Engineering addiction: carrots, sticks, and escapism

[Zeiris]

Once you get past the pretty pictures (ooo dolphins blowing bubble rings!) this article contains excellent points, and interesting links.

http://www.cracked.com/article_18461_5-creepy-ways-video-games-are-trying-to-get-you-addicted.html

Most of it is hardly surprising to someone that's played an MMO before, but it does put in words what was probably just a nagging feeling in the back of your mind. And as a result, it brings to light questions.


Where do you draw the line between hobby and addiction? How do you rationalize your hobby as not being an addiction? I thought I could answer, but this article made me re-think my answers...


It is clear that video games can have negative effects, and some combinations of game mechanics are far more likely to do so than others. Is this a temporary growing pain, that will get smoothed out by market forces? Will public awareness eventually weed out the bad ones, as the good ones become accepted as normal hobbies? Or will the race for profits out pace common sense, creating a need for "Winners Don't Play MMOs" campaigns or even China-like crackdowns on harmful gaming?


If anything, this article makes me thankful I live in a very scenic region of the world, and have the means to enjoy it. If I lived in a crowded concrete metropolis, I'd probably end up playing a lot more computer games...

[v3ck]

That's why I play e-sports and not WoW.

[sirstargazer]

I've followed some of Nick Yee's work and though he's right about the whole skinner box thing, that can also be said about any other type of game and isn't exclusive to MMOs.  The thing that makes MMO's special in the addictive quality isn't the game's reward system or loot- it's the, ironically, social aspect.  You have random drops and all that in any RPG type game.  But it's the fact that you can show it off to your friends that makes MMO's more 'addictive'.  It's the 'oh look at that guy and his shitty gear.' and 'oh look how much our spec is similar or better than that guys'. 


Just think of all the people you know that are 'addicted' to an MMO.  How many of them play that MMO alone?  Usually they're in a guild or at least have a regular raid group.  It's the social reinforcement that keeps people coming back. The items and virtual levers are not the food pellets, only a means to the REAL Food pellets.  Social reinforcement.

That is why MMOs players often experience more negative effects above and beyond those that play Halo/ single player/ non online persistent world games.

[sirstargazer]

Smyth, J. (2007). Beyond Self-Selection in Video Game Play: An Experimental Examination of the Consequences of Massively Multiplayer Online Role-Playing Game Play. CyberPsychology & Behavior, 10(5), 717-721.

[Deviant]

Just think of all the people you know that are 'addicted' to an MMO.  How many of them play that MMO alone?  Usually they're in a guild or at least have a regular raid group.  It's the social reinforcement that keeps people coming back. The items and virtual levers are not the food pellets, only a means to the REAL Food pellets.  Social reinforcement.

I think that is a very astute observation, I know that this is true for me, whenever I have played any computer game in the long term it has been because of the social aspect of the game.  Even games Steve characterizes as "e-sports", such as DotA or Starcraft.  That social aspect is a strong reinforcer, and in many ways is more compelling than anything the game itself has to offer.

[Rubycheeks Loveglow]

Then what's for a guy who obsessively plays single player RPG's, but actually overall ignores all collection elements?

[Aspie]

I think some of that you can attest to friends who would play the same games so you can attain a social aspect through speaking about these single player games, or you can just be like me and have a mind that would make experimental psychiatrists salivate with anticipation.

[Zeiris]

The social aspect is definitely huge for longterm player retention, but I don't think it's a big factor in the short or medium term. Strong social ties take too long to form for that.

As well, social ties result in people chatting or doing stuff together. There are situations where they force you to do boring things "for the team", but they're not what's driving the endless carrot-on-a-stick antisocial behavior WoW is famous for.

[Rubycheeks Loveglow]

I think some of that you can attest to friends who would play the same games so you can attain a social aspect through speaking about these single player games, or you can just be like me and have a mind that would make experimental psychiatrists salivate with anticipation.

But none of my friends play my games at all :< Unless I get online on something like, say, a fighting game.

[sirstargazer]

The social aspect is definitely huge for longterm player retention, but I don't think it's a big factor in the short or medium term. Strong social ties take too long to form for that.

As well, social ties result in people chatting or doing stuff together. There are situations where they force you to do boring things "for the team", but they're not what's driving the endless carrot-on-a-stick antisocial behavior WoW is famous for.

I would argue that though social ties are important for the long run, and the basic game mechanics might peak the initial interest- it's social comparison that keeps people hooked in the short term above and beyond single player games.  You don't need social ties for social comparison.  Just strutting about and showing off your gear/skill or even in a random party enough. 

[Deviant]

I think that the social aspects can also have a great impact on initial investment especially for an "average" person. I think that a lot of people start playing a specific game when they have friends already playing that game, or are told by a friend that a game is worth purchasing/playing.

[Aspie]

But none of my friends play my games at all :< Unless I get online on something like, say, a fighting game.

I guess you're crazy like me then.

[Zeiris]

I would argue that though social ties are important for the long run, and the basic game mechanics might peak the initial interest- it's social comparison that keeps people hooked in the short term above and beyond single player games.  You don't need social ties for social comparison.  Just strutting about and showing off your gear/skill or even in a random party enough. 

That's true. Although I have a lot of trouble viewing WoW as a social game; socialization obviously happens and is very important, but such a large majority of the game mechanics has nothing to do with it...