7 More Hidden Video Game Design Secrets That Are Total Genius

3. Damage Bonuses Ensure You Get A Kill First Round - Gears Of War

Ever been on the receiving end of a Gnasher Shotgun in Gears? Of course you have. The little buckshot-spitting twats are single-handedly responsible for many of us rage-quitting and going off to play Halo instead.

VERY interestingly though, the developers actually give every player who’s just starting out some substantial bonuses - like damage buffs - to guarantee they nail a kill on their first match of any game type.

Done because player data suggests 90% of people won’t continue to play if they don’t get at least one kill, this is a subtle, and yet not so subtle, way to encourage competition.