10 Clever Ways Developers Make You Addicted To Video Games

9. Generating The 'Tetris Effect'

The 'Tetris Effect' is a term coined in the mid-nineties by Wired writer Jeffrey Goldsmith, to describe the way that the colors and layout of Tetris stay in your head long after you've stopped playing. Many Tetris fans surely have vivid memories of closing their eyes after marathon sessions only to see the game's famous shapes falling slowly in front of them.

Though the first appearance of this effect was a happy accident, developers have since learned that intentionally designing it can reap tremendous benefits. While the Tetris Effect can occur as a simple byproduct of an already addictive game, by designing a game around aesthetically coherent color palettes and repetitive motions, it is actually possible for developers to increase the chances of it occurring.

From rhythm games to Angry Birds, a variety of titles have reaped a hefty amount of sales by ensuring that you never stop seeing the game play out in front of you.