Psychology of Gaming - Part I

Fact no 1

Games are addictive simply because they are challenging.

In platform games like Megaman and Contra, you DIE A LOT! Good reflexes, memory and timing is required to understand your enemy's attack pattern. Gaining these skills require a lot patience and practice. To beat the game one will have to invest huge amount of time and take the game seriously because

DYING A LOT IS SERIOUS BUSINESS HERE!

Timing and reflexes are key to beating Megaman games

Even with the 30 lives cheat code, Contra is still a tough game to beat

Addictive level: 5/5

Fact no 2

Games are addictive simply because they require skills.

In fighting games, you won't beat a skillful opponent by simply mashing buttons. If you happen to beat a veteran gamer by button mashing, the game DOES NOT REQUIRE SKILLS!

The fact is, people invest a lot of time practicing their hadokens, mastering combos, and timed their counters right. To them, launching a hadoken or super combo becomes a habitual practice, like flushing a toilet after use.

Mastering a 10 hit combo is no joke in Tekken

Mastered Hadoken? Its just the beginning...

Addictive Level: 4/5

Fact no 3

Games are addictive simply because they offer great re-playability.

In puzzle games like Tetris, Bejeweled and Solitaire, the rules are simple, easy to understand, and fun to play. Most puzzle games are either given time limit, or endless. The objective of the game is to score as much points as possible.

Such simple game, surprisingly, can be quite addictive. Many gamers spent countless hours replaying the game over and over again, just for a single goal: To Beat The High Score.

Block drops faster as level increases in Tetris makes it more challenging

Challenge friends online and score as much points as possible in Bejeweled Blitz

Addictive Level: 3/5

Fact no 4

Games are addictive simply because they have intriguing story and action

Modern games like, well, Modern Warfare provides the so call 'Hollywood Blockbuster' experience by throwing you into a battlefield full of chaos, explosion and intense action. Combined with mind blowing effects and sound, the game will keep you on the sofa even if you want to go pee pee.

So intense because you are part of the action

Addictive Level: 2/5

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to be continue...