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Show HN: Dark Patterns in Game Design

darkpattern.games

26 pointsoffsky8 comments

When I found myself becoming addicted to games that I didn't enjoy playing, I started to do some research about dark patterns in game design, particularly free-to-play mobile games that abuse the in-app purchase mechanic. I personally want to create (and play) healthy games that are actually fun and not just exploiting my neurochemistry.

That's why I created DarkPattern.Games, to share this research so other people can learn to avoid these dark patterns in games that they create or play. The site explains all the dark patterns that I have found and allows people to find and rate mobile games based on how aggressively they use these patterns.

I'm not saying that any game that uses a dark pattern is bad. It's clearly subjective and depends on the intent of the developer and other factors; I tried to convey this on the site.

I still have a lot to learn, so I'm looking for feedback on how to make the site a better resource for improving the healthiness of games. What do people here think about dark patterns in games?

Thanks for this, it seems quite comprehensive. Personally I think once a “game” starts using a dark pattern I no longer consider it a game but an exploit for human weakness because they’re not acting in the interests of their players. A good indication is the existence of IAP’s which allow you to buy unlimited quantities of in game currencies.

Thank you for making this site. I think its important that people think more deliberately about the kinds of game mechanics they find fulfilling. I would point out that what may be a dark pattern for one player could be a desirable feature for another. For example customization can be used to exploit the sunk cost fallacy to the detriment of casual players, but others might consider that investment to be a good part of the gameplay as with some rpgs. It might be useful if people could express the magnitude of effect a pattern has on the game with some kind of numerical score. That would open up the possibility of eye catching data visualizations.

This is a good resource you've created. Much like our relationship with food has evolved (read "The Omnivore's Dilemma" if you haven't), the kinds of interaction we engage in everyday have important effects on our mental health, but these kinds of "information consumption patterns" are not (yet) well-known by the general public. Thank you for making and sharing!

P.S. What's up with Roblox? Are they sending voting brigades to neutralize the "dark pattern" pages that indict their product?

The site is super interesting. Thanks for creating and sharing it.

I can appreciate the effort expended on compiling such a great wealth of information, but the execution needs work. This site would essentially label all RPG games as dark games, and anything board game-like as healthy.

Further, I don't think there's anything dark about games being addictive. They should be, otherwise they're boring. If you obtain no dopamine kick from playing a game, you're doing chores. When addiction becomes something that is taken advantage of, then it's a dark pattern.

Maybe that's actually correct, but frankly I find it plainly wrong. So, I agree with what you have to say. It's clearly subjective-in your words-but this seems egregiously conservative.

> I don't think there's anything dark about games being addictive. They should be, otherwise they're boring.

I don't think that's the case at all, since you'd be playing the game because you're addicted, not because you're having fun.

Why couldn't you enjoy a game without being addicted to it?

Cool site! Good write ups.

I think I discovered a very subtle dark pattern in one of my favorite games of all time... Rocket League.

I don't care for the loot boxes and aesthetics or anything like that. It's actually a very simple game of car soccer.

But the music seems to have some subliminal messages that must be intentional.

Some of the lyrics I've noticed this with:

"I've been putting in the hours, hours, hours..." because people put lots of time into this game. "Playing with the boys" obviously hits with the target audience of the game to play with their friends. "Don't pause, press play, don't pause, press play, press play, press play, press play."

Maybe it's not subliminal, but sometimes I get in the zone and then I hear these songs and I think to myself that I'm falling victim to their song choices.

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