What makes a game addicting?

Discussion in 'General Game Discussion and Questions' started by GameDeck, Sep 15, 2012.

  1. I'm one of those people who resisted Angry Birds until the end, then I got sucked in with version they made for the movie Rio. It's become my go-to game whenever I need a break from the world and I don't get it. It's repetitious, it's frustrating, it feels unbeatable at times and yet I keep going back.

    It makes me wonder, what is it about certain games that keep you coming back for more? What's your trigger? Is it variety? Is it graphics? Is it easy enough to win, so you keep playing? I really want to know.

    Cyn
     
  2. visionwebs

    visionwebs Well-Known Member

    Jan 24, 2012
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    What does 'addicting' mean ;)

    Any way, addictive games for me are ones that use gameplay over graphics.
     
  3. Echoseven

    Echoseven Moderator
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    Jul 19, 2011
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    There are far too many aspects to addiction, but the one common theme I've noticed is making the player feel like they've "almost" achieved something. To that end, what you need are instant restarts. If a player can't get into the action right away after you've completed/failed a level, then you're losing that buzz of achievement.
     
  4. Shadowking2214

    Shadowking2214 Well-Known Member

    Sep 13, 2012
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    If you've played left 4 dead 2 then what does it for me is the thing about that it's different every time you play,and the speacial infected,the finales,multiple campaigns,if there are any app developers than please clone left 4 dead 2 with a versus mode and offline solo mode,8 speacial infected and four characters (must all be present as AI's even if you aren't playing as them) I'd beta test it and everything :D
     
  5. skeletonlord

    skeletonlord Well-Known Member

    Apr 21, 2012
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    I get drawn in to games with good graphics personally. I also like a good story in my games. A good game needs to have story, gameplay options and good graphics.
     
  6. psj3809

    psj3809 Moderator

    Jan 13, 2011
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    Just gameplay for me. Graphics don't do it for me or we'll all be playing the latest x box game. Seen too many games over the years with great graphics but dire gameplay.

    That's why retro games are so popular as the gameplay for them are often (not always) very good so you don't worry about the graphics
     
  7. foxmulderino

    foxmulderino Well-Known Member

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    the person who plays the game of course
     
  8. LOLavi

    LOLavi Well-Known Member

    May 23, 2011
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    Gameplay over graphics. Mc3's gameplay was superior to mc2 before and I played it for over 300 hours. Then hackers and lag ruined it and I went back to mc2 which has worse graphics but superior gameplay ATM.
     
  9. jameshood

    jameshood New Member

    Sep 20, 2012
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    Graphics and the best features of the game can an human being to game addicted.
     
  10. TheFrost

    TheFrost Well-Known Member

    Nov 18, 2010
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    This ^ is what I think too, 100%
     
  11. GeekyDad

    GeekyDad Well-Known Member

    Jan 14, 2012
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    Fair rewards for the time and effort you invest. Too much given, and it becomes boring; too little, and a game becomes loathsome. Game makers should be considering what they themselves would want to play, not simply how to try and squeeze money out of people. It's a delicate balance to strike that perfect formula.
     
  12. Primoz

    Primoz Well-Known Member

    Aug 14, 2012
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    #12 Primoz, Sep 20, 2012
    Last edited: Sep 20, 2012
    Its zombies - as in COD zombies :p

    Seriously though, there is no recipe for addiction (gaming addiction). It just has to be a good mix of graphics and gameplay (story not that much), since the game has to have a good replay value. Of course it also helps if there are highscores, or even better - online multiplayer. Oh, and the game has to be challenging.
     
  13. smegly

    smegly Well-Known Member

    Mar 27, 2012
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    It's very specific to the individual. I personally don't like Angry Birds, although I do think they are well-made games.
     
  14. bacon-N-eggs

    bacon-N-eggs Well-Known Member

    Mar 17, 2012
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    Loot drops!!!! It's ALL about the loot DROPZzzzzzzz!!!!!! Hahaha

    Zombies also help!!!!! :D
     

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