When Games Play Unfair - How "Dark Patterns" Trick Us

Imagine you’re playing your favorite video game. You’re collecting coins, building your village, or fighting monsters - and suddenly a colorful message appears with a countdown timer:

“Only now! Double rewards if you buy these treasures!”

That sounds exciting, doesn’t it? But sometimes there’s a trick behind it. These tricks are called “Dark Patterns”. They are little traps in game design that are meant to make you do something you might not have wanted to do. For example, spending real money, playing longer, or sharing personal information.

These tricks aren’t fair, because such often otherwise free games are specifically made so that even your parents - the adults - have a hard time seeing through them. That’s why our tip is to ask Mom and Dad beforehand, especially when something feels strange or somehow “too good to be true”.

More Detailed Section for Adults - What are “Dark Patterns”?

Dark Patterns are manipulative design elements in digital products. They deliberately exploit psychology to influence user behavior - usually to the advantage of the providers. We know this from supermarkets, where products are placed so that candies at the checkout are particularly noticeable at eye level for adults and children. In digital media, these patterns are often more subtle, but just as effective:

• FOMO mechanics (“Fear of Missing Out”): Time-limited offers that create pressure (“Only available today!”).
• Multiple different in-game currencies with unclear exchange rates: Players lose track of how much real money they’re actually spending.
• Misleading buttons: The “Continue” button sometimes doesn’t lead to the game, but to a purchase attempt.
• Reward loops: Through variable rewards (similar to slot machines), the reward system in the brain is stimulated.

Who is Particularly at Risk?

Children are especially vulnerable because they are less able to recognize psychological tricks.

Parents are often unconsciously co-manipulated - for example, when games use “Push your parents to continue playing”.

Vulnerable adults, such as those with addiction problems or low income, can be massively financially burdened by microtransactions.

The Psychological Impact

Many game developers use insights from behavioral economics and neuroscience to make game systems as “binding” as possible. Dopamine release - the feeling of well-being from small successes - is deliberately triggered. However, when rewards come irregularly, as in loot box systems, a gambling-like stimulus is created. This principle can lead to problematic gaming behavior and even addiction-like patterns, especially in young players.

What Can Parents and Players Do?

• Play together: This way parents can see what mechanics children are experiencing.
• Block purchases: In-app purchases can be restricted in app stores.
• Education: Explain to children that games are deliberately designed to keep them on screen longer.
• Choose consciously: Prefer games with fair business models (one-time purchase instead of microtransactions).
• Politics and oversight: Stricter rules could better protect children - for example through labeling requirements or bans on manipulative elements.

Quellen:

• Zagal, J. P., Björk, S., & Lewis, C. (2013). “Dark Patterns in the Design of Games”. Foundations of Digital Games Conference (FDG).
• Kimppa, K. K., & Bissett, B. (2020). “Dark Design and the Ethics of Gamification”. Ethics and Information Technology, 22(2).
• Stiglic, N., et al. (2022). “Manipulative Design of Apps and Children’s Rights”. UNICEF & University of Oxford Report.
• Autorité de la Concurrence (2024). “Dark Patterns and Online Gaming – Policy Review on Consumer Protection.
• DarkPattern.games (2025) “Healthy Gaming - Avoid Addictive Dark Patterns” (Website).
• Photo by Déji Fadahunsi: https://www.pexels.com/photo/modern-gaming-setup-with-smartphone-display-34233977/