Exposing the Addictive Video Game Formula

[@GameQuitters]

How do you know if you have a gaming problem? Take our quiz and find out: gamequitters.com/video-game-addiction-test-for-gamers/

[@danielmoung9098]

I do NOT believe that video games are addictive! Video games are only addictive if you play for 12 hours straight and never stop to eat a meal or take a shower. I personally do NOT have that problem, I play for 2 to 4, occasionally 5 hours a day. I'm in my 40's, live alone, can pay my bills, exercise and provide food for myself which is all I care about. For exercise I do hiking, bicycling and disc golf. I do NOT care about raising a family, having a lucrative career or buying some cookie cutter house on the hill! Drugs, alcohol and gambling are way worse vices/addictions! Gaming doesn't even make the list for me. I also don't believe that these games corrupt minds either, no matter what some white haired psychologist says!

[@SuperVigilante007]

Here are some things to do besides gaming. -workout -meditation -yoga -play an instrument -hike -get a girlfriend -cooking -travel -watch movies or television -spend time with family and friends -read a good book -get a job -take care of a pet There’s way more, but I’d be here for hours listing all the things you could do.

[@GameQuitters]

Great list

[@Newyorkisabiiiiiggcity]

Right like that list doesent any risk of addiction right? Get a grip on reality. ANYTHING can be addictive if your not carefull with it. PLEASE prove me wrong YOU CANT❤❤❤

[@justpoppinthings]

"watch movies or television"... be told what to do rather than think what to do, I would rather have cancer

[@leomux2004]

Start a business as well, then you would have a very strong goal to achieve.

[@gastroacid1971]

Television is usually worse than video games

[@newpartyeorn]

Video games nowadays are surely designed to be addictive. It's just easy money after those game dev teams find out how human brain works. Some would even say "moderate gaming" or "other things can be addictive so gaming is no difference" because they don't even know how those big company design the video games with knowledge of brain science. Several years ago, I was heavily addicted to gaming and spent years to rank up to the top 0.1% in every competitive FPS game I played(CS:GO, VALORANT, APEX), and one of my dreams in my teenager years is becoming a pro FPS player. Eventually I just realized my life shouldn't be like that. I was just wasting my life. After quitting gaming, I focused on my drawing skill for years and became financially independent. Activities in real life feel much more enjoyable because I stopped receiving highly and frequently exploding dopamine from video games for a long time. I became capable to do difficult and challenging things in real life. There's no such a thing called "moderate gaming". After 2010s, video games are designed so "well" that they are literally natural drugs to human brain. How tf a human moderate it? The only option is quitting.

[@christopherburns2922]

Good job bro in quitting and finding successful things to do outside gaming.

[@GameQuitters]

games have definitely changed imo

[@Newyorkisabiiiiiggcity]

Dont talk about your sumbjective experience like its a fact and expect not to be called out on ur bs. Even if it were true that video game companies are making games to be addictive so what? Companys nowadays make EVERYTHING to get your attention and keep you engaged eith their product which if not done in MODERATION can lead to addiction. Movies do it, games do it, but just because game companies want to keep you invested and get money (lile any bussniess) doesent mean you allow yourself to become addicted, YOU have the choice to allow gaming to controll tour life. And its not even a moral question ither. Game companies use knowlage of brain science to keep you engaged and make a profit off of you. That is WAY different that getting you addicted. Theres no solid proof that game companies want you addicted any more than book companies want you addicted to buying their books or sports conpanies getting you addicted to buying their name brands.

