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.


Examples

Solitaire Cash - Real Money Solitaire Cash - Real Money
"Limited, but you can trade cards."

Last Fortress Last Fortress
"You can gift decor items to other players"

Call of Dragons Call of Dragons
"limited ability to share wood, gold, and ore. No other sharing possible"

MARVEL Puzzle Quest MARVEL Puzzle Quest
"Can send iso"

Limbus Company Limbus Company
"Game allows you to use friends' units that they've selected, which may be a character or have EGO (special moves) that you do not own."

Asphalt 9: Legends - 2019's Action Car Racing Game Asphalt 9: Legends - 2019's Action Car Racing Game
"Wildcards can be given to clubmates who request them."

Rise of Cultures Rise of Cultures
"It allows you to trade with your alliance and upgrade their wonders, although you can do this with random players and NPCs as well."

Coin Master Coin Master
"You can trade cards with friends to complete card collections to earn more coins."

War and Order War and Order
"Resources"

Fishdom Fishdom
"you can give people an extra life and there is a specific button for asking people for that"