The difficulty of explaining the appeal of videogames

[mysticwolf]

This is why we play videogames: the psychological concept of flow, invented by Mihály Csíkszentmihályi

 

Flow is one of the main reasons that people play video games. This is especially true since the primary goal of games is to create entertainment through intrinsic motivation, which is related to flow. Through the balance of skill and challenge the player’s brain is aroused, with attention engaged and motivation high. Thus, the use of flow in games helps foster an enjoyable experience which in turn increases motivation and draws players to continue playing. In addition, game designers, in particular, benefit from the integration of flow principles into their game designs. Overall, the experience of play is fluid and is intrinsically psychologically rewarding independent of scores or in-game successes in the flow state.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flow_(psychology)#Gaming