So, most of us have been playing video games since we were kids. Hence, many of us would assume that we have simply become “gamers”, and have gotten used to playing games. It is basically in our DNA now and we are conditioned to want to play games because we naturally enjoy them and it’s always been that way. However, it’s not all about preferences, interests, hobbies and enjoyment, there is something else to it, so let’s take a look.
First off, let’s start simple, video games have tons of audio and video STIMULATION, quick movements, bright images, sound effects, and direct engagement from the user (you usually need to be focused somewhat). This means, we are stimulating our brain with multiple audio/visual cues, that are quite intense, making it a great experience for our brain. Hard to compare this to reading a book, watching a regular YouTube video, or walking outside. Thus, this is why we have doctors recommending not to stick your new born child in front of any type of screen, BAD BAD BAD. BAD for the BABY. BAD.
Engagement. You have a direct influence in the outcome of the game, you are connected to it. If you are watching a movie or sports game, you can’t really do anything to change the outcome, you may just miss a few minutes if you go take a poop or grab some more snacks. However, if you take a break from a video game, especially an online one, you are likely to fall behind and not be able to come back to win, especially in a ranked game or online raid/mission. Hence, you have an invested interest in the outcome, and that makes the experience more meaningful and immersive.
THIRD. GAMBLING. The one that is probably most talked about, is the constant reward and variability of video games. And this one is directly connected to online gambling or any type of gambling for that matter. #1 ITEMS: Often times, they do on purpose to have the option to buy packs or specials that have randomized percentages of winning (basically gambling). #2 They’re are many random possibilities of items/loot (so you hope to win something, which is luck). #3 Even your teammates being good or bad, is a variable component (also, a gamble). And lots of games, even board games, have a portion that is randomized, but online video games take it to a whole other level. It’s completely toxic, because they have juiced it up on steroids and have it everywhere. So this is called a VARIABLE RATIO of reinforcement (meaning you may get it a lot sometimes, and not all for a while, it’s variable, you don’t know what may happen and that’s what makes it more addictive, they have done this with pigeons and they will peck at an object until their face falls off to get another treat, even if they failed 50 times in a row, they know they might get that juicy nut on the 51st). It’s that much more enticing, and this is proven in testing with animals, including humans.
FAKE PRODUCTIVITY/ADVANCEMENT. This one really cut’s the cake and reign’s supreme. The motherload of turd sandwiches and all bullshits combined. Gaining virtual funds/experience/gold/rank points, in a virtual world held together by numbers/code and pretty drawings, but none of it actually translates to real life. So why do we keep doing it? Our BRAIN thinks it’s great because we are getting boosts of dopamine (rewards) and stress/adrenaline hormones followed by a seemingly “concrete” outcome of success, but it’s being tricked. Unlucky. Bad brain. Fail. Stupid brain.
In fact, what does translate to real life though, is getting no sleep, looking and feeling like shit, failing class, calling in sick to work, not eating, procrastinating, feeling like you just got through a bender, and having emotions of guilt, failure and frustration, and so on. You get the point, you’ve been there. It sucks. Don’t get me wrong, if you want to make a career out of it and are ready to go pro, feel free to shoot your shot, go for it, I wish you luck. But for the rest of us 97%, what’s our goal from gaming? Are you doing this to relax at the end of the day, or are you trying to become a pro? Think about it, it shouldn’t take too long. So back to the façade of fake productivity. They have tracking systems for every point, experience level, rank, win, kill, assist, name it, they’ll track it. So what is this mean really and why is it important? They want you to think you are gaining something and making progress, that you can see. Hell, they are open to you seeing progress in 1000 ways. You are getting constant reinforcement that what you are doing is improving/increasing/good in some way, there is some sort of “growth” happening. And unfortunately, humans are wired for this. We are not as smart as we think we are, and we can be tricked quite easily. There are many layers, but to simplify it, you can choose to see it as a survival mechanism, wired to compete with others to survive, gather goods to eat/live, and sometimes take risks to win. You know, hunter-gatherers. Ya it goes way back, parts of our brains have been the same for millions of years (yes, millions, google the reptilian brain). Anyways, all this to say that it’s having the opposite effect, you are not actually gaining anything (land, more food, or beating a rival to gain something you can leverage in the future). This constant reinforcement also creates stronger neuropathways which leads to these life changing habits.
There are many components that make gaming addictive, these are just a few. I’ll try to post some more in the future.
All the best. J
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