Metrics and monetization have a bad reputation, mostly because they hung out with the wrong crowd. We started hearing about both concepts not from their roots in MMOs but as a part of the development philosophy of specific social game companies that were also notorious for a decision-making process that didn't include designers. In fact, metrics provide useful tools for designers that become a part of the toolbox for creating great games that players love.

Whether it's for a live game or a sequel, someone's going to be looking at the numbers and making decisions about what players want and how to create a more financially successful game. You can lead those decisions, or you can stand by while someone else makes them. This talk is intended both to educate designers and to arm them for debates with marketing, business development, product managers and execs about design choices.