Skinner Box and modern gaming

[Cyper]

Quite interesting video I came though. Maybe some people have already seen it but I'll post it for those who don't. When I studied psychology I read about this theory and how it can change peoples behaviour. Another interesting theory is Ivan Pavlovs theory known as ''Pavlovs dogs''. If we think about it, a lot of similar stuff is actually implemented not only in games but other stuff aswell.

Does it work?

Obviously. In terms of videogames I have experienced similar things aswell even thought its not taken to the extreme in any sense, simply because I am not very fond of artificial skills and awards and I don't consider them as a big deal to continue to do something. Games such as Robot Unicorn Attack is interesting in this sense lol. Its also interesting how artificial skills actually can make you feel skilled (for instance in FPS) when you're actually worse than you think.

Watch and enjoy.


Extra Credits: The Skinner Box - YouTube

[melipone]

Good video, saw it before. This article has similar themes, worth a read:

http://www.cracked.com/article_18461...-addicted.html

Every gamer should be aware of this stuff imo.

Progression and levelling is OK to me though, as long as its implemented in a certain way. They should compliment a well developed game design or story, rather than substitute it.

[I. Kant]

Yeah, was definitely a real eye-opener when I came across it a few months ago, whilst on a playthrough of AC2 (the eye-opening element was really brought home when there was this Animus-addiction wake-up scene, which I experienced as being simply beyond meta).

Especially melipone's link is worth a read. Publicise, think over, try to change your problem behaviour (if any). Go back to square one every so often. At least, that's what it feels to me, sadly.

[Reise]

Long story short: Stop being a sucker.

[LightsabeR]

Extra Credits is such a great show. Most of their stuff is definitely worth checking out:

http://www.penny-arcade.com/patv/show/extra-credits