Video game addiction, often classified under the broader scope of digital or internet addiction, is a burgeoning concern with far-reaching implications. This addictive behavior manifests as compulsive gaming that interferes with daily life activities, causing negative effects on relationships, work, and mental well-being. But why does it happen? How does a seemingly innocent hobby turn into a full-fledged addiction?
Why It Matters
Understanding the underlying factors behind video game addiction can offer valuable insights into its prevention and treatment. The stakes are real, and the consequences range from declining academic performance and weakened social bonds to deteriorating physical health and heightened stress levels.
The Reward System
Video games are designed to be engaging and rewarding. They activate the brain’s reward system, releasing dopamine, which naturally creates a sense of pleasure and fulfillment. Over time, this can result in a cycle where gaming becomes the primary method for stress relief and emotional gratification, promoting continued use.
Escapism
Video games provide an immersive escape from reality. Whether it’s a fantastical realm or a competitive sports simulation, the allure of an alternative universe can be particularly seductive for those who are struggling with real-world problems, be they emotional, psychological, or even physical.
Variable Ratio Reinforcement
Many video games operate on a “loot box” or “reward” system, where players receive intermittent awards at unpredictable intervals. This kind of reinforcement can encourage compulsive behavior, as the unpredictability of rewards maintains high levels of engagement and anticipation.
Personal Factors
Individual personality traits such as low self-esteem, high impulsivity, or a predisposition to addiction can also contribute to the onset of video game addiction. Furthermore, underlying mental health issues like depression or anxiety disorders can exacerbate or even drive the addiction.
Most addictive games have no definite end
Big MMORPGs do not have definite endings, but the same can be said for genres of games of as well. Video games that are addicting do not have end goals where a player can feel that he’s finished with it. They can never experience an ending or reach a point where the game naturally ends and there’s nothing left to do.
Online multiplayer games offer a platform for social interaction. For some individuals, these virtual connections can become a substitute for real-world socializing, further driving the addiction. The sense of community and belonging can make the gaming world more appealing than the challenges and complexities of real-life relationships.
Most addictive games encourage social connections
Video games were formerly solitary activities. Nowadays however, games require players to reach out socially with other players. This feeds everyone’s personal need to establish social connections. But these connections could deprive players from creating real life relationships. Learn more to know who have a gaming addiction?
Most addictive games have a leveling system
In most addictive games, a player starts with a character having weak attributes regarding strength, intelligence, skills, abilities, and many more. At first, it only takes a few minutes of play to get to the next level and add new skills. This “privilege” to become stronger reinforces players to continue playing. But the next levels take more and more time to achieve, and it can reach a point where gaining a level alone would take months of play. And around that time, the player has already accepted that he’ll need to exert more effort to gain another level, just to experience the rewarding feeling of leveling up.
Most addictive games encourage teamwork with other gamers in the world
This is especially applicable in MMORPGs. The mere fact that two players from different parts of the world can socialize and unite for a common cause makes the experience more exciting and rewarding for players.
Most addicting games have in-game currency
Just as people in the real world desire to gain wealth, these desires also exist in addictive video games. As a player accumulates more and more in-game currency (by playing more and finishing quests and tasks), they gain more power, influence, status, and most importantly, admiration from other players. In-game money therefore gives players lucrative results in its pursuit.
What Are The Steps for Recovery?
Prevention and treatment often involve evidence-based addiction treatments including cognitive-behavioral therapy aimed at restructuring the patterns and beliefs that fuel the addiction. Medical treatments, including medications and psychotherapy, can help address underlying mental health issues.