On today's discussion, we will be talking about games, and more specifically, how they can be made better, especially on mobile, without overheating your phone and melting your processor in the process.
As a developer myself working on Knight Estate, I’ve realized that the biggest missed opportunity in mobile games is something I've decided to call the "Grudge" mechanic.
What’s the "Grudge" Mechanic?
Basically, it’s when NPCs remember what you did to them. If you harmed them, they don’t forget. If you helped them, they really don’t forget. It’s the emotional memory system of your virtual world, and when done right, it’s an absolute game-changer.
Think of Shadow of Mordor’s Nemesis System. It was so good that Warner Bros patented it. That’s how groundbreaking it was. A random grunt you left alive comes back stronger, remembers your fight, and taunts you with personal lines. That’s the "grudge" in action, and it made the world feel so alive.
Now look at games like Crusader Kings 3. They’ve implemented elements of this with rivals, lovers, and friends. In my own game, Knight Estate, I’ve taken inspiration from both. Fabricate a claim on someone’s land, and you’d better be ready, they might track you, mark you, and even imprison you later. Characters in my game form grudges, fall in love, become loyal companions, and even rescue you from prison if you once treated them well. And when a character you overlooked breaks you out? It hits different.
Why This Works So Well on Mobile
Mobile games face a unique challenge: limited performance, limited attention span. You can’t throw a thousand characters, deep simulations, or ultra-detailed battle systems at a smartphone the same way you can on a PC. But you can simulate depth through memory and relationships.
The Magic of This Mechanic
It doesn’t require 200 characters or massive RAM usage. You can do it with 30. You can even do it with 10, if those 10 matter. If one of them betrayed you last winter and now you're back on your feet and planning your revenge? That’s engagement. And it barely taxes your phone.
Mobile games, and even games in general, don’t need realistic graphics to feel immersive. They need consequence, agency, and surprise. The players want to feel like their actions meant something. The grudge system creates that feeling naturally.
Why Are Devs Ignoring This?
Honestly? I'm not sure. But if I we're to guess. It’s that:
- It’s hard to write and track emotional continuity.
- It doesn’t demo well in 30-second trailers.
- It’s not "marketable" like online PvP.
Disclaimer: Other games may already have this feature but I'm not aware of any at the moment.
Lastly
If you’re building a game, especially a mobile RPG, don’t sleep on this feature. You don’t need 60 fps battles or sprawling empires to impress. Just the event of one friend kicking down your prison door is enough to make a player feel something.
And when games make us feel something, we keep coming back.