Variable Rewards
Unpredictable or random rewards are more addictive than a predictable schedule.
Casinos know that slot machines are more addictive if they pay out a random reward at unpredictable times. If people always won back 80% of their money on each pull of the lever, it wouldn't be an exciting game and wouldn't be addictive. It's the unpredictable and random nature of the rewards that keeps people playing with the hope for that rare big jackpot.
A constant or predictable schedule of rewards is not very exciting. This is why games often randomize the rewards that you receive for finishing a level or defeating an enemy. By making the rewards like a slot machine, they are trying to make the game more additive. They may also be trying to extend gameplay by making you grind longer to get what you want. If you need a certain item, but it only appears as a reward 5% of the time, people will keep playing over and over with the hope of getting that rare item. If the game has limited energy and forces you to wait to play then people may end up paying money to skip the wait.
A constant or predictable schedule of rewards is not very exciting. This is why games often randomize the rewards that you receive for finishing a level or defeating an enemy. By making the rewards like a slot machine, they are trying to make the game more additive. They may also be trying to extend gameplay by making you grind longer to get what you want. If you need a certain item, but it only appears as a reward 5% of the time, people will keep playing over and over with the hope of getting that rare item. If the game has limited energy and forces you to wait to play then people may end up paying money to skip the wait.
Citations and Sources • Why are Video Games Addictive?
• Behavioral Game Design
• 5 Game Mechanics that Make Games Addicting
• Wikipedia :: Reinforcement
• Behavioral Game Design
• 5 Game Mechanics that Make Games Addicting
• Wikipedia :: Reinforcement
Examples
My Talking Tom Friends"almost everything you do gives you bus tokens (see my review on loot boxes)"
Yu-Gi-Oh! Master Duel"The game used to have uncapped gem rewards for playing a match until the ladder was filled with bots."
Forge of Empires"random rewards, but the percentages are displayed and my rewards have reflected the percentage chances."
RPG Toram Online"Toram has a coercive power that incentivizes players to gacha after earning a hardwork orbs/ticket pieces via; a monthly avatars, their favorite theme (e.g Dawn Samurai Armor) only for it to land on wooden, bronze, and silver and not get a single golden chest to complete a set due to its unpredictability on probability, same goes of being featured on a #bemmoshow during livestream. Asobimo FAILED to fix a one MAJOR flaw of the winning rates that are backwards and infact rigged / unwinnable."
Clash Royale"Loot boxes as win rewards."
Space Arena: Build & Fight MMO"daily/class battles having a chance to award a loot box apon victory or blueprint(s) to upgrade current ship"
Play Together"you somewhat get emote or titles when doing something unique"
Teamfight Tactics: League of Legends Strategy Game"There are loot orbs and item anvils, that give to random gold or items, for killing monsters or accomplishing an encounter."
Plants vs. Zombies™"randomly drops coins for killing zombies"
Rise of Cultures"Lots of in-game quests give random rewards."