[@Jamesen1124]

Yea no your at fault, you spout this lile its 100% fact, "no such thing as moderate gaming" yea? Well ive been doin it for years and dont have problems i enjoy many varietys of life other than gaming and have a success, also good job replacing your addictive nature with drawing or something else im guessing, also your dopamine spike arguement has been proven false many times over, source? Common sense, video games arent the only thing with high dopanime levels, but they are the only ones to get shit for being entertaining. Like high dopamine levels are dangerous in any way, ever heard of personal things you enjoy? Reading an entertaining book is high in dopamine to a reader as gaming is to a gamer. But you dont hear about that because the focus is always on gaming, if you dont like gaming thats fine but yoyr crusade on banning video games is honestly embarasing and sensless. Get a grip on reality, even the channel that YOUR WATCHING has a video on hoe to game in moderation. (Il be it, he does contradict himself) really shows his trustability as a final athourity on video games. But anyway carry on your crusade, i love having a healthy relationshio with video games, not to put you down, but instead to show you its possible. And not every gamer is a degenerate who wastes their life.

[@tsukyojaimangermesvoisins7216]

@@Newyorkisabiiiiiggcity denial gamers addict typical coment

[@orionalnitak272]

Video Games are absolutely designed to be addicting. The best way to get someone addicted is to keep them engaged. The reason to keep them engaged is to increase the possibility they will buy. If they are addicted they will no longer have that decision barrier if they want to pay, they need to pay because they are addicted. Surprise mechanics are mainlining dopamine and highest cash extraction for game companies. Games are incredibly cheap to produce. Assets can easily be reused in an engine that has already been developed. It’s basically printing money for companies with no risk.

[@GameQuitters]

Well said 🔥🔥

[@GodlessFiend]

I think that’s where the pay to win comes in to order Orion

[@igydkygs00kwhi]

Like anything in life

[@ColdEnough098]

For me i had to delete everything related to the game even the app i used to talk with the friends who still played the game😔😢 i had to break my own heart but it was for my own good because the way i was playing was ruining me completely and I had to make sure i had no triggers that would make me go back in the initial months when i would be tempted most took me 7 months to completely get over it and then later on I realized what an idiot i was letting a game dictate my life. If any of you are quitting do it in a way that you know that there would be no way to go back and engage in healthy activities don't trade one addiction for another.

[@reallifeanimegirl]

Video game addiction is very real, a med school classmate of mine failed due to league of legends and hearthstone( of all games to get addicted to). And another guy in my class brings his switch to the lectures, or watches valorant videos on his phone and then plays on his pc, its insane.

[@GameQuitters]

thanks for sharing

[@Allen1350]

Thanks for these informative videos. I put down my controller back on April 19th, and I'm happy to report that my quality of life has dramatically improved.

[@GameQuitters]

Awesome to hear Allen!

[@GodlessFiend]

Congrats Allen keep it going. I stopped a month before you did in March. March 21 to be in fact. Keep it going Allen. I’m still going strong as well and I hope you do too.

[@Ben-pk4cv]

If anyone would like to try group support meetings to stay off video games, Gaming Addicts Anonymous has Zoom meetings and a few in-person meetings. ITAA also has in-person meetings if you are looking for more in-person meetings to recover from Internet and Technology Addiction (including video games).

[@GodlessFiend]

As Orion pointed out video games are absolutely designed to be addicting. Addiction is a disease and sometimes people don’t know that until it’s too late. I want was like that for 15 years since I was a preteen until March of this year. It’s very hard to recover from that addiction, how I did it I may never know, but I’m glad I did. It’s a hard process, especially when you grow up on video games and TV versus the outside world especially when it comes to a pandemic. I mean, if people can get over there, drug addiction or alcohol, addiction, or any other addiction I’m sure they can for video games too. All you need is some confidence and some good friends to help you out and not the friends that tell you to keep on playing your addiction out. Very well said on all points.

[@Decmatee]

I think most of the games by the big names are designed to be as addictive as they can possibly make them. And a company like blizzard, that has billions to invest,... Is there any wonder we feel we have problems with them. The one I have issues with is overwatch. Some design elements: The "pings" you hear when you hit a headshot with the red notification. The way the payload unlocks after the first point, it resembles that of a slot machine. Think of slot machine mechanics: you sometimes manage to trigger an event that gets you onto the prize board. So too in overwatch unlock payload points, hear victory sounds, the team is relieved to have got that point unlocked. Then can you push it further. It creates this constant tension and pressure, if you can *just* push it further you might win that all-allusive SR. This is a steady stream of constant dopamine. And that's just one design element. To mention a few others: Team dynamics and character interactions. Play of the games. Ranking and win tiles. I feel like I absolutely love the game, but how much of that is just an addictive chemical release in my physiology? The social validation aspects, the progress through ranks, the culture around this (twitch streamers). It all adds up to a huge addictive concoction that is hard for someone to put down.

