Online games can give you the space to be yourself and explore different personalities in a safe environment without anyone knowing you in the physical world. This gives players the convenience of being able to freely explore thoughts and feelings that they may not be comfortable with anywhere else. In addition to helping promote cognitive skills, such as creative thinking and problem-solving, online social games can be valuable tools for social learning. When they're in a state of flow, players focus, seem to lose track of time, and feel motivated to keep playing because they're having fun.
Admittedly, one motivation tends to be more prominent than the others, but most players are guided by a combination of both (for more information on this model, visit the Quantic Foundry website). There are a number of benefits of online social gaming (for more information on this, see the benefits of social gaming), and perhaps the most obvious is the ability to connect with friends and family. In fact, video game designers and education scholars have observed that learning is a common result of gaming because a sense of fluency creates challenges and motivates players to continuously develop new and creative ways to overcome the tasks of the game. Online gaming has reduced the need for the availability of spaces such as stadiums, parks and game rooms.
Really good games can bring together all types of players, making those games go viral, in my opinion. Video games offer players options, rewards and feedback to promote this sense of free will and influence the outcome of the games they are playing. Flow states provide unique learning opportunities because the player is not only very focused on the challenges of the game, but is also determined to complete them because they are being challenged. Similarly, social motivations underlie (at least partially) all forms of online social gaming: players choose to play video games in an Internet-based community.
Video games offer many different opportunities to develop new skills or abilities and generally provide positive feedback to players as they overcome increasingly difficult challenges. For example, to succeed in online games, players often have to use a variety of social skills, such as leadership and kindness. Identity theft is a major concern for many and, therefore, the option to hide important details makes these online game apps very popular among people. With so much creativity dedicated to developing the latest games, it's no surprise that the gaming industry continues to change and develop, and it's no wonder that people are still playing.
Online games allow interaction with friends and smaller groups for a friendly match that would otherwise become a task if it had to be physically organized. In a recent article published in Cyberpsychology, Behavior and Social Networking, Lee, Lee and Choi1 investigate why people are attracted to online social games.
