So, many of us like to play games.

“Because it’s fun!”

Well, yeah, they are fun. But there are also other reasons why people play them.

According to this book, Glued to Games, we play video games because they satisfy one of or all the core needs in our life.

• Competence
• Autonomy
• Relatedness

 

 

Competence is the need that you are growing as an individual, becoming more powerful or skilled. Platformers like Mario or Mega Man serves under this category.

 

 

Autonomy is the need to feel you have a control you have over your life and to a degree, the world around you. Mass Effect or Skyrim plays a heavy role in this one, you can be whatever you want to be and no one can stop you.

Relatedness is the need to feel needed by others, to belong somewhere. Making a contribution and feel good about it.

 

 

Now, why did I keep saying “need?” Well, it is because we live in a relatively safe world that provides us with Food, Property and Social Stability.

Above is the Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs theory graph. It shows on how people would particularly behave when they have their needs fulfilled. Food and shelter will be anyone’s first priority then it builds upwards.

A great example is right here: Mythbusters: Duct tape special. It’s 49 minutes and 11 seconds.

In that episode, Jamie and Adam were stuck on an island with nothing but duct tape. Since they have no water, they decided that was the first thing they were going to get, then food, shelter, then enjoyment.

Back to my point, we’re living in a society that takes care of our shelter and food needs, what is next?

Love and Belonging.

We’re social creatures, we need the company of others so we can go into depression. Video games fill that need by allowing us to interact with people online, fairly easily.

Funny enough, because of our fast-paced society, a lot of us have barely any time to interact with others. Some even have trouble vocally speaking, which is another problem of its’ own.

This is a graph detailing people’s feeling of Loneliness and Social Support. As you can see, the colour of Agree is pretty long.

Which leads me to a logical argument:

Premise 1: People are lonely
Premise 2: Games offer a sense of belonging  

Conclusion: People play games to feel they belong somewhere

Now, why is this perspective important? Well, video games are amazing for many things. It can teach kids maths, help bring people together and even help cope with depression and loneliness.

This train of thought helps me start figuring out what aspects of human behaviour to study and help me make game design decisions to create a product to fill those needs. To help these people.

Because honestly, we’re all we got in this world.  Might as well help each other out.

And with that, I shall look into How I think People will Play Games.

I will share my findings with you in the near future.

Later, guys! Keep playing.