Video games are addictive for different reasons and people are unique in a way that they find their own niches as to why they are specifically so addictive to the video game or video games that they play. However, there are general patterns that help explain why video games are addictive. There are three main reasons that are generally the most common that make people addicted to video games. 

Video games offer a sense of freedom to users. Video games offer a person an immersive virtual reality experience where they can avoid the normal constraints of the outside world, especially if someone is socially anxious. Games offer someone with this social anxiety a short-term escape from the outside world and a sense of control and freedom. 

However, this comes at high long-term cost if a person can’t learn to socialize amongst one’s peers. Video games allow you to experiment with different identities, giving the player a chance to experience new identities instantly without the repercussions of the long-term social implication identity change can cause. 

For example, people can be stars on the virtual football field by making a franchise mode in Madden, where they can put their name on a player and be a star. Video games have a sense of adventure linked to them as many games, like the Red Dead Redemption series or the Assassin Creed series, where the player has the ability to explore a vast open world. If life seems boring and mundane to a person, a game with an environment as vast and interesting as one in Assassin’s Creed Valhalla will give a person the thrill of adventure. 

Another reason that hits home for many that make video games so intriguing is the fact that they offer a sense of purpose. Video games usually come with a campaign and multiplayer mode where there are achievements set up for the player to earn throughout playing the game. These games offer a sense of progress throughout the game. 

For instance, in Call of Duty Modern Warfare, the more you play multiplayer and the more you help capture objectives and eliminate enemies, the more XP you earn towards your player which in turn upgrades their rank. The higher rank you are, gives you the ability to unlock more equipment, scorestreaks, and perks that can give you an advantage in the game. 

Similar applications go into the campaign mode of games like Call of Duty as well. These games offer a sense of progression giving the player the rewarding feeling of achievement when they progress through the game. However, video games with no defined endpoint encourage infinite play. Like with Assassin’s Creed and Red Dead Redemption games they have side quests and other game opportunities to play after you have beat the campaign to keep players interested in playing the game after the main campaign is finished. 

These video games offer a sense of connection where players can interact with each other through video games by talking through microphones and headsets. Video games can help people bond with a team of individuals as everyone is aiming towards completing the mission objective. 

By making these connections through the game, people end up connecting with like-minded individuals and make friendships through these games. There have been many cases where people have built real friendships that blossomed through the interwebs of online gaming. These video games also connect you with a grand narrative that leaves you touched at the end like a person feels after watching a thrilling movie. In Red Dead Redemption 2, I was more connected and intrigued with that ending than I was with any movie I’ve watched because of how invested I was into the story and game. 

In conclusion, video games are a fun hobby that can be enjoyed as long as one enjoys their gaming time responsibly. Like with most things in life, too much of one thing will cause an addiction that usually ends up being problematic in one’s life. Video games can be addictive if abused, but can also have positive effects as long as they are enjoyed properly. This being said, hopefully you the reader were able to get some more insight on why video games are so addictive and the reasoning behind it.