NO-RETENTION GAME MANIFESTO
A downloadable manifesto
We only live once so just let me play once.
If you want your players to keep playing your game for personal profit, that is a dark pattern and your game is just another pacifier in this burning world.
Video games can change the world only if you free their players.
Otherwise they are just a waste of time.
Show me your world and let me play.
Tell me the thing and let me go.
Show me my world and let me think.
Please.
Don’t tempt me with a future with you.
Don’t trick me into doing it again.
Don’t keep yourself for the next time.
Have no fear.
You will come back to my thoughts tomorrow.
You might appear in my written words next week.
You have no retention.
You are no detention.
I will replay you because I like you.
I will re-read you to digest what you had to say.
I will mourn our time from the bottom of my heart.
After all, I’m freer now that we’re apart.
This manifesto/poem was written the morning of Friday 12th of June 2026, when I was supposed to be working (on other things, for money). Made for Manifesto Jam 2026.
Thanks for reading and thank you for your time.
Comments
Log in with itch.io to leave a comment.
I agree wholly with this sentiment. I will not see all the endings. I appreciate when games which value agency allow me to play one ending and leave without having to get all the endings for the One True Ending or whatever, unless those games have a linear structure of endings (thus, a linear story with multiple 'fake' endings) or the games make it seamless/painless to experience all endings once I have done so the first time.
Thank you for writing and for sharing with us!
Last time I wrote a major manifesto during workhours, I quit the job.
Strikingly heartfelt words..
Cool manifesto. Can't wait to enjoy the paid DLC.
Yes! It has became such a common pattern for games to be talked about as "replay value, multiple endings (I must see them all!), achievements (I must get them all!), daily quests/rewards (I must return everyday!)". I like it when a game tries to be one thing, committed to telling one story, evoking one thought that you can sit with and absorb for a long time without the noise of all the retention strategies dissolving the thoughts before they can enter longer contemplation.