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If you haven’t played Candy Crush, then you must have at least heard about it. It is one of the most addictive mobile games ever made. Other addictive mobile games include Angry Birds and Pokémon GO.
But what makes these games so insanely addictive?
A gambling expert, Mark Griffiths, points out that it starts with games designed to deliver short-lived experiences. You can play these games between activities, such as between commutes. They help to keep you distracted and offer excellent stress relief.
Some of these games also operate on the concept of “operant conditioning.” Like casino slots games such as 918kiss, mobile games reward some actions and punish others. This conditioning compels you to keep playing to get as many rewards as possible.
According to some experts, addiction occurs around the pleasure centre of our brains. A neurotransmitter known as dopamine controls and regulates this pleasure centre. When you perform a task that stimulates the reward centre, you also stimulate the release of dopamine.
Dopamine gives you some kind of high. When you play an addictive mobile game, you stimulate the reward centre as well as dopamine production, which helps you manage your stress levels.
Other factors that make mobile games addictive include the following:
Unpredictability
If a game is predictable, it becomes boring. Thus, mobile games employ a concept called Random Reinforcement Schedule. RRS ensures you keep responding to the game for a longer time.
Consequently, rewards come at a steady rate. The unpredictability of the rewards makes you want to play more and more.
The Vibrant Colors and Hypnotic Sounds
The colours and sounds used in various games are usually attractive. According to a clinical psychologist, Dr Lisa Strohman, the colours capture our attention and satisfy our brains in various ways.
If you combine that with thrilling sounds and a continuously changing screen, you get yourself an addictive elixir. Mobile games are exceptionally addictive because all things shuffle and change.
Then you move to the next level. If you have a competitive spirit, you feel successful every time you level up. Mobile game developers understand this.
As such, they use highly engaging sounds and colours to create a conditioning loop that enhances the dopamine rewards push.
Easy Accessibility
Have you ever tried to lose weight but kept some junk food in your fridge? It would be easy to go back to your unhealthy eating habits.
The major disadvantage of having something at your disposal is that eventually, you won’t be able to avoid using it.
We have mobile games on our phones 24/7, which you can access whenever and wherever you want. Easy accessibility is another big reason mobile games are so addictive.
Fortunately, there are several ways to deal with mobile game addiction. One of the most effective ways is to track your screen time. You can do this using your Android or iOS device’s screen time program. By knowing how much time you spend on mobile games, you can figure out how to restore balance in your life.
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