[@Newyorkisabiiiiiggcity]

Exactly. Its a matter of personal choice❤

[@KINGTJFPS]

Games are very addictive and its an easy way to pass by time it makes u feel in control and helps u escape from reality while you are playing video games u waste a bunch of time in the real world and u can be doing something more productive

[@Newyorkisabiiiiiggcity]

Right....

[@Steve8864]

It is interesting to see how techniques to make a video game engaging and how promoting player behaviour into wanting to play, also intersect and overlap with creating an addiction in the player. I do not think games are designed to be addictive, but I think that they can create addictions through the nature of how they are designed. I think this video goes over these techniques. I also think it is a matter of perspective. To me, it is like saying that big food companies are promoting obesity. Obesity is a side effect of food companies becoming better at selling their products and promoting consumption (and unhealthy consumption) and changing their food composition to create physical/psychological cravings. In a similar way, game companies are rewarded based on how effective their engagement and monetization models are - with a side effect of creating unhealthy habits and addictions.

[@clawscrab3497]

I can relate to the idea of being like an alternative reality. But although it's only a game, as the old saying goes but it feels "real", especially in this day and age as video games become more and more realistic, to a point where it's getting more and more difficult to tell the difference...

[@GameQuitters]

absolutely

[@igydkygs00kwhi]

Intresting how you dont hold this standard to movies or chess or yknow something that isint propagandised? 🤐

[@CVoYager]

I never thought about how you are getting better weapons gave you the illusion of getting better at the game that is a really good insight

[@GameQuitters]

glad you enjoyed the video

[@Newyorkisabiiiiiggcity]

Lol that not only can be applyed to anything, but is also such a weak arguement and im honestly shocked this came up. Getting better weapons doesent automaticly make the game easier? MOST gaes like 90%of the time popular ones, do require skill to use better weapons. So this arguement falls flat on its face. You get better weapons to fight HARDER enemies which takes MORE SKILL and understanding😂. And even if this were true? It doesent prove video games are out to get you and certainly doesent prove or give evidence for games being manipulative in ANY way. If you want to find evidence go for it but stop making up false statements for your personal pet peves

[@CVoYager]

@@Newyorkisabiiiiiggcity calm down champ, and you should probably stop writing essays on youtube comments, get something better to do

[@KhaledShow_YT]

Is 1-2 hours of gaming good? Or even on holiday break more than 2 hours ?

[@galaxy6782]

I've started my journey, and so far I'm 14 days in. My current goal is 90 days (this would be my longest period without them.) One issue I've had so far is I find myself consuming other forms of media. I've been watching many videos to pass the time, but I try to watch things that relate to outer interests, as well as self- betterment. I don't feel a massive craving to play at the moment, but at times I feel a sense of loneliness, because gaming was an activity my friends and I would do. Now if we call, they continue to play, while I just sit there. I would say that's the biggest downside in my journey so far. But I'm both determined and excited to do this, that's just a minor obstacle. I feel more present in my day to day life and I accomplish more overall.

[@HomeGrown001]

The most valuable asset in the world is human attention.

[@GameQuitters]

💯💯💯

[@christopherburns2922]

I’ve found writing out and numbering all the reasons I don’t want gaming in my life is helpful to building leverage and my “why” I’m moving on. Gaming has gone from a Goliath of difficulty in overcoming the temptation to more of a mosquito sized annoyance of urges to game. I’m now implementing this into overcoming other vices in my life.

[@GameQuitters]

Great idea! Clarity makes all the difference 🔥🙌🏼🙌🏼

[@PhylJoy]

Thank you for video!!! Now with all this knowledge I can make my games better and more engaging!!

