#atom

Hidden surprises that reward exploration and create unexpected delight

Core Idea: Easter Eggs are unexpected rewards triggered by non-obvious actions, creating moments of surprise and delight that encourage exploration and word-of-mouth sharing.

Key Elements

• Key Characteristics:

  • Completely unexpected rewards (user doesn't know they exist beforehand)
  • Triggered by non-obvious actions or discoveries
  • Create moments of surprise and delight

• Psychological Impact:

  • Generate heightened emotional response due to their unexpected nature
  • Encourage exploration of the system or environment
  • Create memorable moments users want to share with others
  • Incentivize continued engagement ("what else might I discover?")

• Implementation Types:

  • Hidden Features: Functionality that's not documented in interfaces
  • Content Surprises: Secret scenes, messages, or animations
  • Special Recognition: Unexpected acknowledgment of user achievements
  • Contextual Surprises: Rewards that appear based on specific timing or situations

• Difference from Mystery Boxes:

  • Mystery Boxes: User expects a reward but doesn't know what it will be
  • Easter Eggs: User doesn't expect any reward at all

Additional Connections

• Broader Context: Core Drive 7 - Unpredictability and Curiosity (the principle that drives Easter Egg effectiveness)
• Applications: Viral Marketing Techniques (how Easter Eggs drive word-of-mouth)
• See Also: Sudden Rewards (the technical term for this technique)

References

1. Yu-kai Chou, Actionable Gamification
2. The term originates from the 1979 Atari game "Adventure," which included a hidden room with the developer's name

#gamification #userexperience #engagement #virality

Connections:

Sources:

• From: Chou-Actionable Gamification