Why Are Video Games so Intriguing?

Have you ever wondered why you play video games? It is because video games fill in basic needs that our brains desire, which are competence, autonomy, and relatedness. These three desires are always in your head, no matter where you are. Video games are a perfect way to satisfy these three desires. They allow players to control the game, be independent at times, and help strengthen bonds between friends.

One of the most common tools a player will use to play a video game is the controller. This device gives the player complete control over the actions of the character in the video game. The ability to master the situations in the game creates a feeling of competence and sense of achievement through mastery of this make-believe world. The more one plays video games the better they will get at them. This growth and improvement creates a feeling of accomplishment in a player’s gaming skills (Why People Play Video Games). Just as the controller allows you to feel in charge of the game it also creates a confidence in your own abilities.

As a player’s skills grow, confidence in his abilities will grow along with it. With increased self confidence, they will increase their playing time. As they play more their confidence will continue to grow. This cycle gives a feeling of autonomy, which is a need to have control over our actions. The need for autonomy can be explained through the terrible twos. As parents tell their children to do something they will simply say no to their parents refusing to do what they are told. This is where they express their independence and decide which paths they would like to take (Why People Play Video Games). In a video game you have control over every decision your character makes. Just like two year olds, players like feeling in control of their actions. Despite the autonomous nature of gaming there is still a social aspect involved.

The social aspect involved with gaming is called relatedness, the want to fit in and matter to others. Video games help us reach this goal by allowing us to relate to others. They also allow players to interact with friends in an online game or even play with non-player characters. As a teen plays video games, he or she will play with others online with others 75% of the time. Roughly 50% of those are friends they know in real life (Why Do Teens Play Video Games). Studies have also shown that even playing a video game with a fake person will give a person the sense of relatedness. This is the reason why some games are built around the player helping a non-player character (Why People Play Video Games). One game that allows players to relate to others is Fortnite, which allows players to strategize and interact with friends.

All three of these needs, competence, autonomy, and relatedness, contribute to the satisfaction of the human brain. There are many methods of receiving these needs, but a very effective method is through video games. These desires will never go away and playing video games helps fulfill them. Although video games are fun, our brain also uses the experiences in them to help players grow and learn. If only teenagers could convince their parents to allow them to play video games more.