Pay to Win
A player can spend real money to purchase something that gives them an advantage in the game.
Many games have a system where you can purchase items by using in-game currency. This currency can be earned by performing certain actions, such as grinding and sometimes it can be purchased with real money, which makes it a premium currency. If earning the in-game currency through gameplay is so slow that it's almost impossible to realistically earn enough to buy the necessary items, then spending real money becomes necessary. The players who spend the most will have the biggest advantage and a free-to-play (F2P) player will be at a significant disadvantage.
If you can spend real money to give yourself an advantage over other players, then a game is exhibiting the "Pay to Win" dark pattern. In addition to accelerating the normal earning of in-game currency, you may also be able to purchase a "cheat" or unlock some otherwise unobtainable item that gives you an advantage.
Sometimes games give large incentives to be in the top ranks, but make it impossible to get into the top ranks unless you constantly spend money to purchase the latest items or upgrades. This dark pattern is sometimes called "Monetized Rivalries", and when its combined with another dark pattern, called depreciation, it can setup a player to be constantly needing to spend money to stay ahead of other players.
If you can spend real money to give yourself an advantage over other players, then a game is exhibiting the "Pay to Win" dark pattern. In addition to accelerating the normal earning of in-game currency, you may also be able to purchase a "cheat" or unlock some otherwise unobtainable item that gives you an advantage.
Sometimes games give large incentives to be in the top ranks, but make it impossible to get into the top ranks unless you constantly spend money to purchase the latest items or upgrades. This dark pattern is sometimes called "Monetized Rivalries", and when its combined with another dark pattern, called depreciation, it can setup a player to be constantly needing to spend money to stay ahead of other players.
Citations and Sources • Dark Patterns in the Design of Games
• What is a Dark Pattern in Video Games?
• What is a Dark Pattern in Video Games?
Examples
Minecraft"Promoted multiplayer servers have pay 2 win items."
Airlines Manager : Tycoon 2019"Premium member could automatize their airplane maintenance or batch-change their price while all free users need to do those manually"
CATS: Crash Arena Turbo Stars"The game is disgustingly pay to win, with many offers giving you parts that are significantly stronger than regular ones you get for money, not even gems. The parts you get give you an advantage so significant over enemies you can pass through several arenas using parts bought from one arena."
My Talking Tom Friends"you pay to get coins."
Dragon Raja"whales are rampant"
Beatstar"During multiplayer events, you can purchase additional attempts."
AFK Journey"If you get enough copies of some heroes, you are just instantly better than everyone else."
Invasion: Modern Empire"yes there are march boosters, a stronger upgradable spaceship (compared to the base free upgradable one), extra research and building queues so you can double the amount of upgrades you are completing at a time, and various consumables for buildings and research that skip a lot of gathering time for free players."
Clash of Clans"By purchasing gems you can speed up various upgrade timers."
Bud Farm: Grass Roots"competitions, decorations, epic gismos"