Gaming has become a ubiquitous form of entertainment, and one of the key reasons for this is because of the sense of accomplishment and achievement that players get from gaming. As humans, we chase that winning feeling, and through gaming, you have more control over achieving that. You determine what game you want to play, how you want that sense of accomplishment and also what difficulty you want to experience in order to get there, whether it be very easy or extremely difficult.
However, this sense of accomplishment, while compelling, can often be an illusion. The concept of the “illusion of accomplishment” in gaming refers to the psychological phenomenon where players feel a sense of achievement that may not correspond to real-world skills or progress.
This article delves into the key details behind the illusion of accomplishment and its implications for gamers and society.
The Psychology of Achievement
As humans, we are hardwired to seek achievement and recognition. This is literally just in human nature from the days we first landed on the planet. We hunted for food, for survival. Surviving was the biggest sense of achievement you could get. From then, it’s progressed to the point where we are today. Survival now is a lot easier than it was all that time ago, with everything we have at our disposal in this day and age, however, what hasn’t changed is that hunger and desire to feel accomplishment or accomplish something, no matter how big or small, significant or insignificant.
Accomplishments trigger the release of dopamine, a neurotransmitter associated with pleasure and reward. In the real world, achieving goals often requires sustained effort, skill development, and overcoming significant challenges. In contrast, games are designed to offer a streamlined path to achievement. Game designers meticulously craft experiences that provide a steady stream of rewards, ensuring players are consistently engaged and motivated.
The Design of Illusory Accomplishments
Game developers use various strategies to create a sense of accomplishment. These include:
Progression Systems
Many games feature leveling systems, skill trees, and achievements that provide a clear and measurable sense of progress. Each level-up or unlocked skill is a small victory, keeping players hooked. This is so important in order to keep people engaged. Players will literally sit playing games for hours to push for a new level or rank that will help them unlock the next item. This is one of the biggest achievements in gaming.
Instant Feedback
Games offer immediate feedback on actions, reinforce behaviors, and provide a continuous sense of accomplishment. This feedback loop is crucial for maintaining player engagement. This is why when you play games, they make such a big deal about ranking up or leveling up. This’ll be shown in the sense of some pop-up graphics, exciting sounds and lots more.
Depending on the game, there may not be a new level from completing a mission. Take GTA, for example. In which case, there is usually a cut scene where you’ve helped someone and they thank you for it, then even reward you with some in-game money.
Artificial Challenges
While real-world achievements often require substantial effort, games can create challenges that are difficult yet surmountable with time and practice. This balance ensures players feel challenged without being discouraged.
Social Validation
Multiplayer games often include leaderboards, ranks, and achievements that provide social validation. Competing with others and earning recognition within a community can amplify the sense of accomplishment.
Competition within this is so common, whether it be friends comparing their ranks and not going offline until they’ve achieved a higher rank than their friend, just to then boast about afterward, giving them a huge sense of accomplishment.
Example Of Games With Frequent Rewards
Online slots are one of the most popular forms of online games. They offer many different rewards, quite frequently in most cases. The frequency level is part of the “Return To Player” aspect of online slots, which is expressed as a percentage.
Return to Player, or RTP, represents the amount a player should/ can expect to win from their wager. No game has over 100%, as that would mean that overall, the casino would not make any money. Therefore they are all under 100% and typically sit around the 95-96% mark on average.
If you’re a fan of slot games or want to experience the sense of achievement from online slots, you can do so by developing a winning strategy for RTP games with help from slot experts like www.johnslots.com/en/ who showcase all the best slot games, the games with the highest RTPs and also what gaming features they have that might entice you to play.
If an online slot game has an RTP of, say, 96%, then that means for every $100 you wager, you can expect a return of $96. But don’t think for one moment that this will always be the case because it won’t. In some instances, you may win a huge amount of money, perhaps 300% of what you wagered, and then in other instances, you may lose a lot. Overall, it is just an average percentage based on heavy testing and lots of outcomes.
The Disconnect from Reality
The illusion of accomplishment in gaming arises from the disconnect between in-game achievements and real-world skills or progress. While mastering a game can require significant cognitive and motor skills, these skills are often not directly transferable to real-life situations. For instance, becoming a top player in a first-person shooter game might not translate to improved physical fitness or professional success. Quite the opposite in some aspects as spending so much of each day gaming in such a manner will lead you not to do much exercise, maybe cause you to eat unhealthily as you’ve not got the time to manage your diet, track your calories or even cook food so you resort to fast food. This disconnect can lead to a false sense of productivity, where players invest substantial time and effort into virtual achievements at the expense of real-world goals.
Implications for Gamers
The illusion of accomplishment in gaming can positively and negatively affect players. On the positive side, games can provide a sense of purpose and achievement, which can be especially valuable for individuals facing challenges in their personal or professional lives. The confidence and skills gained in gaming can sometimes transfer to real-world tasks, such as improved hand-eye coordination or problem-solving abilities.
However, the negative implications can be significant. Excessive gaming, driven by the pursuit of in-game accomplishments, can lead to neglect of real-world responsibilities and relationships. The time spent on gaming might detract from activities that offer tangible benefits, such as education, career development, or physical exercise. Additionally, the artificial nature of in-game achievements can lead to dissatisfaction when players compare their virtual successes to real-world outcomes.
How To Navigate The Illusion And Keep Strong Minded
To navigate the illusion of accomplishment in gaming, players can adopt several strategies like the ones we’ve listed below:
Mindful Gaming
Being aware of the design elements that create a sense of accomplishment can help players critically evaluate their gaming habits and set healthy boundaries. Gaming is fun and there’s no reason why anyone shouldn’t enjoy it. But understand that it’s important to achieve and accomplish things in the ‘real’ world and not just within video games. Gaming is best used as a sense of escapism and really does have its mental benefits.
Balanced Lifestyle
Ensuring a balanced lifestyle between gaming and other life activities can help mitigate the potential negative effects. Setting aside time for physical exercise, social interactions, and personal development is crucial.
Real-World Goals
We vaguely touched on this before, but setting and pursuing real-world goals alongside gaming can provide a more balanced sense of achievement. This could involve learning new skills, pursuing hobbies, or advancing in one’s career.
Healthy Communities
Engaging with gaming communities that promote a healthy balance between gaming and real-life activities can provide support and encouragement for maintaining this balance.
