Are Video Games Addictive? Yes, And This Why…
Video game addiction is not technically something that can be diagnosed and there are no official symptoms clearly signifying that someone is addicted.
But, find a parent of a teenager or child who plays video games nonstop for hours at a time and would choose to sit in front of a computer screen rather than do anything else. And then ask them “Do you think video games are addictive?” The frustrated parent will almost certainly answer yes.
Similarly, if you were to ask the girlfriend or wife of someone who spends more time with his favorite video game than with her and the answer will likely be the same.
What about the person who spends forty (or more) hours every week playing online computer games? Would he (or she) believe that video games are addictive? Would he or she recognize the need to get help for video game addiction?
Consider a 15-year-old who spends hours upon hours every day playing games on Facebook while neglecting school, friends, and family - would this be seen as teenage internet addiction?
When gamers neglect their health, their relationships, their schoolwork, their jobs, and other important responsibilities all so that they can continue playing, video game addiction may be a reality. These symptoms of video game addiction will not look exactly the same for everyone, but if gaming is the number one priority in someone’s life, few would argue that this is a healthy or productive lifestyle.
It should be pointed out that not all games are equally addictive. Most research shows that online role playing games and first person shooters (also played online with others) seem to be the most addictive types of video games.
But, find a parent of a teenager or child who plays video games nonstop for hours at a time and would choose to sit in front of a computer screen rather than do anything else. And then ask them “Do you think video games are addictive?” The frustrated parent will almost certainly answer yes.
Similarly, if you were to ask the girlfriend or wife of someone who spends more time with his favorite video game than with her and the answer will likely be the same.
What about the person who spends forty (or more) hours every week playing online computer games? Would he (or she) believe that video games are addictive? Would he or she recognize the need to get help for video game addiction?
Consider a 15-year-old who spends hours upon hours every day playing games on Facebook while neglecting school, friends, and family - would this be seen as teenage internet addiction?
When gamers neglect their health, their relationships, their schoolwork, their jobs, and other important responsibilities all so that they can continue playing, video game addiction may be a reality. These symptoms of video game addiction will not look exactly the same for everyone, but if gaming is the number one priority in someone’s life, few would argue that this is a healthy or productive lifestyle.
It should be pointed out that not all games are equally addictive. Most research shows that online role playing games and first person shooters (also played online with others) seem to be the most addictive types of video games.
Video Games Are Designed to Be Addictive
Remember that many video games are intentionally designed to be addictive. Perhaps not addictive in the traditional sense of the word (as in alcohol or drug addiction), but making them as compelling as possible and hard to put down is obviously the goal.
In some ways it is difficult to blame the game designers for this. After all, their job is to create an interesting and engaging game that players will want to spend time with (a game designer who intentionally set out to create a boring and tedious game would soon find himself unemployed).
So, why do some people (not everyone of course) find themselves addicted to video games and unable to quit? What makes certain video games so addictive?
In some ways it is difficult to blame the game designers for this. After all, their job is to create an interesting and engaging game that players will want to spend time with (a game designer who intentionally set out to create a boring and tedious game would soon find himself unemployed).
So, why do some people (not everyone of course) find themselves addicted to video games and unable to quit? What makes certain video games so addictive?
Why People Become Addicted to Video Games
1. High Scores, “Points”, and “Achievements”
Traditionally, in-game high scores served as one of the primary motivators to keep playing and obtain a higher score than other players. Back in the days of old-school arcade machines, archiving the number one ranking on a particular game (and adding your three letter initials) was the ultimate bragging right. This carried over to the early days of home consoles before online connections added the component of social gaming. Although some today games still rely on scores to encourage continued play, many modern games have adopted a different system of gamer “points” or “achievements” - which the player receives for completing certain in-game tasks and have proven to be even more effective for hooking the player than simple high scores.
2. The Possibility of Finishing the Game
At the risk of over-generalizing, games can be seen as falling into one of two categories – those that can be beaten and those that essentially have no end. For games that can be beaten, finishing the game (especially after the player has already invested a significant amount of time playing it) can lead to excessive play as the gamer strives to reach the end and / or finish the game story.
3. The Impossibility of Finishing the Game
For very different reasons, open-ended games (such as online role playing games) which can never really be finished, can also result in video game addiction. Because the player never reaches the “game over” screen, it is impossible to have a sense of full completion and also, the reminder that it is time to put down the game and move on to something else.
4. The Escape from Reality
Compared to television and movies, it can be argued that video games offer a more immersive and compelling escape from the reality and stress of everyday life. People may become addicted to video games if they regularly turn to gaming to avoid feelings of stress, depression, low-self esteem, or frustration with their “real” life. When gaming is a primary coping mechanism, video game addiction may not be far off.
5. Social Connections
For many, video games are a way to connect with others, make friends, and socialize. Of course, there is nothing wrong with this if gaming is only used as occasional entertainment. But for video game addicts making and maintaining online gaming friendships is certainly a factor that can contribute to unhealthy levels of play – especially if the gamer does not have many significant friendships outside of the gaming world.
Note that these five points only scratch the surface in explaining why video games are addictive. For a more complete answer see this very interesting article "Why are Video Games Addictive" which describes fifteen reasons for video game addiction.
Traditionally, in-game high scores served as one of the primary motivators to keep playing and obtain a higher score than other players. Back in the days of old-school arcade machines, archiving the number one ranking on a particular game (and adding your three letter initials) was the ultimate bragging right. This carried over to the early days of home consoles before online connections added the component of social gaming. Although some today games still rely on scores to encourage continued play, many modern games have adopted a different system of gamer “points” or “achievements” - which the player receives for completing certain in-game tasks and have proven to be even more effective for hooking the player than simple high scores.
2. The Possibility of Finishing the Game
At the risk of over-generalizing, games can be seen as falling into one of two categories – those that can be beaten and those that essentially have no end. For games that can be beaten, finishing the game (especially after the player has already invested a significant amount of time playing it) can lead to excessive play as the gamer strives to reach the end and / or finish the game story.
3. The Impossibility of Finishing the Game
For very different reasons, open-ended games (such as online role playing games) which can never really be finished, can also result in video game addiction. Because the player never reaches the “game over” screen, it is impossible to have a sense of full completion and also, the reminder that it is time to put down the game and move on to something else.
4. The Escape from Reality
Compared to television and movies, it can be argued that video games offer a more immersive and compelling escape from the reality and stress of everyday life. People may become addicted to video games if they regularly turn to gaming to avoid feelings of stress, depression, low-self esteem, or frustration with their “real” life. When gaming is a primary coping mechanism, video game addiction may not be far off.
5. Social Connections
For many, video games are a way to connect with others, make friends, and socialize. Of course, there is nothing wrong with this if gaming is only used as occasional entertainment. But for video game addicts making and maintaining online gaming friendships is certainly a factor that can contribute to unhealthy levels of play – especially if the gamer does not have many significant friendships outside of the gaming world.
Note that these five points only scratch the surface in explaining why video games are addictive. For a more complete answer see this very interesting article "Why are Video Games Addictive" which describes fifteen reasons for video game addiction.