Glossary term Monetization
Metagame
Any game layer that exists outside the core loop, collection systems, social standing, progression tracks, that gives players long-term goals beyond the session-by-session experience. Well-designed metagames extend engagement across months rather than days.
Where you see this in practice
The mechanics that lean on it
Monetization11
Season Pass / Battle Pass
A time-limited reward track with free and premium tiers, where completing in-app actions advances the user along a progression of rewards.
Retention06
Set Collection / Completion
A mechanic that organises rewards into named sets, where completing a set unlocks an additional reward or status.
Retention10
XP / Leveling
An experience point system where users accumulate points through actions, eventually reaching level thresholds that unlock rewards or status.