Review the design doc — Game Designer · Pretender
Your fictional studio is making a free puzzle game for kids. A teammate wrote the monetisation section of the design document. You review it. Find the 3 “dark patterns” that pressure or trick children.
Spot the issues · ~3 min
Your role
You're the lead game designer (in this game).
Your goal
Find the 3 “dark patterns” that pressure or trick children.
What you know
- A dark pattern is a design that tricks players into doing something they didn't mean to.
Limits
- The studio still needs to earn money fairly.
Success looks like
- No pressure — You caught the fake countdown.
- Clear prices — You caught the hidden real-money cost.
- Parent consent — You caught the one-tap purchase.
Skills you used
- Fairness — Applying rules the same way for everyone.
- Vigilance — Noticing warning signs early.
In real life
Game designers and regulators increasingly watch for dark patterns in children's games; consumer authorities in Europe have acted against fake urgency and hidden prices.
Game Designer
Invent rules and levels that are fun and fair.
Explore next
- Software Developer — Build the apps and tools people use every day.
- Architect & Urban Planner — Design buildings and streets people love to live in.
- Teacher — Help others understand — and check that they did.
Keep exploring
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