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> time slips away It doesn't help that many modern games explicitly use Operant Conditioning to keep people playing. MMOs and "free to play" games are notoriou
by pdkl95 11y ago
> time slips away
It doesn't help that many modern games explicitly use Operant Conditioning to keep people playing. MMOs and "free to play" games are notorious, but you will find Skinner Boxes in a lot of modern games.
Extra Credits has a nice overview, which includes a few design suggestions which games can use instead of hooking players with a reward schedule.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tWtvrPTbQ_c https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tWtvrPTbQ_c
Also, it's not just games - you will find Operant Conditioning style reward schedules in some "social media" businesses, too, which can waste someone's day just as bad as any game.
- jwdunne 11y agoI notice this with social games especially. The whole levelling, achievement and overblown rewards system is designed to give a dopamine kick regularly, up until you need to pay to proceed. It's almost like a drug. In fact, that's how cocaine works. With ADHD, it's even worse. The mind craves stimulation as there's a distinct lack of dopamine in an area of the brain. Games amongst other things give this area nice kick, which is why we see hyper focus.