4 ms·

Does anyone here know exactly what these patterns are?

haunter 4y ago
I play Fortnite so I can answer. Basically purchase in Fortnite was instant. You clicked/touched on the button > you bought it instantly. There were no confirmation screens, no "are you sure" etc nothing. One click purchase. And cancellation was very limited, basically non existent. Credit cards were also saved instantly so no further interaction needed for later purchases, so some kids ended up spending a lot without their parents knowledge at all. There are more examples here about the patterns https://www.ftc.gov/business-guidance/blog/2022/12/245-million-ftc-settlement-alleges-fortnite-owner-epic-games-used-digital-dark-patterns-charge https://www.ftc.gov/business-guidance/blog/2022/12/245-milli... They already changed the system like half a year ago, guess they knew about the penalty back then https://www.fortnite.com/news/updates-to-fortnite-purchase-cancellation-and-social-settings https://www.fortnite.com/news/updates-to-fortnite-purchase-c... Now for every purchase you have to hold the buy button for several seconds. You can't click/touch accidentally. Plus there is a proper refund system now.
- berkle4455 4y ago
  This is in sharp contrast to Roblox where a purchase attempt pops up a confirmation screen, a clear explanation of what you’re purchasing, what the cost is, and what your balance will be post-purchase. And then it makes you wait a few seconds before it enables the “purchase” button itself.
- hinkley 4y ago
  I don’t like how sometimes in streaming services clicking on a movie shows the details, while in other places it starts the movie. Now it’s on my keep watching list which gets awkward on family accounts. But at least they don’t auto play movies that you have to pay for. Which it sounds like is what’s happening here.
- thunky 4y ago
  Not disagreeing, but just a note that it is possible to play Fortnite without spending a single cent or giving out a credit card. It's not a pay to play game, so you're not limiting yourself by keeping your money. You just miss out on skins & emotes. So this line from the linked ftc post is incorrect: "Epic charges for in-game purchases designed to enhance game play" Money does not enhance game play. Epic also hands out in-game currency every so often, so you can even collect skins for free after some time. That said, kids gotta have the new skins.
  - nottorp 4y ago
    > Money does not enhance game play. Common misconception. In reality, allowing for IAPs has changed the design of the game greatly. For example, those cosmetics you don't consider important have been made non attainable from normal gameplay. Every little pixel sold as an IAP also means the design of the game is changed to give you an incentive to buy the IAP, instead of entertaining you.
    - thunky 4y ago
      I don't understand what you mean. When I say "game play" I mean the how the game is actually played. Things like available weapons or reachable maps affect game play. Cosmetics don't. Skins and emotes don't make you play the game differently therefore they don't enhance "game play". Just like wearing a fancy shirt doesn't enhance the game play of chess. Fortnite even allows you to enter competitive tournaments and compete for money without spending a dime. A player that spent $0 and is using the default skin is at no disadvantage vs a player that spent $1000.
      - nottorp 4y ago
        Don't think the whole player base is as obsessed with "competing". Most are there to socialize. Or who knows, "compete" on flashy skins.
        buzer 4y ago
        I'm glad I got used to wearing a literal poo poo hat (https://99porings.com/revo-classic/guides/firstjob/acolyte/baco.png https://99porings.com/revo-classic/guides/firstjob/acolyte/b...). Default glamor/skin is never ugly enough.

I play Fortnite so I can answer. Basically purchase in Fortnite was instant. You clicked/touched on the button > you bought it instantly. There were no confirmation screens, no "are you sure" etc nothing. One click purchase. And cancellation was very limited, basically non existent. Credit cards were also saved instantly so no further interaction needed for later purchases, so some kids ended up spending a lot without their parents knowledge at all. There are more examples here about the patterns https://www.ftc.gov/business-guidance/blog/2022/12/245-million-ftc-settlement-alleges-fortnite-owner-epic-games-used-digital-dark-patterns-charge https://www.ftc.gov/business-guidance/blog/2022/12/245-milli... They already changed the system like half a year ago, guess they knew about the penalty back then https://www.fortnite.com/news/updates-to-fortnite-purchase-cancellation-and-social-settings https://www.fortnite.com/news/updates-to-fortnite-purchase-c... Now for every purchase you have to hold the buy button for several seconds. You can't click/touch accidentally. Plus there is a proper refund system now.

berkle4455 4y ago
This is in sharp contrast to Roblox where a purchase attempt pops up a confirmation screen, a clear explanation of what you’re purchasing, what the cost is, and what your balance will be post-purchase. And then it makes you wait a few seconds before it enables the “purchase” button itself.
hinkley 4y ago
I don’t like how sometimes in streaming services clicking on a movie shows the details, while in other places it starts the movie. Now it’s on my keep watching list which gets awkward on family accounts. But at least they don’t auto play movies that you have to pay for. Which it sounds like is what’s happening here.
thunky 4y ago
Not disagreeing, but just a note that it is possible to play Fortnite without spending a single cent or giving out a credit card. It's not a pay to play game, so you're not limiting yourself by keeping your money. You just miss out on skins & emotes. So this line from the linked ftc post is incorrect: "Epic charges for in-game purchases designed to enhance game play" Money does not enhance game play. Epic also hands out in-game currency every so often, so you can even collect skins for free after some time. That said, kids gotta have the new skins.
- nottorp 4y ago
  > Money does not enhance game play. Common misconception. In reality, allowing for IAPs has changed the design of the game greatly. For example, those cosmetics you don't consider important have been made non attainable from normal gameplay. Every little pixel sold as an IAP also means the design of the game is changed to give you an incentive to buy the IAP, instead of entertaining you.
  - thunky 4y ago
    I don't understand what you mean. When I say "game play" I mean the how the game is actually played. Things like available weapons or reachable maps affect game play. Cosmetics don't. Skins and emotes don't make you play the game differently therefore they don't enhance "game play". Just like wearing a fancy shirt doesn't enhance the game play of chess. Fortnite even allows you to enter competitive tournaments and compete for money without spending a dime. A player that spent $0 and is using the default skin is at no disadvantage vs a player that spent $1000.
    - nottorp 4y ago
      Don't think the whole player base is as obsessed with "competing". Most are there to socialize. Or who knows, "compete" on flashy skins.
      - buzer 4y ago
        I'm glad I got used to wearing a literal poo poo hat (https://99porings.com/revo-classic/guides/firstjob/acolyte/baco.png https://99porings.com/revo-classic/guides/firstjob/acolyte/b...). Default glamor/skin is never ugly enough.