Artificial Scarcity
Limited time offers with unnecessary urgency.
One psychological trick that pushy salesmen use all around the world is artificial scarcity, and they often combine this with an unnecessary demand of urgency on the buyer. This is why you often see items listed for sale saying something like "Only 4 left in stock. Order now!"
Game developers use this technique to trick you into spending more time and money on their games. This often takes the form of limited time offers. The only reason for the short time limit is to make you rush into making an uninformed decision and prevent you from comparing the value of different items.
Games may also advertise items by saying that there are only a certain number available, "Hurry, only 47 magic daggers left in our inventory!" In a game where all the items are digital, there is no reason to artificially limit the supply of an item. In fact, often these numbers aren't even real and they may sell far more than the stated limit. The only reason for emphasizing the scarcity of the item is to make you hurry up and make a purchase before you think better.
Game developers use this technique to trick you into spending more time and money on their games. This often takes the form of limited time offers. The only reason for the short time limit is to make you rush into making an uninformed decision and prevent you from comparing the value of different items.
Games may also advertise items by saying that there are only a certain number available, "Hurry, only 47 magic daggers left in our inventory!" In a game where all the items are digital, there is no reason to artificially limit the supply of an item. In fact, often these numbers aren't even real and they may sell far more than the stated limit. The only reason for emphasizing the scarcity of the item is to make you hurry up and make a purchase before you think better.
Citations and Sources • Dark Patterns in the Design of Games
• Seven Psychological Sins of SimCity Social
• Seven Psychological Sins of SimCity Social
Examples
The Arcana: A Mystic Romance"New player limited offer"
Rise of Cultures"There are daily offers and bundles. There are also events, but these are seasonal and come back every year."
Among Us"Certain "Cosmicubes" (Bundled packs of cosmetic items) can only be bought for a limited time."
Bingo! Absolute Bingo Games"There is an occasional deal to buy coins and power-ups for a lower price once a week or so. A small purchase still only allows you to play a few games, because you never win enough to keep playing."
Tiny Tower"Every few hours there's a new offer that you lose out on if you don't take advantage of it, and another replaces it which is often not as appealing, so there's a constant feeling that you have to log on NOW and play NOW."
War and Order"Store rotates items on sale and locks. Certain events and modes limited to 24 hours every week or two."
Fishdom"there are always limited time events, and they make their cute images sad if you dont complete or win them"
Soul Knight"There is a limited time offer for new players but that doesn't really do much. However there has been a few skins and pets, usually from crossovers that have been limited."
Play Together"There’s always a different limited time event with exclusive prizes you can only get through that event."
Cookie Run: Kingdom"they're not too urgent, but there are limited-time events."