Mastodawn

Why use a real-time clock (RTC) in a Game Boy game?
- Resource replenishment over real time deters binge play and beat-then-refund
- Cosmetic changes for time of day or holidays
- Spaced repetition in language learning games
- For non-game applications such as a personal organizer

Why avoid RTC in a Game Boy game?
- Increases cartridge cost
- Reduces backup battery life
- Players with screen time limited by time of day or day of week miss important in-game events
- Reduces exposure of your game to viewers of speedrun streams

#GameDesign #RealTimeClock #ScreenTime #GameBoy #gbdev #SpacedRepetition

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Donald Hays

@PinoBatch I've played a lot of smartphone games, and find I kind of like the daily engagement extrinsic reward systems, and kind of wish I had Game Boy games that had those daily incentives to play.

But, I'm not keen on F2P monetization. I've enjoyed Apple Arcade versions of these games, which strip out in-app purchases (though you need the monthly Arcade subscription). Game Boy games, naturally, don't even have the option of IAP. I think I would like GB games like those IAP-less phone games.