Getting your game featured on the homepage of FTM GAMES isn’t a matter of luck; it’s the result of meeting a specific, multi-layered set of criteria designed to highlight the highest quality and most engaging experiences for their user base. The platform’s editorial team acts as a curator, and their primary goal is to showcase games that demonstrate excellence in several key areas: raw player engagement and retention, technical polish and stability, innovative gameplay mechanics, and a strong, positive community response. Essentially, the homepage is reserved for titles that are not just good, but are proven to be exceptional within the ecosystem.
Let’s break down these criteria into the concrete factors the curation team analyzes.
The Hard Data: Player Engagement and Retention Metrics
First and foremost, the team looks at cold, hard data. A game might be a creative masterpiece, but if it doesn’t capture and hold players’ attention, it won’t make the cut for the prime homepage real estate. They have access to a dashboard filled with analytics, and they pay close attention to the following metrics over a game’s first critical weeks after launch:
- Daily Active Users (DAU) & Monthly Active Users (MAU): A high and, more importantly, growing number of unique players logging in daily and monthly is the most fundamental signal of a game’s health. A game that spikes on launch day but plummets a week later is less attractive than one with a steady, upward trend.
- Session Length: How long does the average player stay in your game per visit? Longer sessions indicate deep engagement and a compelling core loop. The team has internal benchmarks, but generally, sessions averaging over 15-20 minutes are seen very favorably.
- Player Retention Rates: This is arguably the most critical metric. What percentage of players who try your game come back the next day (Day 1 Retention), after seven days (Day 7 Retention), and after thirty days (Day 30 Retention)? High retention is the holy grail because it signifies a game with long-term viability. For example, a Day 1 retention rate above 40% and a Day 7 rate above 20% would immediately put a game on the radar.
- Monetization Performance: While not the sole factor, a healthy average revenue per user (ARPU) and a strong conversion rate (percentage of players making a purchase) show that players value the game enough to spend money on it. This is a powerful indicator of quality and engagement.
The table below summarizes the key data points they scrutinize:
| Metric | Why It Matters | What They’re Looking For |
|---|---|---|
| DAU/MAU Ratio | Measures “stickiness” – how often players return within a month. | A ratio above 0.2 (20%) is good; above 0.5 (50%) is exceptional. |
| Average Session Length | Indicates depth of engagement and fun factor. | Consistently over 15 minutes, with longer being better. |
| Day 1 Retention | Shows the power of the first impression and onboarding. | Benchmarks vary by genre, but rates above 35-40% are strong. |
| Day 7 Retention | Indicates whether the game has lasting appeal beyond the initial novelty. | Rates consistently above 15-20% are a very positive sign. |
| Conversion Rate | Reflects the perceived value of in-game items or advantages. | A stable or growing rate, even if small (2-5%), shows a healthy economy. |
Technical Polish and Stability: The Non-Negotiables
You can have the most engaging game idea in the world, but if it’s buggy, slow, or constantly crashing, it will never be featured. The editorial team treats technical quality as a gatekeeper criterion. Before even considering the engagement metrics, the game must pass a rigorous check for stability.
This includes:
- Low Bug Count: The game should be virtually free of game-breaking bugs, progression blockers, and major visual glitches. Minor cosmetic issues might be tolerated at launch, but anything that negatively impacts the player experience is a red flag.
- Performance Optimization: How does the game run on a range of devices? They look for smooth frame rates (ideally 60fps where intended) and quick load times. A game that drains battery life or causes devices to overheat will be penalized.
- Server Reliability: For online games, server uptime is paramount. Frequent disconnections, lag, or downtime during peak hours are serious marks against a game’s feature eligibility. The platform monitors this data closely.
- Security: The game must be secure against common exploits and hacks. This protects both the players and the integrity of the platform’s ecosystem.
In short, the game needs to feel professional. A player should never have to fight the game’s technology to enjoy its gameplay.
Innovation and Gameplay Depth: Standing Out from the Crowd
While data is king, it’s not the only ruler. The curation team has a mandate to promote diversity and innovation on the platform. They are actively looking for games that bring something new to the table, whether it’s a fresh twist on a classic genre, a unique art style, or a novel gameplay mechanic.
They ask questions like:
- Does this game do something we haven’t seen before, or does it execute a familiar concept exceptionally well?
- Is there strategic depth or a high skill ceiling that will keep players engaged for months, not just days?
- Does the game have a strong, unique identity through its art, narrative, or sound design?
A hyper-casual puzzle game with amazing retention metrics might be featured, but a complex strategy game with a dedicated (if slightly smaller) player base might also be chosen because it adds depth and variety to the homepage’s offerings. They aim for a balanced portfolio that appeals to different player tastes.
Community Response and Social Proof
Finally, the team heavily weighs the organic conversation happening around the game. This is where qualitative data meets quantitative data. They actively monitor:
- App Store Ratings and Reviews: They don’t just look at the average score (though a 4.0+ rating is typically expected), but they read the reviews. Are players passionate? Are they providing constructive feedback? A game with a lower score but hundreds of detailed, enthusiastic reviews might be more interesting than a game with a perfect score but only a few vague comments.
- Social Media Buzz: Is the game being discussed on Twitter, Reddit, or Discord? Are content creators on YouTube or Twitch making videos about it? Organic grassroots buzz is a powerful indicator of a game’s cultural impact and is highly valued.
- Developer Responsiveness: How does the development team interact with the community? Developers who are active in their forums, transparent about updates, and quick to address issues are viewed very favorably. It shows a long-term commitment to the game’s success, which aligns with the platform’s goals.
The path to the homepage is a combination of art and science. It requires a game to excel in measurable performance, technical excellence, creative design, and community building. There’s no single formula, but mastering these areas dramatically increases the chances of earning that coveted spotlight.