Hand over $4.99 or Spider-Man Gets It
All it may take to get people to spend money in free to play games is one well placed countdown timer.
The Psychology of Destiny’s Loot Systems
Destiny’s loot system leaves out one very important component that could make playing the game more compulsive and habit forming. But it adds in another that might be prolonging player enjoyment after getting a sweet loot drop.
Cheap Beer and the Psychology of PlayStation Now Pricing
Sony just launched its PlayStation Now service that lets you rent access to streaming games. The pricing seems a bit odd to some, but it actually uses some well established psychological tricks to nudge you towards the option that Sony wants you to take. Allow me to explain…
Three Books on the Psychology of Video Games
Hey, while I work on my own book about the psychology of video games, here are three good reads on the topic to tide you over.
Frustration vs. Video Game Violence in Real-Life Aggression
Does violent content in video games cause violence in real-life? Or might something more mundane like frustration over controls and difficulty offer an alternative explanation?
When Marketing to Gamers Backfires
Products frequently try to appeal to group membership when marketing to gamers, but a new study shows when this “you’re not a real gamer if you don’t buy this” approach is likely to backfire.
Thomas’s Dark Soul Is Alone
What do Dark Souls and Thomas Was Alone have in common with a cartoon from 1944? They all illustrate how we’re biased to fill in story gaps based on our own experiences and beliefs.
The Psychology of Video Games: The Book Is Coming!
Have you ever wanted to read about this stuff in book format? Good news!
Why We Love Ellie From The Last of Us
Why do we feel like we have a real relationship and feelings for characters like Ellie in The Last of Us? The psychology behind parasocial relationships explains why video games are better at this than any other medium.
You Can Cheat, But Don’t Be a Cheater
My wife was once highly offended by a cartoon mole, and the story highlights how a simple attack on self-concept can reduce the frequency and severity of cheating in video games.
Twitching and Choking: The Audience Effect in Games
Between Twitch and YouTube, many people are now gaming for an audience. What effect does this have on performance? It depends on the audience and the game.