Video Game Addiction Treatment - Computer Addiction Treatment - Internet Addiction Help

Why are Video Games Addictive?

In a previous Tip of the Month, we discussed the specific video games that seem to present an increased risk of leading to an addiction - or at least unhealthy or excessive gaming habits. These are the games that clients most often come to help in moderating or giving up entirely. Notably, these games are all Massively Multiplayer Online Role Playing Games or MMORGS (e.g., World of Warcraft). Why are video games addictive and why do MMORPGs seem to be especially addictive?

What is a MMORPG? In MMORPG games, players typically create their own character(s), join other players online to form committed teams (clans, guilds), and develop their character's skills, powers, and abilities by completing certain tasks or quests in a fantasy world which is largely shaped by the players. The worlds continue to evolve even when the player is offline.

The question is, why are MMORPGs more likely to result in excessive use than other genres of games (e.g., First Person Shooter, Platformer, Racing, Puzzle, Sports, etc.)? Why are MMORPGs so potentially addictive? The following list outlines some of the possible reasons.



Why are video games addictive?
Reason #1:
There is no end to the game. This is one of the defining features of a MMORPG. Unlike many other types of video games, a MMORPG has 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.


Why are video games addictive?
Reason #2:
The appeal of making social connections. While many video games are solitary activities MMORPGs 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.


Why are video games addictive?
Reason #3:
In-game rewards are based on a leveling system. When starting a MMORPG 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?


Why are video games addictive?
Reason #4:
Encourages 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 MMORPGs.


Why are video games addictive?
Reason #5:
All MMORPGs 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 MMORPGs. 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.


Why are video games addictive?
Reason #6:
It is easier to view MMORPGs 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.


Why are video games addictive?
Reason #7:
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 a MMORPG, a player may be highly 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.


Why are video games addictive?
Reason #8:
MMORPGs 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 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 of MMORPGs is clearly a very important factor in encouraging longer and longer periods of play.


Why are video games addictive?
Reason #9:
The virtual world 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.


Why are video games addictive?
Reason #10:
Companies regularly release upgrades or expansion packs. Even if players start to get bored of the online worlds their characters inhabit, expansion packs can always add new areas for exploration, new abilities to try, new tasks to complete, and new characters to develop.


Why are video games addictive?
Reason #11:
Top 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).


Why are video games addictive?
Reason #12:
MMORPGs do not reward short and unscheduled periods of play. The very structure of this type of video game is not "pick up and play". They require long-term commitments (months or years) of regular gaming sessions lasting at least an hour or more. They 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.


Why are video games addictive?
Reason #13:
They offer a more fully realized virtual world than other video game genres. 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. More than other games, MMORPGs offer an escape from the reality of the physical world and into a digital universe where players can assume any identity they desire.


Why are video games addictive?
Reason #14:
MMORPGs typically 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 so that they "get their money's worth".


Why are video games addictive?
Reason #15:
They can generate more varied and stronger 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.

Why are video games addictive? Now you know.