experience is crucial for player retention and engagement. ](https://start.playtestcloud.com/blog/perfecting-the-first-time-user-experience-in-mobile-games#the-importance-of-ftue-a-well-designed-onboarding-experience-is-crucial-for-player-retention-and-engagement) - - [ Retention is just as important ](https://start.playtestcloud.com/blog/perfecting-the-first-time-user-experience-in-mobile-games#retention-is-just-as-important) - [ Final Thoughts ](https://start.playtestcloud.com/blog/perfecting-the-first-time-user-experience-in-mobile-games#final-thoughts) Last night, I had the incredible opportunity to attend [Metacore](http://www.metacore.com)’s second [Core Talks](https://metacoregames.com/news/a-great-start-metacores-first-year-in-berlin) event in Berlin and celebrate the first anniversary of their Berlin office. Metacore are big fans of [PlaytestCloud](http://www.playtestcloud.com) and are always generous with the shout-outs, and that fandom goes both ways: their game [Merge Mansion](https://apps.apple.com/us/app/merge-mansion-mystery-story/id1484442152) is one of my favorites! I am sure my [IAP](https://start.playtestcloud.com/blog/why-playtest-your-game-post-launch)s have single-handedly funded more than a few playtests 😂. Is that a circular economy or what?    ![No alt text provided for this image](https://media.licdn.com/dms/image/v2/D4D22AQH7cJhzlTd1Dw/feedshare-shrink_1280/B4DZVCNGlWHkAk-/0/1740572487232?e=1743638400&v=beta&t=i7h44IIlGXZhne7YUypuuIkTG0yWLXowByG1OpviDd4) [me playing Merge Mansion at Metacore]   The theme of the event was Mastering Player Experiences, and Metacore curated such a great lineup of panelists, including:  [Antti Hattara](https://www.linkedin.com/in/anttihattara/) ([Starberry](https://www.linkedin.com/company/starberry/)), [Ben O'Donnell](https://www.linkedin.com/in/ben-o-donnell-03874515/) ([Wooga](https://www.linkedin.com/company/wooga/)), [Ewa Chrusciel](https://www.linkedin.com/in/ewa-chrusciel-69a77387/) ([Trailmix Games](https://www.linkedin.com/company/trailmixltd/)), [Andre Krug](https://www.linkedin.com/in/krugandre/) ([SOFTGAMES](https://www.linkedin.com/company/softgames-mobile-entertainment-services/)), [Maurício Juliano dos Santos](https://www.linkedin.com/in/mauriciojuliano/) ([Kolibri Games](https://www.linkedin.com/company/kolibri-games/)), and [Eric Bolitho](https://www.linkedin.com/in/eric-bolitho-9624a1215/), [Lloyd Craske](https://www.linkedin.com/in/lloyd-craske-b0b9b9180/), [Kimmo Hirvonen](https://www.linkedin.com/in/kimmohirvonen/) and [Teppo Soininen ](https://www.linkedin.com/in/tepposoininen/)from Metacore.    ![IMG_1292](https://start.playtestcloud.com/hs-fs/hubfs/IMG_1292.jpg?width=5712&height=4284&name=IMG_1292.jpg)   These industry experts shared deep insights into creating the perfect first-time user experience ([FTUE](https://start.playtestcloud.com/blog/your-games-first-hour)) for mobile games—particularly in the merge genre.   ## My key takeaways: ### **The Importance of FTUE:** A well-designed onboarding experience is crucial for player retention and engagement. - **The panel shared a few examples of their favorite, most solid FTUE (that wasn't from their *own *game): ** - **Merge Stories:** Well-structured introduction that eases players into the mechanics. - **Crush Solitaire (King):** Minimal hand-holding, allowing smooth and natural progression. - **Disney Solitaire & Royal Match:** Frictionless early progression, rewarding players from the start. - **Royal Kingdom:** Effectively sets up the player fantasy, a great example from the match-3 genre. - **How Much Hand-Holding is Needed?