A game technique that leverages unpredictability in reward structures to increase engagement
Core Idea: Mystery Boxes provide unexpected rewards for completing actions, creating anticipation and excitement that often proves more motivating than fixed rewards.
Key Elements
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Implementation Approaches:
- Reward structures where users know they'll receive something but don't know what
- "Loot drops" in games that provide random items after defeating enemies
- Subscription boxes delivering surprise items monthly
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Psychological Mechanism:
- Creates anticipation similar to Christmas gifts - knowing you'll get something but not knowing what
- Activates Core Drive 7 - Unpredictability and Curiosity
- Appeals to our natural desire for pleasant surprises
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Examples:
- White Elephant Gift Exchange: A party game where participants receive random gifts with the option to "steal" from others
- Mystery Box Shop: A company that literally sells boxes with unknown contents
- Video Game Loot: Random rewards for completing challenges
- Subscription Services: Monthly boxes with surprise items
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Design Considerations:
- Must balance unpredictability with satisfaction (rewards should feel worthwhile)
- Works best when combined with other core drives like Achievement and Ownership
- Random rewards should still feel fair and valuable to maintain engagement
Additional Connections
- Broader Context: The Skinner Box Experiment (the psychological foundation)
- Applications: La Quinta Hotel Gamification Case Study (successful implementation in hospitality)
- See Also: Lottery and Rolling Rewards (related technique with guaranteed winners)
References
- Yu-kai Chou, Actionable Gamification
- Jesse Schell, Art of Game Design
#gamification #gamedesign #reward-systems #unpredictability
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