The Science Of Game Addiction: What Makes Them So Engaging?

Also known as internet gaming disorder, video game addiction is on the rise over the last few years. Click here & understand the science behind this addiction.

Playing video games has become a popular pastime over the last few decades. What started as a passing fad in the 1980s has now become mainstream. From the classic 8-bit arcade games offered in the 80s, to the newer versions of VR Games, video games have significantly evolved. They now have sophisticated graphics, complex plots, and are very interactive.

As they continue to grow in popularity, they’ve also become very addictive. Much like the casino games offered at 7slots online casino, video games have become very addictive.

To better understand this addiction, this article highlights factors that make the games so engaging, captivating, and very addictive.

What is video game addiction?

Video game addiction, also referred to as ‘gaming disorder’, is a pattern of playing games that is difficult to control despite the negative effects it has on the player’s life. Much like gambling addiction, if left unchecked, it tends to have fatal financial implications to the player’s life.

The Science Behind Video Game Addiction

The main reason behind video game addiction is the same one experienced with any other drug. When playing video games, the brain releases ‘dopamine’ – the feel good chemical. How much of this chemical is released determines whether a player gets hooked to the video game or not.

Besides the release of dopamine, video games have been known to offer a way of escaping reality. Much like alcohol or any other drug, people tend to turn to video games to unwind or relax. When left unchecked, it can quickly lead to an addiction problem.

Dopamine Release

Here’s a quick summary of how dopamine and video games are related

• Brain scans: they’ve shown that the amount of dopamine released during gameplay increases as more time is spent on the game
• Reward center: the brain’s reward center will release more dopamine as a player accomplishes certain missions or objectives during gameplay
• Gaming disorder: according to the scans, the more difficult the levels/objectives, the more dopamine is released. This can easily lead to disorders similar to gambling and substance use.

Dopamine has been attributed as the main reason for video game addiction. Escapism follows closely, but it could also be a big factor as we move into the VR and AR era.

Escapism

When considering addiction due to escapism, you must look at two parameters: immersive worlds and stress relief. Video game developers create detailed and realistic games that allow players to lose themselves in the world. Many players have occasionally said they didn’t notice how time passed while playing some of their favourite games.

As a stress reliever, some gamers switch or look to games to escape from reality, especially when facing the challenges of life. This has been attributed to the high levels of gaming addiction in Japan where many people are choosing games over dealing with life challenges.

Conclusion

The psychology behind addiction caused by video games is a combination of many things. It’s a combination of social engagement, dopamine-induced rewards, immersive worlds, and ingeniously created game mechanics. While these factors make the whole gaming experience fun, they are also the root cause for addiction. As a savvy player, you must be aware of these triggers to avoid getting hooked on them.