Comment by mzajc

3 months ago

I like the idea, but their ratings seem.. dubious at best. For example: Hyperrogue, which hit the frontpage a few times and which I can confidently say does not feature any dark patterns, is rated just 1.19 [0] on a 5 (best) to -5 (worst) scale.

[0] https://www.darkpattern.games/game/18554/0/hyperrogue.html

26 comments

mzajc

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brulard  3 months ago

Regarding hyperrogue, I've seen it mentioned multiple times as a fun game. I tried to play it but I had found no fun in it at all. The non-euclidean take is interesting, but it felt just like a demo of the weird-geometry engine, I've found no enjoyment in that. Graphics is rough, I've found no interesting items, enemies, mechanics or puzzles. Not sure if I just played it wrong or why my experience was different.

1bpp  3 months ago

also funny how those first 3 'dark patterns' are basically just the core appeal of the genre

  • Kiro  3 months ago

    Yeah, can't take this site seriously when it lists some of my favorite mechanics as dark patterns.

    • jasonlotito  3 months ago

      You're allowed to like dark patterns. Doesn't make them any less dark. They manipulate you to get you to play more. But you are allowed to enjoy it. Trying to save your ego or pride by pretending is silly.

      4 replies →

p1necone  3 months ago

Yeah I think this clarifies the core issue with this kind of thinking (imo).

The venn diagram between 'mechanics that make games fun' and 'dark patterns' (as described by this site) is basically a circle. The important thing isn't the patterns themselves, it's that they're used to make you spend money on microtransactions.

Looking at just the mechanics divorced of any context of the surrounding business/marketing/monetization is missing the point.

  • toast0  3 months ago

    > The venn diagram between 'mechanics that make games fun' and 'dark patterns' (as described by this site) is basically a circle.

    I don't really think Daily Rewards are a fun mechanic. Nor is Friend Spam, and Social Pyramid Scheme is rarely fun either.

    • p1necone  3 months ago

      3/16 is not great. All good bullshit is wrapped around a grain of truth, this website might be more useful if they just concentrated on the things are dark patterns regardless of context.