Why Open Weapons and Gadget Incentives are Good, Actually: An Anecdote

So two weeks ago, I was playing Best of 2042.

I wanted to get a G36/B36 skin with a neat Fusion Holo.

In order to do that, I had to get 80 ribbons. Rush gave you two.

In the span of a single night, I put an XM8 LMG on three classes: Assault, Support, and Engineer, and went to work.

I knew killing people and capping objectives weren't always guaranteed. But I knew Zain could let me stay in the fight longer and blow up people with his nade launcher; I knew Paik had the Omni-Spot; and I knew Angel had the super supply/medcrates.

I revived, I spotted, and I PTFO'd. I normally don't, because I love getting lost in the chaos and killing people in large groups. Winning and losing via teamplay meant little to me.

And I put the XM8 in three classes because I wanted to get the 75-round mag unlocked at the same time.

My personal achievement is what made me lock in and use the same gun and try three different classes.

I spotted. I revived. I dropped boxes everywhere.

I didn't need teammates screaming in my ear; I had a personal mission - unlock the skin and fusion holo.

And I did, by midnight.

You see, this is what an open weapons, gadget-focused approach can do. I don't think I could've gotten this far had I restricted myself with locked weapons.

Give good personal incentives for individual contribution, and they'll play any role they can. Ribbons, more XP, etc. You are asking, not demanding them for help. Make them feel special for contributing - not everyone will agree to.