Which metric is commonly used as a data-driven indicator of player engagement and is provided as an example?

• A. Retention rate (D1, D7)
• B. In-game brightness level
• C. Network ping
• D. Frame rate

Answer: (A)

Engagement is about whether players keep coming back to a game. Retention rate, especially Day 1 and Day 7 retention, is a standard data-driven indicator because it directly measures how many players return after their initial exposure. Day 1 shows how sticky the onboarding and first-session experience are, while Day 7 reflects longer-term interest and habit formation. A high retention rate means players see ongoing value and are willing to return.

In contrast, in-game brightness level, network ping, and frame rate pertain to how the game runs or looks. They affect the playing experience but do not by themselves indicate whether players will continue to play over time.