#atom

Collaborative challenges that require multiple participants to achieve a common goal

Core Idea: Group Quests are tasks or challenges that cannot be completed by a single individual, requiring coordination and participation from multiple users to achieve the win-state.

Key Elements

• Collective participation: Requires multiple users working together toward a shared objective
• Interdependence: Individual success depends on group success
• Social amplification: Motivates sharing and recruitment to gather necessary participants
• Threshold mechanics: Often involves reaching a specific number of participants or actions

Implementation Patterns

1. Participation thresholds: "This deal activates when 200 people sign up"
2. Skill complementarity: Requiring different user abilities that must work in concert
3. Resource pooling: Combining individual resources to reach a collective goal
4. Synchronized action: Requiring coordinated timing from multiple participants

Business Applications

• Groupon's model: Discounts activated only when enough buyers participate
• Crowdfunding campaigns: Projects funded only if enough backers contribute
• Referral programs: Rewards for bringing in multiple new users
• Collaborative workplace challenges: Team-based productivity or wellness competitions

Game Design Examples

• Raid bosses: Powerful enemies in MMOs requiring coordinated player groups
• Multi-player puzzles: Game sections requiring simultaneous actions from different players
• Clan/guild objectives: Shared goals that benefit all members upon completion
• Community milestones: Global targets requiring contribution from the player base

Psychological Drivers

• Social accountability: Not wanting to let the group down
• FOMO: Fear of missing out on group achievement
• Resource optimization: Efficiently pooling resources for mutual benefit
• Belonging: Strengthening community through shared accomplishments

Additional Connections

• Broader Context: Core Drive 5 - Social Influence and Relatedness (fundamental motivation type)
• Applications: Viral Mechanics (how group quests spread)
• See Also: Social Treasures (related social engagement technique)

References

1. Chou, Yu-kai. "Actionable Gamification: Beyond Points, Badges, and Leaderboards."
2. Mason, Winter, and Duncan J. Watts. "Collaborative learning in networks."

#collaboration #social-design #gamification #collective-action

Connections:

Sources:

• From: Chou-Actionable Gamification