Here's an interesting way to engage with your users.

US developer PlayMesh is attempting to wipe them out, at least in the context of its iOS and Android city-building PVP game Valor

It's pledged to play by the rules and not use its developer dark arts and formed an employee-only guild within a specific location - World 100 - and is taking on all-comers.

Hard edge

What's particularly interesting about the challenge - which is detailed in what the company calls its Declaration of War - is that Valor has perma-death in that "losers die horrible deaths and lose everything they ever worked for".

However, there's also the temptation of great rewards as each of PlayMesh players has a bounty on their heads, if you can best them.

"We design games for hardcore players," commented game lead Shawn 'PwnLaw' Foust.

"We felt like the best way to demonstrate our respect for our players is to horribly destroy them and all they've come to love. That's customer service, the PlayMesh way."