History Main / SocializationBonus

* Some ''TeamFortress2'' achievements (particularly the Medic achievements required for the [[InfinityPlusOneSword Infinity Plus One Bonesaw]], before the requirements got lowered) require the use of {{Steam}}'s not-entirely-intuitive Friends list.

* With the SpotPass and StreetPass features of the 3DS, Nintendo has integrated this trope into a system itself rather than a game.

* KingdomHearts358DaysOver2 has Mission Mode, which lets you replay completed missions from Story Mode in order to gain Mission Crowns, which can be redeemed for bonuses from the Moogle. In the Japanese version, Mission Mode can only be accessed in multiplayer format, while the American version is more liberal, enabling you to play Mission Mode either with friends or by yourself, though the enemy stats are boosted regardless, making it NintendoHard. Still, you do get EXP even if you fail, so you can keep trying until you're strong enough to win. Playing Mission Mode is the only way to obtain the maximum number of inventory slots available, and it is the only feasible way to reach Lv. 100, as the gaps between levels are so wide at the end of the game that playing without level multipliers (some of which are only available in Mission Mode) would qualify as a LowLevelRun.
** It's actully possible to play the Japanese version's mission mode solo. At the screen showing what players have joined the game, it's possible to advance without anyone joining the game running it solo. The english version just puts solo beind it's own menu.

Supremely annoying if no access is possible due to location, you're replaying an older game that isn't in sync with whatever is popular these days, or you simply don't have any friends. In this case, you might have to buy multiple copies and play with family, or give them as gifts.

* In ''{{Boktai}}'', the Azure Tower contain the strongest of each type of Gun Frame, but you can only get ones that you have the proper seal for, with there being six total (for each of the elements in the game). With one cartridge you're only given the Darkness seal in the NewGamePlus and one random one when you enter the tower. The rest you need to get by linking to someone else.

** There are also [[BonusDungeon Hobopolis and the Slimetube]] which require you to be in a Clan in order to play in them, and while it is possible to get the best rewards in Slimetube [[AvertedTrope by yourself]] You'll want a team of 6 people in order to find the best items in Hobopolis

* Some ''TeamFortress2'' achievements (particularly the Medic achievements required for the [[InfinityPlusOneSword Infinity Plus One Bonesaw]], before the requirements got lowered) require the use of Steam's not-entirely-intuitive Friends list.
** Then there's the achievement for playing a game with seven people on your Steam Friends list... I don't even have seven friends in the whole world, let alone on Steam!

* In the [[NewSuperMarioBrosWii newer]] {{Wii}} [[DonkeyKongCountryReturns platformers]], if all but one player die, they can be resurrected by the one still standing. Makes beating some levels [[GameBreaker MUCH easier]], [[NintendoHard and maybe even necessary]].

** Hilariously, two aspects of ''[[TheLegendOfZeldaALinkToThePast A Link to the Past]]'' cannot be ''accessed'' without first completing ''The Four Swords''. The first being the quizlike series of [[FetchQuest Fed-ex quests]] to receive an upgraded spin attack, and the second being [[BonusDungeon the Palace of the Four Swords]]. [[spoiler:Well, at least said palace was accessible and completable by exploiting a glitch that was present in the original SNES ''ALttP'', but don't tell Nintendo that.]]

* Crafting in KingdomOfLoathing. The best foods are Hi Meins. To make them you need the level 15 skills of three clases: Seal Clubber's Pulverize AND access to the Malus of Forethought to make elemental nuggets, used with Sauceror's Way of Sauce to make element and Sour sauces, and Pastamancer's Transcendant Noodlecraft and Wok of Ages to put that sauce on MSG and Noodles to make Element Hi Meins. It is easiest to do this through cooperation, although you can do it alone if you ascend as a Pastamancer with the other two skills.
** You can't do it alone. Only Muscle Class characters with Pulverize can use the Malus, while only Mysticality characters with Transcendental Noodlecraft can use the Wok. A Pastamancer can buy the sauces off the mall, though.
** It is possible to do it solo. You just have to be willing to sacrifice quite a lot of mid-range or better equipment along the way. See the [[http://kol.coldfront.net/thekolwiki/index.php/Pulverize Pulverize results chart]].
** Actually, a Level 9+ Accordion Thief can sneak into the Brotherhood of the Smackdown and League of Chef-Magi, using bother the Malus/Wok and their item shop.

* XBox Live and Windows Live have now engineered this into standard marketing procedure. By assigning for gamers their own arbitrary interpretation of 'achievements' and providing faux-community for the sole purpose of airing bragging rights, they've created social value out of what used to be its own reward; finishing the game and it's challenges. The old 'For Gamers By Gamers' has been replaced with 'Our Committee Will Determine What is Good for Gamers'.

** Another example from Pokemon is the original Mystery Gift, which rewarded players with random items(usually decorations).
*** Or mail. Always Natu mail.

* Most of the Story Mode levels of ''{{LittleBigPlanet}}'' have multiplayer areas with items that cannot be gained playing alone. Usually, they're either stickers that trigger a switch in a later level, or costume items, though the prizes could be anything. Up until about The Islands, these areas only require two players. The Wilderness, on the other hand, has several ''Four'' Player Areas to deal with, and two levels of the ''Pirates of the Caribbean'' level pack also require multiplayer for HundredPercentCompletion. Fortunately, online multiplayer is a big selling point, so if you can get a few Playstation Network friends to join you (or click the "Play Online" button for a level), this isn't as hard. Getting everyone to cooperate though... Also, acing a level in multiplayer is nigh impossible, so just go for level aces on your own.

* The Camraderie stat in ''MetalGearSolis: Peace Walker''.

* The Camraderie stat in ''MetalGearSoli: Peace Walker''.