Game Studio Launches 30-Day Engagement Trial with $500 Rewards

This game developer is trying a fresh approach to regain player interest after facing several setbacks and unfavorable media coverage. An interactive trial is now in the works, designed to encourage consistent engagement and revive enthusiasm for their flagship title.

The studio has announced an extensive 30-day testing period scheduled from September 8 to October 7. Participants who log in for a minimum of one hour each day during designated periods—specifically between 3-7 PM PT on weekdays and 2-8 PM PT on weekends—will earn a gift card worth $500. Additionally, players who log in with lower frequency will also receive rewards, though the emphasis is on maintaining long-term participation. Some users have already been contacted via email by Sony with an invitation to take part in this comprehensive user research study.

According to plans, the title is set to launch before the close of Sony's fiscal year 2025, meaning that the release will occur no later than March 31, 2026. Observers are now debating whether offering cash as an incentive is a wise innovation to spark renewed interest or merely a bold, last-ditch effort to salvage a project thought to be in decline.