The Psychology of Video Games

Below is a list of what I consider “the best of” psychologyofgames.com so far. It’s a subjective list, but it’s roughly based on my happiness with the articles, the amount and quality of discussion in the comments, and how often it’s been shared around the ‘net.

1. APB: All Points Bulletin or Aggregated Payment Bias? Both.
2. Deindividuation and Antisocial Behavior
3. Endowed Progress Effect and Game Quests
4. The Status Quo Effect (Or, Pay Without Play)
5. How Social Identity Theory Predicted the Console Wars of ’07
6. Three Reasons We Buy Those Crazy Steam Bundles
7. Phat Loot and Neurotransmitters in World of Warcraft
8. Psychological Reactance and Bioware Games
9. The Glitcher’s Dilemma: Social Dilemmas in Games
10. The Power of You. No, Wait, Others. I Meant The Power of Others
11. The Psychology of Game of the Year Debates

Wait, that’s like 11, isn’t it? Well, whatever. The math is close enough for psychology.