Understanding Addiction-Based Game Design 308
spidweb writes "The common theory is that games like World of Warcraft are addictive. But what are the exact qualities that make it so? Are there specific elements of the design that can be pulled out, distilled, and used at will to give a game drug-like properties? Is it wrong to do so? A new article at IGN RPG Vault attempts to isolates the exact qualities that go into making an addiction-based design. From the article: 'If a game uses rewards of any sort to entice you to experience highly repetitive content, you should see what it's trying to do and which of your buttons it's trying to press. If you don't mind, that's cool, but you should understand it.'"
Addictive ? (Score:1, Funny)
Well, as they package Red Bull with it...
Firsty posty! (Score:5, Funny)
I'm addicted to slashdot karma farming.
I post bland, pro-open source comments, and collect the insightful mods. /. equivalent of giving away all your WOW gold and money. But I just can't do it.
Sometimes I feel like posting pro-Microsoft comments, which is the
Re:Obligatory (Score:3, Funny)
Re:Companionship is addictive (Score:3, Funny)
He's an engineer, finds natural gas all day.
Hell, I guess I will be seeing him at my place soon, especially after burrito night.
Addiction?? (Score:3, Funny)
It started when you controlled a little yellow circle that went around swallowing blue pills.
Re:Is Virtual Companionship Good? (Score:5, Funny)
What if someone took the WoW engine and put an actual business behind it and started hiring on the basis that you would be represented within the company as your virtual self instead of a physical presence?
Someone would jump out from behind the water cooler when you walk by, ram their envelope openers into your kidneys and dance on your corpse. Why're you asking?
Re:Obligatory (Score:5, Funny)
You're doing this wrong. Here's how you gotta do it:
"LFM, 5 modpoint holders for +funny, pst"
Now spam every thread with this.
Re:Frost Posh (Score:4, Funny)
Discuss, paying particular attention to the turtles below.
Re:Companionship is addictive (Score:0, Funny)
Now, if you want to make the case that most of the people in the USA are lardballs, that's a different story.
There, fixed that for you.
Re:Is Virtual Companionship Good? (Score:3, Funny)
What if someone took the WoW engine and put an actual business behind it and started hiring on the basis that you would be represented within the company as your virtual self instead of a physical presence?
I'd think people would
(You know, like a real job).
I have a great idea for a virtual business the two of us should get working on (but don't tell anyone). It's the greatest WoW business of all time:
Gold Mining!
Enjoy the perilous, adventurous quest for precious metal (and the handsome rewards that go with it), all from the safety and comfort of your own home.
I think this will revolutionize WoW. Let's pioneer this wonderful new business model!
Re:Hold my beer and watch this (Score:2, Funny)
Re:Companionship is addictive (Score:3, Funny)
Yeah, but I doubt that there's a WoW player that's a illiterate mass-murdering celebrity billionaire terrorist!
I havent had time to post lately. (Score:3, Funny)
I've been playing Heroin Hero 60 hours/week. Someday I'll catch that pesky dragon!
Re:Its the rewards. (Score:5, Funny)
Sounds to me like you need better hobbies.
Hell, if you put the same time into talking to girls that you did playing WoW, you'd probably have sex, which is better than a +1 sword of compensatingforsomethingosity.
Re:Its the rewards. (Score:5, Funny)
Advantage of getting your girlfriend into your MMO with you:
She gets a black dye, you can buy it from her with oral sex...
My name is geminidomino, and I'm a Guild Wars gigolo.
Re:Companionship is addictive (Score:5, Funny)
There is a pretty funny theory that the vast majority of WoW players are well-respected professionals who play the game in their free time.
[citation REALLY fucking needed]
The paid spokespeople on TV (Captain Kirk, B.A Baracus, etc...) are not "the vast majority" of players.
Through the playing of WoW, they not only practice their leadership skills, but also organizational skills and planning skills.
Leadership skills?
"How I mine fish?" /unequip armor + /dance on mailbox
"Can someone give me 10 silver?"
Alexander the Fucking Great they're not...
Seriously, WHO holds this "theory?" They need to be sterilized for the sake of evolution.
(Not flaming parent, just REALLY amused)
Re:Subscription based addiction (Score:3, Funny)
Still got her number?
(I'm kidding, not a WoW player here. Just desperate.)