Core Survival Game Mechanics and Features

The Survival Game Player Preferences survey by EggBit Games LLC. provided a closer look at the core mechanics that players value in survival games. From resource management and crafting systems to environmental changes and survival challenges, these elements contribute to the depth and realism that players seek in survival games. Below, we dive into each of these mechanics to better understand what makes a survival game immersive and engaging.

Resource Management Preferences

Resource gathering and management are at the heart of survival games, where players must often balance scarcity and survival. The survey gathered data on preferences for resource respawn times, with multiple options reflecting different player strategies and gameplay paces.

Fast (24 minutes or less): 31% (109 participants)
Moderate (24 minutes – 2 hours): 50% (174 participants)
Slow (2+ hours): 16% (54 participants)
Never respawn nodes: 3% (10 participants)

The majority of players (50%) preferred a moderate respawn time, balancing realism and resource availability. The 31% favoring a faster respawn time indicates a preference for more action-oriented gameplay, while the 16% favoring slow respawn times may appreciate the added challenge and scarcity that come with longer respawns.

Crafting System Complexity

Crafting systems are essential in many survival games, providing players with tools, shelter, and resources for progression. The survey results show a clear preference for complex crafting systems, reflecting players’ desire for depth in gameplay and survival mechanics.

Complex crafting system: 51% (176 participants)
Simple crafting system: 39% (137 participants)
Indifferent: 10% (35 participants)

A significant 51% of respondents indicated a preference for complex crafting systems, suggesting that detailed and intricate crafting elements are highly valued in the survival genre. Meanwhile, 39% preferred a simpler approach, highlighting a secondary player segment interested in streamlined mechanics for ease of play.

Survival Challenges and Preferences

Survival games often introduce a variety of challenges, from environmental hazards to enemy threats, that require players to strategize and adapt. The survey asked players about the survival challenges they enjoy most, allowing multiple selections to capture diverse player interests.

Environmental hazards (weather, natural disasters): 34% (117 participants)
Resource management (food, water): 33% (114 participants)
Enemy threats (animals, NPCs, other players): 29% (100 participants)
Puzzles and exploration: 14% (48 participants)

Environmental hazards and resource management emerged as top challenges, each chosen by about a third of respondents. This reflects players’ interest in realistic survival scenarios that require strategic planning and resource allocation. The preference for enemy threats highlights the importance of combat or conflict elements, while a smaller group enjoys puzzles and exploration-focused challenges.

Weather and Environmental Changes

Dynamic environments, including weather changes and natural events, play a vital role in the realism and immersion of survival games. The survey asked players if they preferred games that incorporate weather and environmental variability.

Yes, prefer weather/environment changes: 77% (266 participants)
No, do not prefer: 17% (58 participants)
No preference: 6% (23 participants)

An overwhelming majority (77%) of players expressed a preference for weather and environmental changes, underscoring the importance of dynamic environments in survival games. These changes add an unpredictable layer to gameplay, requiring players to adapt to shifting conditions, whether through shelter, clothing, or resource gathering.

Grinding vs. Quick Resource Gathering

Resource gathering style is another critical aspect of survival games. We explored whether players prefer the “grind” of gathering resources over time or quick, easily accessible resources.

Grind (preferred long-term gathering): 58% (201 participants)
Quick (preferred faster gathering): 42% (145 participants)

Most players (58%) preferred a grind-style approach, suggesting an interest in a more challenging and resource-scarce experience. This reflects a trend in survival games where players enjoy working gradually toward objectives, aligning with the genre’s focus on perseverance and resourcefulness.

Difficulty and Death Mechanics

Difficulty settings and death mechanics add high stakes to survival games. The survey gathered data on preferred difficulty levels and mechanics, such as permadeath, to understand how challenging players like their experiences to be.

Preferred Difficulty Levels

Hardcore mode: 36% (126 participants)
Normal mode: 54% (189 participants)
Easy mode: 10% (33 participants)

With 54% of players preferring normal difficulty, there’s a clear trend toward balanced yet challenging gameplay. However, 36% of players selected hardcore mode, underscoring a significant group that values high-stakes gameplay, often featuring limited resources and tougher survival conditions.

Permadeath Mechanics

Yes, prefer permadeath: 69% (238 participants)
No, do not prefer: 31% (109 participants)

Interestingly, 69% of players preferred games with permadeath mechanics, where dying means starting over. This shows a strong interest in high-stakes gameplay where the risk of losing progress adds intensity to the experience. The remaining 31% prefer survival games where death is less punitive, indicating a secondary preference for progression-based play.

Loot and Progression on Death

Another key mechanic in survival games is loot retention and progression after death. Players were asked if they prefer to retain some, all, or none of their items upon dying.

Yes, retain all loot: 58% (203 participants)
No, lose all loot: 24% (83 participants)
Some loot/experience retained: 18% (61 participants)

With 58% preferring to retain loot on death, there is a noticeable inclination toward progression-based mechanics where players can continue developing their characters or resources. However, a significant portion still favors the high-risk, high-reward gameplay that comes with losing all progress upon death.

Summary of Core Mechanic Preferences

The Survival Game Player Preferences survey highlights a player base that values depth and realism in survival games. From resource management and complex crafting to dynamic environments and high-stakes death mechanics, these core features define the immersive and challenging experiences that players seek. The insights from this survey provide developers with valuable guidance in shaping mechanics that align with player expectations, ensuring a game that is both engaging and rewarding.

EggBit Games is pleased to present these findings and encourages developers to consider these preferences when designing future survival games to meet the evolving interests of the gaming community.

More Data from Our Survey

Summary of Survival Game Player Preferences

Player Preferences: Platforms, Modes, and Difficulty

You Are Here: Core Mechanics: Resources, Crafting, and Environment

What Players Like: Graphics, Sound, and Microtransactions

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Do players prefer fast or slow resource respawn times?

A: The majority of players (50%) prefer moderate resource respawn times, while 31% prefer faster respawns. This balance allows players to plan and strategize without making resources too scarce.

Q: Is a complex crafting system important to survival game players?

A: Yes, over half of players prefer a complex crafting system, which adds depth to gameplay. This shows that players enjoy detailed mechanics that enhance their survival experience.

Q: Do players like permadeath in survival games?

A: Interestingly, 69% of players prefer permadeath mechanics, adding high stakes to survival games. This preference highlights players’ interest in challenging, risk-heavy gameplay.