Rarity is a powerful tool in gaming, creating value through scarcity and enhancing player engagement. In traditional games, rare items—whether cosmetics, equipment, or collectibles—are usually difficult to find, adding a level of excitement and achievement. However, with the rise of web3 technology, where in-game items hold value based on unique attributes, the approach to rarity must evolve beyond simple scarcity.

Games today have various options to merchandise rarity, each providing developers and players with new ways to engage and reward. This article delves into a blog post by Sam Barberie, looking at multiple methods for establishing rarity and desirability in games, highlighting ways developers can enhance player experiences and attract a broader user base.

How To Create Rarity And Desirability In Games

Luck-Based Rarity

Luck-based rarity is the foundational approach to scarcity, where the odds of acquiring a rare item are low, making discovery feel serendipitous. This mechanic is common in loot boxes and random in-game drops.

Benefits for Developers: Games using luck-based rarity encourage players to spend more time and money, continuously searching for rare items. By fostering prolonged engagement, this model also increases the excitement of exploration within the game world.

Limited-Time Availability

Time-limited events, whether daily or seasonal, create urgency by offering items or experiences that are only accessible during specific periods. Examples include special items tied to in-game events or concerts.

Benefits for Developers: Limited-time items drive a sense of exclusivity, bringing a surge of players to the game and fostering daily engagement. This model also strengthens community bonds among players who collect these unique items. For example, Motorverse's upcoming launch of Revuelto, a limited-time NFT in their web3 ecosystem, using Coinbase’s Base blockchain.

Limited Time NFTs Example

Intentional Misprints

Inspired by collector misprints, subtle item variations, such as minor aesthetic errors, add a rare “flaw” that becomes a sought-after feature. These quirks add uniqueness and attract players who appreciate subtle differences.

Benefits for Developers: Misprints can increase player curiosity, drawing them deeper into the game as they hunt for these unique items. Additionally, misprint variations encourage loot box purchases and create excitement around marketplace trades.

Item Degradation

Over time, items may degrade in appearance, symbolizing their “life” within the game. For instance, a weapon or armor piece might show wear, suggesting it has been through numerous battles.

Benefits for Developers: Degradation appeals to different players for different reasons. Those who value pristine items return to primary markets, while others cherish the story worn items can tell, boosting engagement and retention through a sense of status.

Achievement-Based Rewards

Rare items awarded based on skill, progression, or milestone achievements appeal to players who want their accomplishments recognized. Some achievement items may be available on secondary markets, amplifying their desirability.

Benefits for Developers: Achievement-based items inspire players to continue progressing, thereby increasing playtime and potentially enhancing spending on in-game purchases related to leveling or skill upgrades. For example, players can earn a Platinum Box in The Desolation's Open Beta.

The Desolation's Open Beta

Collection-Based Unlocks

“Collect them all” incentives appeal to players who enjoy completing sets, creating a metagame within the main gameplay. This type of rarity encourages cross-game collaboration, especially in web3 where items from different games can be combined.

Benefits for Developers: Collection-based rewards engage completionist players, driving traffic to primary and secondary markets and enabling cross-promotional opportunities with other games, thereby expanding player reach.

Print or Edition Numbers

Items labeled with specific edition numbers add value, especially for early adopters who seek first-edition exclusivity. Print numbers can be tailored to incentivize certain buying behaviors, such as low-numbered editions or specific “milestone” ranges.

Benefits for Developers: Print editions encourage urgency with new releases and offer structured incentives that keep players returning for the next limited edition.

Regional or Team-Based Items

Games can connect with player communities by offering items tied to geographical regions or in-game teams. Team-based items, especially in multiplayer games, can build a sense of camaraderie and add collectible value.

Benefits for Developers: By leveraging regional and team identity, developers enhance community engagement, encourage competition, and increase time spent within the game. For example, the upcoming Parallel tournament in partnership with YGG to take place live in Manila with a $100K prize pool.

YGG Partners with Parallel TGC for $100k Tournament

Customization Options

Customizable rarity allows players to combine rare materials or items, crafting something unique that holds greater value. These “crafted” items can become highly coveted if crafted with scarce materials.

Benefits for Developers: Customizable rarity appeals to players who want a personalized gaming experience, promoting a stronger player connection to the game and fostering a culture of self-expression.

The Role of Community in Valuing Rarity

Ultimately, the perception of an item’s value lies with the gaming community. While developers can design systems to promote rarity, community preferences and trading activity determine what becomes valuable and aspirational. To effectively merchandise rarity, developers should balance structured value (i.e., known benefits or features) with elements that allow the player community to shape value organically through gameplay, trading, and social interaction.

Final Thoughts

The rise of web3 gaming emphasizes the importance of diverse rarity mechanics. As players increasingly value ownership and customization, web3 offers developers new methods to build desirable and rare items. This list of rarity models offers a versatile toolkit that helps developers boost player engagement, retention, and marketplace activity, ultimately enhancing the game’s overall ecosystem.

As games evolve, developers who thoughtfully integrate rarity into gameplay will be well-positioned to engage the next generation of players, fostering loyalty, participation, and excitement in the gaming community.

Source: Sam Barberie