10 Reasons All Video Games Are Starting To Suck

A lot of addictions start off as fun, but quickly come across as monotonous. Sadly, gamers are well-aware of this, since many modern titles are designed so you keep playing, whether or not you want to.

For example, many games have a reward system, which offers gifts to the player if they perform a specific activity within a certain timeframe. Even though there are days where you might want a break from video games, this technique forces you to keep coming back, because it makes you feel like you're missing out if you don't.

The scary thing about these addictive methods is the fact they're deliberate. In recent years, more and more games are following the rules of Skinner box conditioning, which was designed to mold the behaviour of lab rats.

Gamers are rewarded with an impressive visual and a relaxing chime after they perform simple tasks, to encourage them to keep playing. Because reward systems are constant and ever-changing, it gives players a scheduled dopamine fix and makes them feel like they can never stop playing.

The fact that developers are tweaking their games to hijack our brains isn't just depressing, it's frightening.