gameplayover

Gameplayover is a term used in video game design and analytics to describe the transitional state that occurs when active gameplay ends and the game moves into non-interactive screens such as results, cutscenes, or menus. It is distinct from a game over in that it emphasizes the process and user experience of ending a play session rather than the final outcome of the session.

Origin and usage vary by studio and project. The term appears in design documentation and analytics dashboards, particularly in teams that track user flow through different post-play states. While not universally adopted, it provides a useful label for analyzing how players move from gameplay to post-game interfaces.

Definition and scope. Gameplayover can be triggered by different events, including the completion of a level, the death of a player, or the player quitting to the main menu. It represents the period during which active input may be limited or redirected to post-game interfaces. The exact visuals, audio cues, and timing of this state differ across games, but common features include a transition sequence, a summary of performance, and options to continue, retry, or exit.

Mechanics and analytics. Designers consider gameplayover to optimize engagement during the post-game phase. Data collected in this state includes session length, time-to-result, actions per minute during the transition, and the effectiveness of the results screen in prompting replays or continued play.

Relation to similar concepts. Gameplayover is separate from the game over screen, which often denotes a terminal outcome. It is related to the results screen, end-of-level summaries, and the broader post-match or post-level flow.

See also. Game over; results screen; end of level; session analytics.