I'm really not a big fan of video games. Not to say I don't like them, they just fail to hold my attention (this may have more to do with my short attention span and less to do with the merit of said games). The only game I've played for an extended period of time has been the Sims, but I tend to get bored with the actual gameplay pretty quickly, so I'll just cheat and get some extra money, then use it build amazing houses. Now that I think about it, the self-design aspect of the Sims is the most appealing part of the game. The actual interaction between Sims is pretty repetitive and predictable. In the video we watched, Robin Hunicke briefly talked about the 'reward system' that is utilised in video games in order to push the player through the game. For me, with most games, those rewards are just not satisfying, as they are not tangible. Especially in a game like the Sims, which requires quite a lot of repetitive work for a very small reward (too much like real life perhaps?). However I can see how video game users would respond to this reward system, particularly in games which involve interaction with other players, or a story-based game where new information is revealed as you progress. I think that studying this aspect of gaming can provide important insights into the motivations of humans and why we are driven to achieve, both in games and life. Without some reward or goal to strive for, there can be no motivation to complete the tasks or challenges we are presented with. I think this reward system that is used in games, has the most merit in terms of academic study.
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