Osprey
11-25-2012, 04:09 PM
The most addictive video games have no pre- defined ends. This is one of the central features of a MMORPG, but it is also becoming true for many other
genres as well. The most addictive video games have
no ultimate goal or point at which a player can say "I'm
finished. I have completed every quest - there is
nothing new to discover". As such, there is never the experience of "Game Over" - a point which signifies the natural end to a game. 2 Addictive video games feed a need of making social connections. While video games used to be solitary activities, today's games encourage, and in many
ways, require that players interact socially with each other - which feeds the universal human need for interpersonal connections. Interestingly, these
connections can come at the expense of real-world
relationships. 3 Video games are more addictive when in-game rewards are based on a leveling system. When starting a new video game a player's character begins
with very basic attributes with regard to experience,
strength, intelligence, courage, powers, etc. Initially, it
takes very little play (perhaps minutes) to reach the
next level and gain new skills - this is immediately
rewarding and reinforces continued play. However, each successive level begins to take more play time to
reach - eventually taking weeks or months to level-up.
By this time however, the gamer has gradually
adapted and accepted the greater effort required to
reach the next level. Imagine if the very first levels
(e.g., from Level 1 to Level 2) took 1 month rather than several minutes - how many players would find this
rewarding enough to continue? 4 The more addictive video games often encourage play and collaboration with gamers worldwide. This is true of online multiplayer video games in general.
The fact that two users on opposite sides of the world
can interact and join together in a common quest adds
to the excitement and exploratory nature of modern
games. 5 Addictive video games often have some form of in- game currency. The same goals and emotions which drive people to pursue wealth in the real world are
also present in video games. As one amasses more
virtual wealth (by spending more time playing and
completing tasks), the virtual wealth translates into
greater power, control, respect, influence, status, and
purchasing power - which are obviously very seductive pursuits. 6 It is easier to view video games as harmless online activities. Whereas there is far greater awareness of the dangers of alcohol abuse or gambling addiction,
online gaming is generally seen as harmless hobby. Is
it less harmful than alcohol addiction? Absolutely. Can
most people play without becoming addicted? Sure.
However, because of this it is also more difficult for
players to recognize when they have a problem. 7 One important factor that makes video games addictive is that rewards often are set on variable schedules. It has been consistently demonstrated in psychological research that variable ratio (reinforced after an average number of attempts) or variable interval schedules (reinforced after an average time period has elapsed) produces a steady rate of
responding and which is far more difficult to
extinguish (e.g., slot machines use variable ratio
schedules to encourage maximum play time). In an
addictive video game, a player may be rewarded on
average for every five (for example) tasks completed. Sometimes it will take only one try while other times
it may take 15 - the player never really knows how
long it will take before the big reward comes - but he
knows that if he plays long enough it will come
eventually. This type of reward schedule encourages
longer periods of play even in the absence of rewards. For a more detailed analysis of the ways people
respond to different patterns of in-game rewards, see
the article Behavioral Game Design. 8 Addictive video games often require team play to advance. A player starting a new game will initially be able accomplish goals by him/herself. However, before
long significant advancement in the game requires
that he/she join a group and accomplish goals
together. The player will come to feel a connection to
the team and responsible for advancing their gaming
goals. Therefore, the player will want to advance his character even more so that he can make a greater
contribution to the team. In fact, if he does not keep up
with his team he may not even be able to join in on
certain quests or travel to parts of the world requiring
a more advanced character. Finally, since many tasks
can only be accomplished in a group, the player will be want to be online whenever his teammates are
playing (which translates into more total hours online).
The team component is clearly a very important factor
in why certain video games are addictive. 9 The virtual world of addictive video games continues to evolve even if the player is not online. Therefore, if you are not playing and active in the
developments of the world, you are potentially left
behind when you rejoin. To avoid "missing" something
you must play as much as possible. 10 Companies regularly release upgrades or expansion packs. Even if players start to get bored of the online worlds their characters inhabit, video game expansion
packs can always add new areas for exploration, new
abilities to try, new tasks to complete, and new
characters to develop. 11 Top video game players or teams can earn real world rewards (e.g., tournaments for cash prizes). This can be extremely motivating and can encourage
massive amounts of time to hone and develop skills
(the equivalent of an athlete training for the Olympics). 12 Addictive video games do not reward short and unscheduled periods of play. Games that are very addictive require long-term commitments (months or
years) of regular gaming sessions lasting at least an
hour or more. MMOs, real time strategy games, and
many first person shooters appeal to the hard core
gamer who invests a significant portion of his free
time to the experience. Due to the great investment (e.g., months developing a character) it becomes very
hard to "throw away" all the work and uninstall the
game. 13 Addictive video games may allow the player to immerse him/herself in a fully realized virtual world. You can create your own character with attributes you wish you had in real life. You form
relationships, develop a career, and accomplish things
that would be impossible (or require far more effort) in
the real world. Video games may offer an escape from the reality of the physical world and into a digital universe where players can assume any identity they
desire. 14 Some video games require monthly fees. In order to play gamers must pay $15 - $20 per month even after
the game has been purchased. Of course, the fact that
there is a regular monthly charge encourages users to
play more so that they "get their money's worth". 15 Video games can generate strong emotions in players. Because the world and the online experience is mostly user generated, gamers can experience wars,
betrayal, friendship, romance, marriages, funerals, etc.
