View source for Shared Rewards

[[Category:Goal Patterns]]
[[Category:Patterns]]
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[[Category:Needs references]]
[[Category:To be Published]]
''Forced sharing of rewards between players.''

One part of the gameplay in most games is receiving rewards. When a reward needs to be split between more than one player, that reward becomes a [[Shared Rewards|Shared Reward]]. 

=== Examples ===
Winning is a [[Shared Rewards|Shared Reward]] in [[:Category:Co-Op Games|Co-Op Games]] such as [[Dead of Winter]], the [[Left 4 Dead series]], and [[Space Alert]]. Groups of player characters in [[:Category:Roleplaying Games|Roleplaying Games]] such as [[Dungeons & Dragons]] and [[GURPS]] often together defeat enemies, and then together need to share the rewards given for doing so.  [[Shared Rewards]] can be said to be given to groups exploring instances in [[World of Warcraft]] since they have to divide loot they receive, and only those in an instance can receive parts.

In [[Carcassonne]] one possible way to gain points is to finish building a town but all players that have the same claim to the town receive the same amount of points. 

== Using the pattern ==
If not already preset through the use of [[Teams]], etc., [[Shared Rewards]] can be designed around [[Collaborative Actions]] or the effects that apply to [[Factions]] or [[Social Organizations]]. They can also be designed to be a consequence of [[Tied Results]]. [[Negotiation]] and [[Player-Decided Distributions]] can be used to let players have a say in how the [[Rewards]] are distributed, and making the [[Rewards]] into [[Shared Resources]] can postpone such discussions until latter. 

Several patterns work against players having [[Shared Rewards]]. [[Conflicts]] and [[Excluding Goals]] among those with the [[Shared Rewards]] may interfere with their [[Cooperation]] or wish to share [[Rewards]] with the others. [[Individual Rewards]] are of course incompatible with [[Shared Rewards]] concerning the same [[Rewards|Reward]] but the availability of [[Individual Rewards]] can also lessen the wish to strive for [[Shared Rewards]]. Some [[Altruistic Actions]] may somewhat surprisingly work against [[Shared Rewards]] since they can allow for players for forsake their part of the [[Rewards]]. [[Tiebreakers]] can be used to modify games that otherwise would allow [[Shared Rewards]] for [[Tied Results]].

[[Shared Rewards]] work against the presence of [[Delayed Reciprocity]] since it either makes [[Rewards]] be shared at once or have distributions set out in advance.

== Consequences ==
Having [[Shared Rewards]] can form [[Mutual Goals]] between players, and is likely to cause [[Cooperation]] between them. It can also be the basis for [[Uncommitted Alliances]] or [[Teams]]. [[Shared Rewards]] can make both [[Alliances]] and [[Competition]] stronger, in the latter case by setting up the "problem" of having to share [[Rewards]] as a threat. They modify how players can claim [[Ownership]] of the [[Rewards]] and can become focus for possible [[Social Interaction]] between them. 

As [[Rewards]] given to several different players, [[Shared Rewards]] can serve to create a sense of [[Togetherness]] between them. This can also have [[Balancing Effects]] if the distribution by the system or players give the best [[Rewards]] to the weakest players. However, if the [[Rewards]] are not easy to split evenly, they may cause [[Social Dilemmas]] and some players may need to take on [[Social Roles]] handling this. This become most apparent when [[Uncommitted Alliances]] are given [[Shared Rewards]] due to [[Tied Results]] as the [[Rewards]] then become [[Player-Decided Distributions]].

== Relations ==
=== Can Instantiate ===
[[Balancing Effects]], 
[[Rewards]], 
[[Mutual Goals]], 
[[Social Dilemmas]], 
[[Social Roles]], 
[[Teams]], 
[[Togetherness]],  
[[Uncommitted Alliances]]

==== with [[Mutual Goals]] ====
[[Cooperation]]

==== with [[Tied Results]] and [[Uncommitted Alliances]] ====
[[Player-Decided Distributions]]

=== Can Modulate ===
[[Alliances]], 
[[Competition]], 
[[Ownership]], 
[[Social Interaction]], 
[[Social Organizations]], 

=== Can Be Instantiated By ===
[[Collaborative Actions]], 
[[Factions]], 
[[Tied Results]]

=== Can Be Modulated By ===
[[Negotiation]], 
[[Player-Decided Distributions]], 
[[Shared Resources]], 

=== Possible Closure Effects ===
-

=== Potentially Conflicting With ===
[[Altruistic Actions]], 
[[Conflicts]], 
[[Delayed Reciprocity]], 
[[Excluding Goals]], 
[[Individual Rewards]],
[[Tiebreakers]]

== History ==
An updated version of the pattern ''Shared Rewards'' that was part of the original collection in the book ''Patterns in Game Design''<ref name="Bjork & Holopainen 2004"/>.

== References ==
<references>
<ref name="Bjork & Holopainen 2004">Björk, S. & Holopainen, J. (2004) ''Patterns in Game Design''. Charles River Media. ISBN1-58450-354-8.</ref>
</references>

== Acknowledgements ==
-