Dark patterns in player experience for kids: the case of Fortnite

Abstract

Dark patterns are used in game design and development, and it influences the player experience. We have studied in past research what hooks are most successful in game design for kids from 8 to 12 years old, focused on the Fortnite game. The consequence for some kids was the change of mood, no outdoor activity, isolation, and even in some cases little robberies. We claim to avoid dark patterns in player experience design to minimize bad consequences for kids. In this paper, we enumerate some dark patterns in games and we insist that this phenomenon has to be eradicated from player experience and game design.