There has been a lot of talk of “utility” over the last couple of years. At Tibles, we do a lot of research on the psychology of collecting and digital ownership and have been wary about adding “extrinsic” utility to the intrinsic utility built into our collecting-focused experience. Why? Because adding utility to a collectible risks reducing its value through the overjustification effect: external incentives (utility/purpose) can decrease a person’s intrinsic motivation to collect or own an object.
But utility associated with being a collector, and being part of a community, can reinforce intrinsic motivations and enhance the joys of collecting.
That’s how we think about the Tibles token—it is a vehicle for utility. Collectors are intrinsically motivated to collect and are rewarded with tokens that can be used to improve their experience.
Examples of utility include:
- Pack discounts: Redeem tokens to offset the price of packs.
- Trading: Add tokens to sweeten a barter-style trade.
- Crafting: Craftible ingredients or fees to accelerate crafting.
- Tipping: Collectors rewarding each other.
- VIP program: Special access, rewards, and recognition.