Reciprocity
Feeling obligated to return a favor, share resources, trade an item, etc.
If the game allows you to share resources, trade items or send gifts to your friends or other players then it may be using the dark pattern of Reciprocity. The person who receives your gift may feel a sense of obligation to return the favor. They may not have resources to share, and so they may feel bad that they gave something valuable away, or they may feel shame or guilt if they do not reciprocate. These unwanted negative feelings make the game less enjoyable.
If a game allows players to band together into guilds or clans, then sharing resources may be a requirement for participating in the group. Players may be punished by the leaders for not pulling their weight and helping out the team by donating valuable items.
The social pressure to donate items to other players means that you are giving up some of your own valuable resources that you have spent time and maybe money earning. This means that you have to spend more time and money to earn those items again.
If a game allows players to band together into guilds or clans, then sharing resources may be a requirement for participating in the group. Players may be punished by the leaders for not pulling their weight and helping out the team by donating valuable items.
The social pressure to donate items to other players means that you are giving up some of your own valuable resources that you have spent time and maybe money earning. This means that you have to spend more time and money to earn those items again.
Citations and Sources • Seven Psychological Sins of SimCity Social
• How Reciprocity Yields Bumper Crops in Farmville
• How Reciprocity Yields Bumper Crops in Farmville
Examples
Airlines Manager : Tycoon 2019"You could donate (in-game money) to help your in-alliance friend buying airplanes"
AFK Journey"Friends list, where you can send and receive 10 gifts a day. Your power level is shown on the friends list."
TheoTown"Not a dark pattern really. Just selling resources to neighbouring tiles"
Forge of Empires"trading goods. Again, optional for progression and such and is a core mechanic to the game that it genuinely doesn't feel too manipulative."
Invasion: Modern Empire"can send resources easily between bases and players can send consumable items via diamonds"
MONOPOLY GO!"Sticker trade"
Bud Farm: Grass Roots"trade materials and plants"
Space Arena: Build & Fight MMO"blueprint trading"
Crafting and Building"It s minecraft"
Asphalt 9: Legends"Only minimally, with a very strict and limited donation feature that is also exclusive to one in-game type of currency."