Gaming is a very popular form of entertainment. Many people enjoy it. But what exactly makes playing games such as Call of Dragons (download Call of Dragons here) so much fun?
Flow
Gamers can sometimes get so absorbed in a game and forget about time. That’s called flow. And how can you experience flow? By playing a game that is just a little more challenging than you can handle or are used to. Games are no longer interesting if they are too easy or too difficult. Or if nothing more can be achieved in the game. You can also experience flow in other activities. For example, when running, painting, or playing a musical instrument.
A game must therefore be challenging, but feasible. The longer you play, the better you get at a game. That’s why games often get harder as you get further into the game. As a result, the game remains challenging and fun. This allows you to experience flow every time you game.
Feeling good mentally
There are several characteristics of games that make the game fun. Think, for example, of clear goals, rewards, and a sense of control. These traits make gamers feel mentally good. That’s why they like the game. To feel good mentally, there are three different things you need:
- Autonomy: Decide for yourself what you do;
- Competence: Being good at what you do;
- Connectedness: Feeling like you belong to something.
Because you feel good mentally while gaming, you come back to the game again and again. That’s what makes games so attractive.
Autonomy: Decide for yourself what you do
It’s nice to feel that you’re in control. And that you have the freedom to make your own choices. You can then decide for yourself what you do. In many games, you can achieve a goal in different ways. As a gamer, you can choose your own path. There are several examples of how gamers can control what they do. For example, gamers can:
- choose what goal they want to achieve,
- walk around freely in the game,
- making or building things,
- choose what their character looks like in the game.
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Competence: Being good at what you do
It’s nice to feel like you can do something well. If you’re good at something, you want to do it more often. You also want to become even better at it. Games often start easy and then become a bit more difficult. It is also often very clear what you have to learn or achieve in order to progress. For example, you see how many points you still have to get for the next level. Or because you have to perform a difficult action to move forward. This allows you to practice with a clear goal. Meanwhile, you feel that you are getting better and better.
In the game, you can collect things such as items, weapons, and outfits. These collections and rewards can give a sense of pride and pleasure. Just like winning an opponent in a sports match. In a game, you can quickly get good at something. And getting compliments for that from other gamers. This increases self-confidence.
Connectedness: Feeling like you belong to something
Social contact in games creates the feeling that you belong to something. This way you can play with or against friends who are present in the same room. You can also play online with gamers all over the world. In the game, gamers can chat and collaborate with each other. As a result, they make online friendships.
Own interests
There are many different types of games. Gamers can choose a game that suits their interest. For example, someone may feel like competition because they enjoy winning and performing better than others. But gamers can also start gaming because they feel like contact with other gamers. Or because they want to relax and sit ‘in another world’. The gamer discovers the game world and empathizes with the main character. Just like watching movies or reading books.
Conclusion
What makes playing games so attractive? In any case, these are:
- The flow. Immersing yourself in a game feels pleasant and rewarding;
- Feeling good mentally. That’s because you:
- You can decide for yourself what you do (autonomy)
- Are good at what you do (competence)
- Feel like you belong to something (connectedness)
- Choose a game that suits your interest. For example, a game with a competition or a quiet puzzle game.
