Sticky, Loveable, and Loyal: How Developers Create Winning Games with Psychological Segmentation

Accurate segmentation makes the difference between a good game and a great one, but with the declining availability of third-party data, developers face mounting challenges in finding strategies that drive installs and reduce churn. The opportunity? Psychological segmentation, which taps into player motivations and traits rather than relying on surface-level demographics or behaviors. This week, Joe Schaeppi, CEO and Co-Founder of Solsten, joins our hosts Peggy Anne Salz and Brian Baglow to reveal how this approach gives developers a winning edge. From understanding the "why" behind player behavior to uncovering untapped personas and creating experiences that truly resonate, Joe breaks down how psychology-driven segmentation empowers developers to connect with players on a deeper level. The result? Games that are not only sticky but also lovable and loyalty-worthy. Tune in to learn about the science of resonance, why it beats relevance, and how to design games that foster enduring player relationships and scalable success. CHAPTER TIMESTAMPS 00:00 - Intro 02:45 - Risk & fun 04:30 - What kind of player are you? 07:39 - Resonance vs relevance  11:46 - How to use resonance to stand out 19:24 - Solsten is an insurance policy 25:34 - How does Solsten work? 32:37 - It starts during development 36:30 - Values show up during play 40:01 - Integrating brands 46:33 - If 50% of VCs like your idea 50:16 - Favourite games Q&A   * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *  ** Let's Connect ** 👉🏻 X - https://x.com/pgbiz 👉🏻 LinkedIn Group - https://www.linkedin.com/groups/144491/  👉🏻 Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/PGbiz  👉🏻 Website - https://www.pocketgamer.biz  Check out more world-class speakers sharing their insights and expertise at one of our events. You can find details of our next event here - https://www.pgconnects.com/next-event