10 Secret Ways Video Games Play YOU

9. Gears Of War Multiplayer Gives First-Time Players Health & Damage Boosts

It's probably reasonable to expect behind-the-scenes tinkering to be kept to a relative minimum where multiplayer games are concerned, if only to ensure there's a consistent, level playing field between players.

Except, that's not really the case at all, at least if the Gears of War franchise is any indication.

In an unfortunately now-deleted tweet, former Lead Designer on the series Lee Perry said, "In Gears, found out 90% of first time players don't play a second multiplayer match if they don't get a kill. That first game's important."

He then followed up with, "So we started you off with some major advantages (like additional damage bonuses) that tapered off with your first few kills."

While some might be exasperated that other players are running around with buffs, at least it's only for a few kills, and let's be honest, when you're starting out, that's probably fair enough.

And as a way to combat the basic psychology of losers quitting by dangling the carrot of victory in front of new players' faces, it's actually really freaking smart. Not great for competitive play, though.