[@ruminate773]

I like your style, that jacket looks great on you

[@GameQuitters]

thanks!

[@patriciabatres2128]

1:43 and caffeine

[@CV100-jv6ht]

Sorry before hand if you get annoyed because the big comment. I just want to express my opinion as a guy who likes playing but of course can stop and do other activities like reading (I'm actually reading Edgar Allan Poe and The Republic), my classes of computer security, the gym, going out with my friends, drawing and writing my ideas for comics, etc (I just say this so you don't get a bad image of me as a "addicted gamer that needs to justify their addiction" lmao). I don't think that games are necceserally addictive by design. They can be designed like that and they are obviously used like that sometimes, of course, I'm not denying that (WOW, LOL, GI, etc; and techniques like the loot-boxes do this, and I'm against the use of this practices), but saying all games are like this is a bit of a generalization in my eyes (in fact, the speak you used is about "How to make games" and not about "How to make games" (and in the description/speak they also differenciate between normal games and addictive games)). For ex, Mario Wonder has a flow state (where it puts you some challenges, you have to resolve them to continue because x, etc) and you gain actual skills in-game that can be checked, dopamine flow, etc; but It's designed to just mantain you focused on the game till you get tired and want to quit 'till other time (since it lets you get out when you can with the pause options) or you finish it since it only has one objective, it doesn't overstimulate you with things like "objects" or related, etc (the options of replay it or 100%ed it aren't forced, is just an option for those who want it). They need the flow state, a reason and an actual result to work as an activity. However games like WOW overflow you with things to do, they bombard you with constant stimulants (like a lot of NPC's with different missions, objects to collect that have monetary value, a vast world with a lot of things to do, etc) and create the false sensation of progress (wich means that in that game specificaly they twerk sublty your actions or stats to create that illusion of progress since if you needed actual skills it won't be as accesible as a normal game (what you described with RE4 is more of a upgrade of equipment because you still need the accuracy to pass the enemies, you just have a better weapon)) to get you hooked the max time possible. I'm not here to deny videogame addiction (because it clearly exists, and those who have it need help like yours and I 100% support that :D), that videogame companies like Blizzard are very good boys (because of course they aren't. They are companies, after all) or that games can't be designed as addictive (I mean, this speak exists after all); I'm here to just show my slightly disagreement and a bit of misconceptions I saw in the video. Thanks for reading it (if you read it in the first place), sorry if it's a lot of text (these kind of things need an explanation) and good luck with your rehab program and for those who are in it rn

[@terminus8497]

in my opinion you misunderstand the intention behind Chuck Clanton's lecture. these are design tactics and artistry that have emerged out of decades of video game development. there is no bad intention behind these observations. this is like saying that movies shouldn't contain a narrative arc or that music shouldn't contain hooks etc

[@masterbaiter7891]

I am suffering from videogame addiction. I will try to watch all your videos to learn about my addiction and how to stop it. Thank you. Subd.

[@GameQuitters]

You got this! Come join us on the forums or discord, the extra support will help a lot: forum.gamequitters.com or discord.gg/gamequitters

[@Dr._Nicolas]

I don't think that the people are guilty i think more games are becoming more and more adictive, but the games that are more adictive are more popular, i will always advocated for games like they were before the 2005's you rent it or buy it once like a movie.

[@Newyorkisabiiiiiggcity]

No its not the games fault, for kids its the parents fault not moderating their kids and observing what they are doing and yes ANYTHING can go for that/ be addictive and for adults they should know better and have better self controll

[@takoyaki-gq1qj]

even you play a lot of game everyday. I think it fine. aslong you work, eat, sleep and your happy. purpose of life is depends of person. if person think that gaming is most fun thing in life, what wrong about spending time on gaming, it there life. purpose of life doesn't need to be "long life span" "healthy diet" "having girl friend". Not everyone like it. Why you think it is soo problematic to play game. if it fun, it fine. Winner of life is who enjoy life. doesn't matter HOW did you enojoy your life. {unless you enjoy life by commiting crime

[@melexdy]

May I suggest making a list about the top 10 most addictive games Or 10 cases of people destroyed by games?

