General

Obstruction

Asymmetric friction against user-protective choices — hard-to-cancel, withdrawal friction, 'sludge'. Part of the coercive core.

Patterns in this family (4)

Asymmetric friction makes quitting, refunding, or disabling far harder than starting.

Making it hard to compare prices, odds, or options so players can't judge value.

The game charges to remove friction that the game itself introduced.

Easy entry and obstructed cancellation, with 'earned' value that expires if you stop paying or playing.