A lot of time has passed since Pac-Man and Space Invaders. Today video games are highly immersive, so that we not only play, but we can almost feel like we live in them. From Call of Duty to Fortnite, their graphics and stories captivate us, so that what was going to be a quick game turns into hours because it becomes increasingly difficult to tear yourself away from the screen.
The powerful addictive mix with which video games trap us
Our brain is programmed to crave instant gratification and remove any shadow of uncertainty. That is the main reason why video games are so addictive.
Many games intentionally include elements in their design designed to keep players hooked on the screen for as long as possible. The game’s interaction techniques, the sneaky tricks in the design that capture our attention and don’t let go, are the bread and butter of developers who want us to come back for more.
Every challenge overcome, every level left behind, floods the pleasure center of our brain with dopamine, also known as “the feel-good hormone.” Progression systems, whether leveling up, unlocking new skills, or winning a prize, generate a temporary, fleeting rush of excitement.
That feeling of euphoria that triggers instant gratification pushes us to want to repeat the experience. It’s the reason we return to the game again and again: our brain becomes dependent on those dopamine rushes and when we don’t have them, we can experience symptoms very similar to those of withdrawal, feeling irritable and moody.
The unpredictability of the prizes is the icing on the cake that closes that circle. Rewards in video games are unpredictable, so they generate a certain degree of uncertainty. But far from hating it, it is precisely that intermittent reinforcement, the possibility of achieving the reward at any time, that keeps us motivated, constantly looking for the next victory that makes us feel like true winners.
The secret weapon of video games so that we do not forget about them
On the other hand, video games make sure we always keep them in mind. We may forget our house keys or the password to access our email, but we surely won’t forget the game we’ve been immersed in lately.
Through mechanisms such as reward loops or even sending messages to activate the fear of missing out (FOMO), video games remain active in our minds thanks to a psychological phenomenon known as the Zeigarnik effect.
Basically, it refers to our propensity to remember unfinished or interrupted tasks, compared to those we have completed. When we come close to achieving something or passing a level, the unresolved nature of the task fuels a compulsion to persevere, encouraging us to play again.
For this reason, video game developers incorporate tasks and missions that require completing several stages, include intermittent rewards and strategic moments of tension that keep players interested and motivated for endless hours.
World of Warcraft, for example, employs a sophisticated quest system, some multi-part and long-lasting, that encourages players to come back for more. Candy Crush Saga also effectively exploits the Zeigarnik effect by including numerous short, engaging levels with increasing complexity, so that it is impossible to complete them on the first attempts, leaving the task unfinished and triggering the desire to complete these unfinished levels.
These types of psychological strategies keep the game active in our minds, like a pending task. The need to finish what we started and close the circle makes us come back for more, find it difficult to detach ourselves from the screen or even think about the game when we are in other contexts.
The social factor, playing with others creates a sense of community
More than 1.2 billion people around the world play games on their computers, cell phones, tablets, video game consoles and other devices, according to the United States National Academy of Medicine. Video game designers also take advantage of this social factor to conquer us and keep us glued to the screens.
From guilds to leaderboards, social features ensure that games allow you to connect with others (while showing off your skills, of course), indicate the experts.
Since we are playing with other people, we cannot pause the game. Our character can die in the first minute, but can also survive for a round of 20 or 30 minutes. And since we play as a team with our friends, quitting mid-game could make everyone lose. For many players, that is simply unthinkable.
This social dynamic generates a sense of community and belonging, so that we almost feel an obligation to improve our skills and contribute to the success of the group. That community atmosphere turns gaming from a solitary pastime into a fun, shared adventure that’s even more rewarding.
Without forgetting the desire for recognition and status within these virtual communities, a factor that can become a strong motivator to continue playing. We want to stand out and show what we are worth, something that we can only achieve with many hours of play.
Beyond entertainment
For a long time video games have been demonized and, while it is true that they have a potentially addictive component, their nature is dual like life itself. Its conception, design and mechanisms also cause a state of flow, so that we end up completely immersed and focused on the game.
This state of flow is not only highly rewarding and makes us lose track of time, but it can induce improvements in sustained and selective attention. In fact, studies have revealed that many players show a greater ability to concentrate and block out irrelevant stimuli.
Video games can also teach us an important lesson: perseverance pays off. If we work hard and keep trying, through various strategies, developing new skills and gaining experience, sooner rather than later we will reach our goal. For this reason, it is not surprising that researchers from Florida State University found that players tend to be more persistent in their goals.
In the same direction, psychologists from the Radboud University of Nijmegen found that players recognize that the dynamics of video games themselves help them better cope with stress and frustrations in their daily lives.
Therefore, video games are not an enemy but rather another recreational activity. They are a pastime that we can enjoy and use to feel better or even connect with people who share our hobbies, as long as we know how to dose them and do not fall into their traps to keep us hooked beyond what is healthy and advisable.
References:
Palaus, M. et. Al. (2017) Neural Basis of Video Gaming: A Systematic Review. Front. Hum. Neurosci.; 11: 10.3389.
Granic, I., Lobel, A., & Engels, R. C. M. E. (2014) The benefits of playing video games. American Psychologist; 69(1): 66–78.
Ventura, M. et. Al. (2013) The relationship between video game use and a performance-based measure of persistence. Computers & Education; 60(1): 52–58.
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