** It depends on the game and its audience. - [Core mechanics](https://start.playtestcloud.com/blog/methods-for-playtesting) should be introduced with clarity. - New gamers may need structured [onboarding](https://start.playtestcloud.com/blog/nitro-games-case-study), but too much guidance can be frustrating. - Provide an **illusion of control**—structured but allowing freedom. ![IMG_1293](https://start.playtestcloud.com/hs-fs/hubfs/IMG_1293.jpg?width=4032&height=3024&name=IMG_1293.jpg) - **Testing is Everything! **This was the coolest experience, nearly every panelist mentioned PlaytestCloud and how much the platform supports their research. They also shared that: - Testing with [real players](https://start.playtestcloud.com/blog/deep-dive-into-games-user-research-with-heather-desurvire-part-two-of-two) helps understand behavior and refine FTUE. - - Early testing and continuous improvement is critical. - [**A/B testing is key**](https://start.playtestcloud.com/blog/a-b-playtesting-with-playtestcloud)—start testing early and iterate frequently. - **Refining FTUE for Long-Term Success:**   - **Merge Mayor:** Revamped its FTUE after four years to make it more engaging without completely overhauling it. - **TrailMix:** Focuses on stripping games to their core fun while refining UX based on real player [feedback](https://start.playtestcloud.com/blog/when-to-use-moderated-and-unmoderated-research). - **Don’t just blame UX if players disengage from the meta**—collaborate, analyze, and go deeper. ### ![IMG_1295](https://start.playtestcloud.com/hs-fs/hubfs/IMG_1295.jpg?width=5712&height=4284&name=IMG_1295.jpg) ### Retention is just as important    The second panel focused on retaining users past the FTUE, and at this point in the evening I stopped my diligent note-taking but really enjoyed hearing how each of the speakers considers qualitative data *as **important *as quantitive app analytics to add context to player behaviors. We've covered [retention](https://www.playtestcloud.com/post-launch-playtesting) testing previously, which you can read about [here](https://start.playtestcloud.com/blog/stop-losing-players-the-post-release-strategy-every-game-studio-needs).    ### Final Thoughts In the merge game space, onboarding can make or break player engagement. The key to success? **Observe real players, identify pain points, refine based on feedback, and test early and often. ** This event reinforced my excitement about game design and the power of listening to players. If you’re building a mobile game, take this advice to heart—**test, iterate, and always keep the player experience at the center!**   Massive thanks to Metacore and the event organizers who made this a fun, warm and informative evening. If you have the chance to attend a Core Talk in Berlin or Helsinki, I highly recommend it! Tags: [FTUE, ](https://start.playtestcloud.com/blog/tag/ftue) [Retention](https://start.playtestcloud.com/blog/tag/retention) ![Angie Dlugopolska](https://start.playtestcloud.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Angie.png?width=120&height=120&name=Angie.png) **[Angie Dlugopolska](https://start.playtestcloud.com/blog/author/angie-dlugopolska)** March 3, 2025 at 4:54 PM Head of Customer Success at PlaytestCloud [Follow me on my website](http://www.playtestcloud.com) [Follow me on LinkedIn ](https://www.linkedin.com/in/adlugopolska/) ### Keep exploring: [![Steam Playtest vs Playtesting Steam Games at PlaytestCloud](https://start.playtestcloud.com/hs-fs/hubfs/axville-WcrqKjgMPfI-unsplash-1.jpg?width=500&height=500&name=axville-WcrqKjgMPfI-unsplash-1.jpg) Steam Playtest vs Playtesting Steam Games at PlaytestCloud PlaytestCloud Team • January 27, 2025 at 12:20 PM ](https://start.playtestcloud.com/blog/steam-playtest-vs-playtesting-steam-games-at-playtestcloud) [![Your Game’s First Hour: How Honing in the First-Time Experience is Pivotal to Your Game's Success](https://start.playtestcloud.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/669b8fa12bcb988e7fc480b8_Your-Game-s-First-Hour.png?width=500&height=500&name=669b8fa12bcb988e7fc480b8_Your-Game-s-First-Hour.png) Your Game’s First Hour: How Honing in the First-Time Experience is Pivotal to Your Game's Success Chris Hugelmann • June 17, 2020 at 6:00 AM ](https://start.playtestcloud.com/blog/your-games-first-hour) [![PlaytestCloud-lockup-allwhite](https://start.playtestcloud.com/hubfs/PlaytestCloud-lockup-allwhite.svg) ](http://www.playtestcloud.com) - [Product](https://www.playtestcloud.com/product) - [Pricing](https://www.playtestcloud.com/pricing) - [About](https://www.playtestcloud.com/about) - [Security](https://www.playtestcloud.com/security) - [Apply to Playtest](https://app.playtestcloud.com/signup) ©2026 PlaytestCloud GmbH. 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