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Video game PEGI age-ratings are changing in Europe from June. Four new categories added to tackle elements of addictive design, unmonitored online communication and loot boxes (www.eurogamer.net)
submitted 8 months ago by to c/games@lemmy.world
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[–] 7 points 8 months ago* (9 children)

Elements of addictive design

So, like... Every single game? I can't think of a single game made after the 90s that doesn't have some elements of addictiveness designed into the game. Like every time you are shown an XP reward for doing a thing? That's an addictive element designed to hook you.

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  • [–] 2 points 7 months ago (1 child)

    By that logic everything is addictive and people indulging in it should be considered addicts. And I mean everything, for example: playing sports, singing, painting minis, fantasizing about muscular men, and even cleaning your house.

    But that would be kind of meaningless, and would add nothing to the discussion. Luckily the discussion is not about that, it is around games with elements specifically designed to be much more addictive.

    Good example would be Bloons TD 6. Is the game itself addictive? I wouldn't say so, it's just and ordinary (though well made) game. Again, you can still get addicted to just the play loop of it, but that's not the point. Are the daily rewards and daily challenges in this game addictive? Yes, their purpose is literally to get you to think you have something do in that game and log in every day to do them. Think about how much less addictive that game would be if those mechanics would be removed. Would people still log in every day to play? Some people yes (third time now, everything can be an addiction), but a lot of people would play much less, and possibly in much more focused sessions (as in not half an hour everyday, but two hours every weekend).

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  • [–] 1 point 7 months ago* (last edited 7 months ago)

    By that logic, everything is addictive

    Everything can be addictive. That doesn't mean everything is designed that way. The key words here are intentionally designed. And nearly all modern games have intentionally addictive design elements, from how the UI is presented, down to how the game feels. Most major game studios literally have psychologists on staff for this very purpose, while smaller studios copy a lot of the same ideas and elements into their games without even necessarily knowing the things they are copying to be like The Current Big Hit were originally designed to be addiction machines (aka Skinner boxes).

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  • [–] 1 point 8 months ago (2 children)

    I dare you tell me an addictive element in Terraria.

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  • [–] 1 point 8 months ago

    Basically the whole game lol. But off the top of my head a specific example is fishing crates are loot boxes. I don't think it falls under the same category as being addictive as a core design choice or for money though it's just legit an amazing game with a gameplay loop that draws you in

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  • [–] 0 points 8 months ago (2 children)

    The Long Dark?

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