[@GameQuitters]

got one coming - we're actually in the final stages of a published research scale on the addictive components of games!

[@matthewskipworth28]

I think I could start a list: 1. World of Warcraft 2. Fortnite 3. CS:GO 4. ... I think anything online (especially competitive) these days can be very addictive. Also, any RPG - building your character, exploring the virtual world, interacting with others is a significant factor... I'm curious to see the actual list GQ compiles... :D

[@melexdy]

@@matthewskipworth28 it has become so bad that even single player games like metal gear 5 got me hooked for good. 20 hours in and I decided I didnt like it but somehow I was already addicted, spending real money for recourses... I blame myself but this companies are exploiting our human nature to get more money...

[@Newyorkisabiiiiiggcity]

So are you saying video games are inherintly addictive? And that if i continue to play i WILL 100% get addicted eventually? Is that your claim? Or is it just a possability of addiction? Please answer

[@DavidCosmanCozySmash]

It's very interesting to hear those opening statements from those representing the industry. Not too long ago they were touting that games were not addictive and justifying loot boxes. But today, almost all modern platforms ubiquitously have some kind of parental controls options in place, and there has been a ton of pushback against loot systems en masse (even from governments). You are doing great work with these videos. Video games are definitely designed to be addictive. I played through the aforementioned Resident Evil 4 remake not very long ago; after completing the story, the game will also show you a rank, grading how well you played the game. From a game design perspective, I see no other reason to insert a grade at the end of the game, other than to encourage those who really liked the game to have another go at it and keep them hooked. Personally, I felt insulted that they showed me that. I already know the games story and settings, replaying it again sounds like a huge waste of time to me. I'll stick to my "B" grade and move on with my life.

[@GameQuitters]

Thanks for watching and sharing your perspective

[@adammohammed397]

Are video games addictive? I'd say "No more than a good book." Reading a book is a relaxing activity, and sometimes I start reading and at the end I'm like "Did a whole hour really pass?" A simple measure might be to keep a clock on your desk as you play so you don't lose track of time, and play only when you complete necessary obligations and stop playing at midnight.

[@GameQuitters]

Books are nowhere comparable to video games. 😂😂😂

[@Ben-pk4cv]

I can't count the times I failed to quit at midnight using a clock. I'm over 3 years game free!

[@javierrivasruiz1154]

tambien hay libros malos

[@Siegfried5846]

Intellectually dishonest. You are most likely an addict trying to justify your addiction.

[@Siegfried5846]

​@@Ben-pk4cv Good work.

[@jimbomacgee3499]

For sure games are made to be addictive. Companies need $ and can’t have people only spending $10-20 once. They can only make big $ by getting their consumers hooked. Great video, loved the bit about not becoming a better sharpshooter but actually just becoming older 👍

[@josephmark12]

This just isint true. To say that would mean that EVERY company selling any product would want their costomers to be "addicted" and come back. And you cant prove that.

[@lighting1]

hope you pin this One thing that has helped me a lot in quitting video games is playing a game when you die everything resets (rogue-like games) I played dead cells and speed runing minecraft ((while playing offline and with no online chat)) this way the more you play the more you hate gaming so you can trick your brain into hating games without craving

[@GameQuitters]

Thx for sharing

[@igydkygs00kwhi]

All you just described is nothing wrong with the games its all wrong with the person... you know this yet you continue to pump out videos about how games are evil. The things YOU enjoy YES YOU can be addictive... like anything...

[@igydkygs00kwhi]

Your videos are anti gaming propaganda. Sorry but its just true. Weather intentionally or not Nomatter what i say you wont listen to me tho. I mean your whole channel is built apon this. If you stop the money stops rollin in or whatever the reason is. So i get it. But hey if you do trully believe in the naritive your pushing then il leave you with this question. Why gaming in particular? Why not something else that has been around longer? A sport? Board game? Any other activity? Just because you cant handle it doesent mean others can. And not understanding that is your mistake. Video games CAN BE addictive just like anything else if you dont have self controll. Unlike a phisical mind altering drug. I would love to hear your opinion on this fact. Because spoiler. It is the truth. Please understand i am not coming from an addicted gamers perspective because im not one. But just someone with reason. Like many many many others before me.

