The digital world of the 21st century has certainly amplified the interest in games thanks to instant access and global reach through the internet and technological advances, but games have always been present in human civilisations. The modern world now has many different ways to engage in games, whether it be traditional board games or all-encompassing modern VR worlds. Much of the time, games are used for entertainment, but there may be some other reasons why we humans love playing games so much. Understanding just what drives humans to play games reveals the fascinating psychology behind games and the impact they have on people. But just why are games so compelling to us?
The Reward System
Probably the greatest driver behind the thrill and excitement that players feel when they play games is the psychological effect on the brain in response to reward. Whether you are completing a hard mission in a single-player game, winning the top prize in a casino game or finding rare loot in an MMORPG, the celebration from the satisfaction of these wins is what keeps us coming back for more. This is because the brain releases dopamine, the transmitter associated with pleasure and happiness, when things like this happen in games. This means that when you beat that difficult level, you will get a strong sense of satisfaction. Or if you win big on the slots and take home the prize pot, then you are automatically commencing the ‘reward loop’. These victories leave you feeling good, and players tend to return to the games because of this. For games such as online shooters, you might come back to complete daily and weekly quests. For slots, it's not just the impressive user interfaces and classic gameplay that many return to playing australian online pokies for, but the real cash wins offer the allure.
Game designers carefully construct games to keep the brains of players engaged. Short-term rewards combine with long-term goals to ensure that players are always chasing that reward hit.
Sense Of Achievement And Mastering Desire
Humans are inquisitive creatures. We strive to learn new things and improve on the skills we have already learned a lot of the time. This places gaming in a great position when considering a framework for progression. Often, games are built around tiered systems where you start easier, and things get harder, which is highly appealing. This sort of levelling up system not only offers clear objectives and a pathway by which you can grow or improve. It also provides instant feedback, which, when positive, is encouraging. Often, gaming spaces allow you to reflect on past challenges, and some games measure your progress throughout, which means you can see improvement in real time.
Games provide a fast track for this sense of achievement, which can often be slow and arduous in real-life situations. The simulations in these games make progress visible and success tangible, thus providing a platform for fulfilment and enjoyment.
This same sense of measuring achievement is put to a maximum with respect to those who enjoy mastering things. There are many players nowadays who look to ‘Platinum’ games. Which essentially means complete the game to a 100% level. They will not stop in their tracks until this is done. Whether it be gaining all the collectibles or completing every level on the hardest difficulty, players who aim to platinum games have this strong desire to master them, an allure within games that real life doesn’t quite offer.
Escapism
Studies show that 77% of people who play games do so to reduce stress and use it as an effective coping mechanism away from the daily woes of life. Games are perfect for entering other worlds that you simply would never normally be exposed to. Whether it is fantasy realms, warfare combat, or historical landscapes, games provide a place or a platform to escape from real life. Acting as a temporary distraction from daily stress and relaxation after a long day at work or with the family, games' immersive worlds provide not only a sense of control in other environments but also an ability to explore other worlds to improve mood and reduce stress. Just like how reading novels can encapsulate the imagination, so too can games.
Whilst some gamers love the explosive nature of shooters and reenactment of warfare for this relaxation, others seek comfort through simulators such as Animal Crossing or Farmville.
A Sense Of Belonging
Humans rely on social interactions to maintain happiness. Without this, the world can be a very lonely place. In an age where everything is becoming digital and these in-person social occasions seem to be becoming less common, games provide a brilliant platform for connection with other people. In some cases, there has been a drop of 45% in real-life social interactions.
Multiplayer games often provide options to join guilds, squads, and cooperative missions to share the experience with others and work alongside others for the purpose of a shared goal. This strengthens social ties and allows those who may otherwise struggle to connect with others to seek human interaction, virtually. This community aspect means there are opportunities to make friends and validate yourself through different rankings or performance.
Inconsequential Exploration And Self-Expression
Exploring new environments and embracing things without consequence is really important for some people. This can often be hard to achieve in real life, but it is easy in games. Many games are designed purely for this inconsequential exploration. Games that have massive open-world maps are meant for players to explore, be curious, and embrace their inner child. Something that is often suppressed in adulthood. Discovering hidden secrets in the very far corners of these maps, side quests that take you to places in the game you have never been, or just aimlessly wandering in awe at the graphics of many games, is a brilliant way for some to use games in a way that aids them beyond the limits that real life would offer.
This level of detachment from real life can also be something that is helpful when it comes to self-expression. Customizing avatars or characters can be a way for some gamers to reflect identity in a world that is detached from the societal pressures and norms imposed on many. You can live alternate lives, experiment with different roles, and express your individuality through the customization of characters and the expression of identity.
