Relationships Matter: Maximizing Retention in VR
Isabel Tewes
isabel@oculus.com

There are many ways to measure success, but coming from the mobile world (push notification
strategy, the habit of retention mini-games, funnel analysis, making a real difference when multi-million userbases exist) Isabel talked about retention today.

Retention defined

When someone loves your app and comes back to it time and time again.

Make a great first impression

• pinpoint your magic
• get to that moment quickly
• guide people through their first experience

Share your personality

• create a tone and stay consistent
• rethink your interactions
• identify the pain points
• design against them / take advantage of them

Create a lasting connection

• make the right decisions early

First Contact – Bernie Yee

He focused on how VR can be really overwhelming and having someone acknowledge your actions can be really powerful.

The Significance Robot Waving – the way the robot waves to you at the beginning of the experience draws upon a universal sign. You know you’re supposed to wave back. The personality of your wave then comes out as well.

Wave Finding – Helped guide users through the experience the robot is helping to guide your
attention to where you should be going.

Nudge – Nudge your users patiently and with intent

Rick and Morty – Virtual Rick-ality

Establish a tone and be consistent

Against Gravity – Rec Room

Create a safe environment that people come back to
Minimizing trolling and harassment
“Whatever you are when your [organization] is small remember you’ll only be a larger version of that”

Making friends in Rec Room
Two people making friends in Rec Room is done by shaking hands with someone.

High fiving in Rec Room

Upshot: Create your values early and stick to your values ruthlessly.