For some time now, experts have been trying to figure out why people want to waste away hours of their lives dawdling in chat rooms and playing video games.  It has been reported that the average 21-year-old has already spent 10,000 hours playing video games.  Researchers keep trying to figure out why people would rather spend their time solving pointless problems in 3D games

instead of focusing on real life. What is it about gaming that keeps people going back for more?

Why is Gaming Different?

When you play computer games, you often find your avatar doing the same things you do in real life.  You have to work, learn new skills, perform repetitive chores, solve problems, and do many other tasks that you don’t actually enjoy doing in real life.  So why are we willing to spend hours online playing games that require us to do many of the same things we dislike doing at work or school?

Now that gaming is coming of age, gamers themselves are becoming the experts studying the topic and asking the question , “What makes gaming different?”

And the Answer Is

Researchers are finding that gamers, like most human beings, appreciate receiving rewards and encouragement for their efforts.  When they play video games, each accomplishment earns them recognition.  Though they may struggle and fail repeatedly, they are continuously praised for their efforts and encouraged to keep striving, both by other players and the computer itself.

Sometimes it doesn’t take a scientist to figure out that people like to do what makes them feel good, what makes them feel like they have accomplished a goal, and that their labors are appreciated.  Too often, in real life, we forget to recognize the efforts people make to accomplish the little things and that may result in discouraging them from attempting the big ones.

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