Catch-Up Mechanics

Systems that help players who are behind, in level, gear, or rank, close the gap with more advanced players without negating the progress of those ahead.

In games, this means

Mario Kart's item distribution (worse items to leaders, better items to trailers) is a catch-up mechanic. In MMOs, account-wide boosts and catch-up gear seasons serve the same function. The UX challenge is implementing catch-up without making leading players feel their progress was devalued or trailing players feel condescended to.