[@igydkygs00kwhi]

Take it from one of the countless billions who grew up playing video games all their life and are not ANYWHERE near addictions. And the whole "ashamed or not admiting it" arguement is illogical at best and debunked compleatly at worst

[@xubious]

I think I'm lucky because the game I played all day I got perm banned. I had around 20k hours on it since 2015 and now I don't play at all. It was free to play but used cosmetics for revenue, and I got banned a day after I spent $80. The moderators in my game were upset with my playstyle and I got on their bad side I guess. I didn't let it phase me but it opened my eyes to the type of people who run the playerbase of games. They are nothing compared to what major games will do to keep people playing. It goes beyond the basics of video game addiction and veers into manipulation of competition. Competition keeps us in the flow state and drives a lot of addicted gamers to keep playing the most. Game companies know this and have been tweaking individual players performance with such subtle changes that it can make someone who doesn't understand go insane. The explanations are hard to prove, but the evidence is there. They don't hide it much now.

[@xubious]

Three things to look into if you read this post and think I am crazy: Illusion of competition, skill based hit registration, and negative aim-assist

[@stockpistol]

Video games aren't addictive I more addictive to my car than video games lmao

[@GameQuitters]

😂😂😂

[@iAusMatt]

There's so much that could strongly attract a less-balanced person though. A lot of needs I had when younger were definitely met by MMORPGs.

[@Ben-pk4cv]

It's nice that video games aren't a problem for you. That proves nothing. Thanks for sharing. 👍

[@jixaw13]

But isnt that how real life works aswell ?:D

[@JacobB-f3d]

That's a long way to say that video games will rot your brain! Keep up the good work. 👍

[@GameQuitters]

😂

[@Newyorkisabiiiiiggcity]

Last comment: These fools out here saying that gAmInG is AdIcTive then will proceed to tell you to do any other hobbirs are just brainwashed anti gaming echochamber guys who repeat the same nonsense they hear ANYTHING can be addictive if not done in moderation and even if it were true that gaming had addictive elements it is still up to the individual and weather they can handle it or not. not the games fault. But the players faut. ITS NONSENSE.

[@strikeforceable]

Destiny 2 did that to me

[@GameQuitters]

thanks for watching

[@johnny1max113]

niceeee

[@GameQuitters]

🙌🏼

[@Siegfried5846]

There should be an outright ban on video games.

[@Newyorkisabiiiiiggcity]

I compleatly agree... they should also Ban Books, Television, Sports, Pretty much any hobby in general... see?

[@Siegfried5846]

@@Newyorkisabiiiiiggcity Books and sports (playing them yourself, not watching others do so) are very good things. Television has its downsides, but is not all bad (unlike video games). It is good to limit one's TV time.

[@Newyorkisabiiiiiggcity]

@@Siegfried5846 right... so dont hold the same standard of possible addiction to other hobbys? Got it

[@Newyorkisabiiiiiggcity]

@@Siegfried5846 stuff like sports and lifting weights and running and just social life with people and freinds can ALL be addicting just like any other hobby and if u say they arent its not only ignorance but shows that thoes hobbys arent your thing and just because it isint ur thing doesent mean its not a problem for others, tldr: video games arent addictive you just cant handle them (not u specifically but the person who is addicted)

[@Siegfried5846]

@@Newyorkisabiiiiiggcity Gambling and doing drugs can be called hobbies. I'm not against all "hobbies", only those that cause harm. It's like if you wanted to stop someone from cutting down some woodlands to build a golf field, and they said "YOU HATE ALL HOBBIES!!", then that wouldn't be fair, would it?

[@josephmark12]

Your mixing engaging with addicting. But nice try. But your only fooling thoes that already hate video games because they dont understand them. Not critical thinkers.