The fact that gaming is considered to be a mind-killing pastime is curious. In some cases, yes, spending hours on end simply pressing buttons to shoot random objects can be extremely monotonous. But this isn't always the case. In fact, when it comes to the world's most popular game, players insist that they gain distinct psychological benefits from the long hours they put in. Why is this? Is there something about WoW that really sets it apart from other games? Many people would say yes.
Highly sophisticated games are very similar to online casino games in many respects. The rewards progression in both of them acts in very similar ways. The best casino games keep players hooked as they provide gradual, progressively appealing prizes, even if players can't obtain those prizes right away.
Now, let's take a closer look at WoW in all its intricacies and see what makes it so appealing to players.
Continuous Dopamine Release
Whereas some games offer only short-term highs, having the goal of gradually accumulating additional gear, items, and reaching new levels provides a steady thrill to players that keeps them continuously excited to do more. In particular:
- WoW offers several ways for players to reach particular milestones. This can take place through earning "reputation" points, campaign progression, completing raids, and collecting things like battle pets, toys, and transmog sets.
- Reaching new levels is a major achievement. WoW is challenging, and therefore getting to new levels in the game gives players a real sense of satisfaction in having completed something difficult.
- Gaining power can be immensely satisfying. Players can change high-tier gear to alter their appearance. These changes indicate success and allow players to display their achievements publicly.
- Players learn new skills as they progress. There are a lot of tricky mechanics involved in WoW. When players practice certain skills and learn to coordinate with others and strategize more carefully, they get both the satisfaction of having mastered certain skills, as well as the desire to learn new ones.
Each of these progressions provides players with a major rush, as well as an increased desire to keep going further in the game. Even small letdowns can be motivational.
The Variable Ratio Schedule of Rewards
This might sound like a complicated psychological concept, but it is actually an interesting one. Not all games utilize this idea, so this is another way in which WoW stands out in the psychological benefits it provides players. Some of the manifestations of the idea include:
- Defeating a dungeon boss for certain rewards. When a player defeats a dungeon boss, that boss will drop a certain amount of loot. Every defeat might bring about a different result, though. It is kind of like pulling a slots handle: you don't know what you will get, but the anticipation keeps you trying again and again. Some rewards are great.
- Bad luck protection. WoW utilizes bad luck protection. What this means is that when a player tries and fails repeatedly to get a rare item – such as a mount, tier piece, or precious weapon – the game mechanics automatically increase the players' odds. This keeps them from losing hope and continuing to plow ahead.
- Determination in raid progression. When a group fails to defeat a boss in Raid Finder, the raid's total health and damage dealt increases gradually, eventually to 50% of the original amount. This ensures that the reward will be great once the group eventually completes the raid.
We all know that rewards are satisfying. But they are particularly satisfying when the engine supplying them utilizes sophisticated psychological methods of keeping them coming at just the right times.
Social Benefits
Finally, there are many social benefits to be gained from WoW. It is, of course, the original massive multiplayer game. And there is a reason it has retained its supreme popularity over the years. Among the benefits are:
- The shared experience of playing as a group. We all know that sports teams bond tremendously through all that they experience together. The same is true of multiplayer games. Completing a raid is not easy, and players have to collaborate intensively to get it done.
- The need to do one's part. Related to this is the desire that these games instill in players to live up to group expectations. When a group gets super excited about a particular outcome, it is expected that each member will be equally excited and try their best to make it come about.
- The ability to gain status within a group. Another advantage, of course, is the ability to stand out as an individual within a group. In completing Mythic+ and raiding challenges, players elevate themselves to a rare status in the game.
People say that gamers tend to become isolated and lonely. But these facts prove that this isn't necessarily true – at least in WoW.
And So Much More
This is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the worldwide appeal of WoW. With each new addition, the game becomes more and more refined, and consequently more appealing to players. We can only speculate about what might come in the future. Enhancements might take the form of improved graphics, more sophisticated storylines, or any number of other things. But one thing is for sure: whatever the new changes might be, they will surely keep people engaged all over the world and continuously coming back for more.