Cooperation is a common element that spans multiple game genres, from convergent cooperation in team-based game genres like MOBA, sports, or online fps to divergent cooperation in MMORPGs like raids, world bosses, or community goals, players will always bend together to accomplish something, usually to their benefit. Some case studies shed light on how certain game elements encourage cooperation by introducing objectives that encourages for forces players to work together, ultimately conditioning players to work together subconsciously.
The classic Left 4 Dead series shows some enforced cooperation, many enemies will target a single player and incapacitate them or separate them from the team. Players are encouraged to cooperate and save their teammates rather than run away due to the special enemies’ respawning natures, the more eyes watching your back, the less likely you will die from enemy attacks and enjoy more gameplay time as opposed to being dead and waiting for rescue. The unpleasant experience of waiting to be rescued and forced to watch others play the game and have fun will indirectly guide players to cooperate. The simplest yet fundamental objective of playing the game is a powerful one. In the L4D series, players can each pick up support items ranging from simple pipe bombs to high explosive ammo boxes that grant the whole team explosive attacks. However, the capacity is limited to one to prevent players from hogging all items and encourage strategic gameplay where the four-person team utilizes its resources to survive and thrive. By tying your objective of personal enjoyment to the action of your teammates, you are once again incentivized to cooperate, protect and care for them to maximize personal enjoyment
Collective Objective-Oriented Play
