---
title: "Unlock Features"
created: "2026-07-02"
updated: "2026-07-02"
type: "concept"
status: "compiled"
category: "ui-patterns"
namespace: "ui-patterns"
source_url: "https://ui-patterns.com/patterns/Unlock-features"
source_site: "UI Patterns"
source_copyright_note: "Source site footer says All rights reserved; this page is a catalog pointer, not a republication."
source_path: "/patterns/Unlock-features"
source_slug: "Unlock-features"
track: "Persuasive Design Patterns"
group: "Game mechanics"
subgroup: "Gameplay rewards"
section_headings:
  - "Problem summary"
  - "Example"
  - "Usage"
  - "Solution"
  - "Example: Karma points at Hacker News"
  - "Other ways of quantifying the criteria for unlocking features"
  - "Rationale"
  - "Discussion"
  - "Gaming the system"
  - "Drowning out new users"
  - "Acclimation to rewards"
  - "The end of the road"
example_count: 3
retrieved_at: "2026-07-02T18:23:09+00:00"
confidence: "medium"
---
# Unlock Features

> Catalog pointer for the UI Patterns source page: [Unlock Features](https://ui-patterns.com/patterns/Unlock-features).

## Taxonomy

- Track: Persuasive Design Patterns
- Group: Game mechanics
- Subgroup: Gameplay rewards
- Source breadcrumb: Design Patterns > Game mechanics > Gameplay rewards > Unlock Features

## Source Page Inventory

- Source URL: https://ui-patterns.com/patterns/Unlock-features
- Page title: Unlock Features design pattern
- Section headings available at source: Problem summary, Example, Usage, Solution, Example: Karma points at Hacker News, Other ways of quantifying the criteria for unlocking features, Rationale, Discussion, Gaming the system, Drowning out new users, Acclimation to rewards, The end of the road
- Example screenshots detected at source: 3
- Primary example image detected: yes

## Retrieval Notes

Use this page as a routing handle, then open the source URL when you need the full pattern explanation, screenshot examples, or exact wording. For public Pixi Wiki use, prefer paraphrased design implications over long source quotes.

Useful retrieval frame:

- Ask what user behavior or interface decision this pattern is meant to shape.
- Check the source page sections before prescribing it; many pages distinguish usage, solution, rationale, and examples.
- Compare nearby patterns in the same subgroup before choosing one.
- Cite this catalog page plus the source URL when using the pattern in design review.

## Source Shape

- Problem summary: 17 words on source page
- Example: 82 words on source page
- Usage: 55 words on source page
- Solution: 538 words on source page
- Example: Karma points at Hacker News: 131 words on source page
- Other ways of quantifying the criteria for unlocking features: 95 words on source page
- Rationale: 197 words on source page
- Discussion: 591 words on source page
- Gaming the system: 94 words on source page
- Drowning out new users: 69 words on source page
- Acclimation to rewards: 114 words on source page
- The end of the road: 120 words on source page

## Source Navigation

- Previous source navigation: Value Attribution
- Next source navigation: Trigger