Since my wife is a psychology major, I'll pipe in on the addictive quality.
Firstly, massively multiplayer games (MMOs) are designed to be addictive. The designers want you to keep paying them every month, so they need to get you deeply immersed in the game. If you keep an eye on game development journals you'll see studies mentioned. The reward system in WoW is much like a video poker machine - you mostly get worthless junk, frequently get semi-valuable stuff, and every so often get epic or rares. The little wins reward you for sticking around waiting for the big payout. Then of course you have a new shiny item to play with...
Random reinforcement is extremely strong - if a rat gets randomly rewarded by pressing a lever, and then the lever stops paying out, it will keep pressing it for a very long time.
Second, video games also keep your attention in the same way TV does; your brain is literally subverted into paying attention due to the social cues. That is why TV and games can soak up so much of your time; part of your brain actually believes you're involved in a meaningful conversation.
When you combine these two effects, it poses a very real danger to vulnerable personalities. It *is* going to get worse - increasing realism tricks your brain into paying attention while better design keeps you playing longer and longer.
Firstly, massively multiplayer games (MMOs) are designed to be addictive. The designers want you to keep paying them every month, so they need to get you deeply immersed in the game. If you keep an eye on game development journals you'll see studies mentioned. The reward system in WoW is much like a video poker machine - you mostly get worthless junk, frequently get semi-valuable stuff, and every so often get epic or rares. The little wins reward you for sticking around waiting for the big payout. Then of course you have a new shiny item to play with...
Random reinforcement is extremely strong - if a rat gets randomly rewarded by pressing a lever, and then the lever stops paying out, it will keep pressing it for a very long time.
Second, video games also keep your attention in the same way TV does; your brain is literally subverted into paying attention due to the social cues. That is why TV and games can soak up so much of your time; part of your brain actually believes you're involved in a meaningful conversation.
When you combine these two effects, it poses a very real danger to vulnerable personalities. It *is* going to get worse - increasing realism tricks your brain into paying attention while better design keeps you playing longer and longer.
