Events

Welcome-Back Bonus Expert Panel

About the Event

Player re-engagement doesn’t happen by accident. It’s driven by systems that make returning to a game feel rewarding, familiar, and worth investing in again. Welcome-back bonuses have become a key part of how studios reconnect lapsed players with progression, gameplay, and long-term engagement. 

That’s why we’re hosting a panel on May 26th focused on how studios are designing and evolving welcome-back bonus systems to improve retention and re-engage returning players.

Our host, Talia Shmuel, will lead a conversation with industry experts Cody Hard and Tom Storr on how teams approach welcome-back experiences, including:

  • Long-Term Progression vs. Instant Rewards – Why welcome-back bonuses tied to systems like daily reward tracks or battle passes can drive stronger long-term engagement than one-time rewards alone.
  • Timing the Return Experience – How studios determine when welcome-back bonuses should trigger and what defines a “lapsed” player.
  • Helping Players Reorient – How welcome-back hubs and guided re-entry experiences help returning players reconnect with gameplay systems, progression, and newly added content.
  • Designing for Retention – What works, what doesn’t, and how teams think about balancing generosity, engagement, and long-term player value.

💡 Don’t miss the chance to hear how industry leaders are designing welcome-back systems that turn returning players into re-engaged communities.

Register Now

 📅 Date: May 26, 2026

 ⏰ Time: 10:00–11:00 AM PDT

ABOUT THE PRESENTER

Talia Shmuel (Host)

Talia Shmuel (Host)

Director Slate Strategy

Talia Shmuel is an experienced leader in product and game design with over a decade in the gaming industry. Talia specializes in product management, operations, and design leadership, applying her deep expertise to drive growth and innovation.

Cody Hard

Cody Hard

Game Design Director · Electronic Arts (EA)

Cody Hard is an accomplished Game Design Lead currently serving as a Director of Game Design for Electronic Arts. He leads the talented game design team at Capital Games, guiding the creative direction for Star Wars: Galaxy of Heroes.

Tom Storr

Tom Storr

Founder · The Experimentation Group

Tom Storr is a product and experimentation expert, driving revenue growth through data-driven innovation. As the Founder of The Experimentation Group, he helps mobile game studios optimize their monetization, retention, and engagement strategies by leveraging experimentation and iterative design.