---
key: mechanic/engagement-retention--family-12
type: mechanic
id: engagement-retention--family-12
lang: en
title: Competition and recognition
summary: >-
  Results, records and recognition create additional goals. Players see progress
  relative to others or their earlier performance.
updatedAt: '2026-10-22'
status: active
url: >-
  https://gamemechanics.pro/en/knowledge/mechanic/engagement-retention--family-12/
jsonUrl: >-
  https://gamemechanics.pro/api/v1/knowledge/en/mechanic/engagement-retention--family-12.json
markdownUrl: >-
  https://gamemechanics.pro/content/knowledge/en/mechanic/engagement-retention--family-12.md
aliases: []
tags:
  - 'Engagement, retention and addictive patterns'
  - Mechanics catalog
sourceIds:
  - source-ae707dbe7c015c52
sources:
  - id: source-ae707dbe7c015c52
    title: Pro Gymnast
    url: 'https://www.walaber.com/pro-gymnast'
    verifiedAt: null
relations: []
placements:
  - catalogId: engagement-retention
    id: family-12
    title: 'Engagement, retention and addictive patterns'
    url: 'https://gamemechanics.pro/en/mechanics/engagement-retention/#family-12'
    categoryIds:
      - section-1
supersededBy: []
attributes:
  preview:
    updatedAt: '2026-10-22'
    title: Competition and recognition
    description: >-
      Results, records and recognition create additional goals. Players see
      progress relative to others or their earlier performance.
    image:
      src: images/mechanics/general-pro-gymnast-00.webp
      width: 1440
      height: 810
      game: Pro Gymnast
      sourceUrl: 'https://www.walaber.com/pro-gymnast'
      originalUrl: >-
        https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/592a42752994ca7baf9f9b41/1598572727016-HQW3PDUQD2MHJ2UVS3XE/gymnast_launch_screen_trajectory.jpg
      credit: Walaber Entertainment
      rights: >-
        © Walaber Entertainment. Screenshot published by the developer; all
        rights reserved. Excluded from MIT and CC BY 4.0.
      caption: A gymnast chooses when to release a support
      alt: A gymnast chooses when to release a support
      markers:
        - x: 42
          'y': 68
          label: The grip holds the gymnast to the support
        - x: 84
          'y': 8
          label: A score counter displays the evaluated result
    tips:
      - Allow choice of comparison group and opting out of public rankings.
    examples:
      - title: Pro Gymnast
        url: 'https://www.walaber.com/pro-gymnast'
endsAt: null
provenance: >-
  Original editorial design catalog consolidated from project discussions on
  2026-10-20. Complete discussion item lists and contextual limitations are
  preserved; linked primary sources support specific techniques, not the entire
  classification. English translation was prepared with machine assistance and
  editorial review.
license: CC-BY-4.0
codeLicense: MIT
attribution: gamemechanics.pro contributors
catalogKey: catalog/engagement-retention
---
# Competition and recognition

id: engagement-retention--family-12
type: mechanic
key: mechanic/engagement-retention--family-12
lang: en
status: active
url: https://gamemechanics.pro/en/knowledge/mechanic/engagement-retention--family-12/

Results, records and recognition create additional goals. Players see progress relative to others or their earlier performance.

## At a glance

![A gymnast chooses when to release a support](https://gamemechanics.pro/images/mechanics/general-pro-gymnast-00.webp)

[Pro Gymnast](https://www.walaber.com/pro-gymnast) · © Walaber Entertainment. Screenshot published by the developer; all rights reserved. Excluded from MIT and CC BY 4.0.

1. The grip holds the gymnast to the support
2. A score counter displays the evaluated result

- Allow choice of comparison group and opting out of public rankings.

- [Pro Gymnast](https://www.walaber.com/pro-gymnast)

## How it works

Comparing performance and recognizing achievements create competitive and social goals.

## Variants

### Variants and applications

<a id="family-12-variants"></a>

- Rating ladder: there is always a next position <a id="variant-engagement-retention-12-01"></a>
- Leagues and divisions: the transition between them creates noticeable boundaries <a id="variant-engagement-retention-12-02"></a>
- Leaderboards: The result gets a position relative to others <a id="variant-engagement-retention-12-03"></a>
- Comparison with friends: a familiar opponent makes the goal more specific <a id="variant-engagement-retention-12-04"></a>
- Revenge: defeat leaves a desire to change the outcome <a id="variant-engagement-retention-12-05"></a>
- Streaks of victories and records: current success becomes an independent value <a id="variant-engagement-retention-12-06"></a>
- Public status symbols: titles, frames, badges and rare items show achievements <a id="variant-engagement-retention-12-07"></a>
- Seasonal competition: a new period creates a new race and an opportunity to reconsider your position <a id="variant-engagement-retention-12-08"></a>

## Context and limits

A map of 160 techniques for analyzing interest, returns, costs and pressure on the player. Involvement in itself does not mean dependence; the presence of separate mechanics does not determine the diagnosis or prove causation. This is the author's classification for critical analysis of design, and not a scientifically established list of the causes of gaming disorder. Assess context, audience, voluntariness of participation, and opportunity to stop.

## Connected materials


## Sources and provenance

Original editorial design catalog consolidated from project discussions on 2026-10-20. Complete discussion item lists and contextual limitations are preserved; linked primary sources support specific techniques, not the entire classification. English translation was prepared with machine assistance and editorial review.

- [Pro Gymnast](https://www.walaber.com/pro-gymnast) (id: source-ae707dbe7c015c52)

CC-BY-4.0 · gamemechanics.pro contributors