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
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."
Rise of Cultures"Cultures specialize in specific resource productions; you need all the resources to progress, so you must trade for the resources you don't have."
FINAL FANTASY BRAVE EXVIUS"You can 'lend' a unit for their battles. This doesn't give them the unit."
A3! Actor Training Game"Friend points can be used in Friend Scout"
Krunker"You are allowed to trade almost any item with another player."
State of Survival"limited to items no one wants"
Growtopia"Yup. Real World Trading being the biggest problem. Scams being awful, people losing thousands of dollars in the game in matters of seconds"
Fire Emblem Heroes"Friend lists give minute "feathers""
Terraria."Players may toss items to one another, or take from a chest."