Gaming can be a very, very addictive pastime. Most of the time, that blame falls to the player, really. You didn't play moderately, and now video games take up most of your day. It can basically affect how you function and be problematic to your daily life. That's the basic thing.
However, games being addictive also actually falls to how game developers design them. They need people to keep playing and enjoying, so they incorporate a few psychological tricks. And you will learn of the tricks these people use to keep you playing here. So without further ado, let's begin.
When You're About To Die, You Still Live - Here's Why
You remember those numerous times in video games when you're down to your last bit of health, and you're facing overwhelming odds? Then you go out and beat the odds - basically squeaking by as you're one hit away from dying, but you didn't? That's actually a trick that gives you a sense of accomplishment and entices you to keep playing, writes Tech Times.
This was a common trick in game franchises such as DOOM and Assassin's Creed, as revealed by game developer Jennifer Scheurle. She says that the last few hit points in the character's health are actually worth more than they look, giving players the satisfaction of *JUST* surviving a tough fighte in these games:
But when it comes to Bioshock, however, it's slightly different. When your character is down on their last legs, they literally become invincible for two full seconds. Manage to kill all your remaining enemies within that time, and you'll get the amazing feeling that the developers are looking to get you to feel. And they would've accomplished their goal right then and there.
Noobs In Multiplayer Games Get Secret Damage Buffs
Online multiplayer titles like the Call of Duty games can be quite unwelcoming to first-time players. Well, it's easy to see: if you get killed all the time within seconds of just walking across the map, how is it going to be fun? And if you don't have fun in a game, you don't ever come back. Developers obviously don't want that - they want you to keep playing. That's where developers come to the "rescue" for noobs.
According to HowStuffWorks, this is particularly common in the Gears Of War and Call of Duty series. Any newcomers who start playing their first few rounds are actually given a damage buff to help them get a few kills to start. Most of the time, this is more often than not enough to keep players coming back for more. And the more they come back and play, the more skilled they get - so no more need for secret buffs. Here's a TikTok video from game developer @swissevans86 explaining the trick:
@swissevans86 Tricks us game developers use on players #gamers #gamedev #gamer #videogames #funfacts #tiktokuk #fyp #trivia #gaming #uk ♬ original sound - Swiss
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'Coyote Time'
Remember those old cartoons with the weird approach to gravity? As in, "Gravity doesn't work until you look down" kind of thing? Yeah, gaming also uses that concept as well, and it is rightfully called Coyote Time - a common trope in developing side-scrolling platformers. It is named after the iconic Wile E Coyote character in Looney Tunes, and works just as it is named.
Here's a YouTube video explaining it all:
Coyote Time refers to the split-second after a player walks to the edge of a platform in video games, which allows them to still make a jump. It tricks players into thinking they made the jump at just the right moment, when in truth, they missed it. It works very much like the secret buffs in online multiplayer gaming: it gives players a sense of satisfaction for being "skilled" enough that makes them want to come back for more.
Sneaky Loading Screens
Gaming is all about immersion. The more believable the game world is, the more immersed you are in it - and the more you keep playing. So anything that breaks that immersion, whether it's even something as simple as an obvious loading screen, is a no-go for some game developers.
To "hide" these loading screens and keep players immersed in video games, game developers use tricks like making characters squeeze through a tight space or close the door behind them. Or in the case of the original Mass Effect game from 2007 (not the Legendary Edition version), long elevator rides.
Developers employ all sorts of tricks to hide their loading screens, which is detailed in this video from OutsideXbox. They're all quite clever, if you think about it:
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Story posted on GameNGuide
Written by RJ Pierce