The variety and intensity of emotions experienced
online can be similar to emotions experienced in the
real world.
genres as well. The most addictive video games have
no ultimate goal or point at which a player can say "I'm
finished. I have completed every quest - there is
nothing new to discover". As such, there is never the experience of "Game Over" - a point which signifies the natural end to a game. 2 Addictive video games feed a need of making social connections. While video games used to be solitary activities, today's games encourage, and in many
ways, require that players interact socially with each other - which feeds the universal human need for interpersonal connections. Interestingly, these
connections can come at the expense of real-world
relationships. 3 Video games are more addictive when in-game rewards are based on a leveling system. When starting a new video game a player's character begins
with very basic attributes with regard to experience,
strength, intelligence, courage, powers, etc. Initially, it
takes very little play (perhaps minutes) to reach the
next level and gain new skills - this is immediately
rewarding and reinforces continued play. However, each successive level begins to take more play time to
reach - eventually taking weeks or months to level-up.
By this time however, the gamer has gradually
adapted and accepted the greater effort required to
reach the next level. Imagine if the very first levels
(e.g., from Level 1 to Level 2) took 1 month rather than several minutes - how many players would find this
rewarding enough to continue? 4 The more addictive video games often encourage play and collaboration with gamers worldwide. This is true of online multiplayer video games in general.
The fact that two users on opposite sides of the world
can interact and join together in a common quest adds
to the excitement and exploratory nature of modern
games. 5 Addictive video games often have some form of in- game currency. The same goals and emotions which drive people to pursue wealth in the real world are
also present in video games. As one amasses more
virtual wealth (by spending more time playing and
completing tasks), the virtual wealth translates into
greater power, control, respect, influence, status, and
purchasing power - which are obviously very seductive pursuits. 6 It is easier to view video games as harmless online activities. Whereas there is far greater awareness of the dangers of alcohol abuse or gambling addiction,
online gaming is generally seen as harmless hobby. Is
it less harmful than alcohol addiction? Absolutely. Can
most people play without becoming addicted? Sure.
However, because of this it is also more difficult for
players to recognize when they have a problem. 7 One important factor that makes video games addictive is that rewards often are set on variable schedules. It has been consistently demonstrated in psychological research that variable ratio (reinforced after an average number of attempts) or variable interval schedules (reinforced after an average time period has elapsed) produces a steady rate of
responding and which is far more difficult to
extinguish (e.g., slot machines use variable ratio
schedules to encourage maximum play time). In an
addictive video game, a player may be rewarded on
average for every five (for example) tasks completed. Sometimes it will take only one try while other times
it may take 15 - the player never really knows how
long it will take before the big reward comes - but he
knows that if he plays long enough it will come
eventually. This type of reward schedule encourages
longer periods of play even in the absence of rewards. For a more detailed analysis of the ways people
respond to different patterns of in-game rewards, see
the article Behavioral Game Design. 8 Addictive video games often require team play to advance. A player starting a new game will initially be able accomplish goals by him/herself. However, before
long significant advancement in the game requires
that he/she join a group and accomplish goals
together. The player will come to feel a connection to
the team and responsible for advancing their gaming
goals. Therefore, the player will want to advance his character even more so that he can make a greater
contribution to the team. In fact, if he does not keep up
with his team he may not even be able to join in on
certain quests or travel to parts of the world requiring
a more advanced character. Finally, since many tasks
can only be accomplished in a group, the player will be want to be online whenever his teammates are
playing (which translates into more total hours online).
The team component is clearly a very important factor
in why certain video games are addictive. 9 The virtual world of addictive video games continues to evolve even if the player is not online. Therefore, if you are not playing and active in the
developments of the world, you are potentially left
behind when you rejoin. To avoid "missing" something
you must play as much as possible. 10 Companies regularly release upgrades or expansion packs. Even if players start to get bored of the online worlds their characters inhabit, video game expansion
packs can always add new areas for exploration, new
abilities to try, new tasks to complete, and new
characters to develop. 11 Top video game players or teams can earn real world rewards (e.g., tournaments for cash prizes). This can be extremely motivating and can encourage
massive amounts of time to hone and develop skills
(the equivalent of an athlete training for the Olympics). 12 Addictive video games do not reward short and unscheduled periods of play. Games that are very addictive require long-term commitments (months or
years) of regular gaming sessions lasting at least an
hour or more. MMOs, real time strategy games, and
many first person shooters appeal to the hard core
gamer who invests a significant portion of his free
time to the experience. Due to the great investment (e.g., months developing a character) it becomes very
hard to "throw away" all the work and uninstall the
game. 13 Addictive video games may allow the player to immerse him/herself in a fully realized virtual world. You can create your own character with attributes you wish you had in real life. You form
relationships, develop a career, and accomplish things
that would be impossible (or require far more effort) in
the real world. Video games may offer an escape from the reality of the physical world and into a digital universe where players can assume any identity they
desire. 14 Some video games require monthly fees. In order to play gamers must pay $15 - $20 per month even after
the game has been purchased. Of course, the fact that
there is a regular monthly charge encourages users to
play more so that they "get their money's worth". 15 Video games can generate strong emotions in players. Because the world and the online experience is mostly user generated, gamers can experience wars,
betrayal, friendship, romance, marriages, funerals, etc.
The variety and intensity of emotions experienced
online can be similar to emotions experienced in the
real world.