Think of one of your favorite pieces of media, such as a story that really resonated with you. Perhaps The Lord of the Rings series is a favorite. At the surface you may have enjoyed the characters, such as Frodo and Gandolf, and how they handled the situation presented (destroying the ring). Perhaps the compelling setting, Middle Earth, fills your imagination. While these may have drawn you into the story, there may be deeper, more personal connections that stuck with you to make it one of your favorites.
Similar to books, movies, and art, video games connect and resonate with their users at multiple levels. Video games are an immersive piece of art with an interactive storytelling experience. Games engage players through various genres like story driven adventures, action packed challenges, strategic planning, creative sandbox worlds, and simulations.
To read more about types of games, solo and social play, and how they connect with the brain, check out this post.
In this article, we will explore the many different ways games resonate with players. As with other forms of media the particular motivations of players are unique to each person and the examples below offer only a sample of the possibilities. To understand your reason, consider processing with someone such as a trusted friend, family member, or therapist. This kind of discussion can help challenge perspectives, provoke thought, and inspire creativity. Below are some of the many possible takeaways from reflection.
Feel Powerful
Agency
Games offer players a sense of control and mastery, providing opportunities to achieve goals, overcome challenges, and experience a sense of accomplishment. Especially when real life feels chaotic, players can experience fulfillment from control over their own achievement.
Empowerment
Through their character in the game, players can wield abilities, tools, and powers they may not have in real life, enabling a feeling of prowess.
Challenge
Overcoming difficult tasks in games boosts self-confidence and reinforces belief in one’s abilities. These challenges stimulate problem-solving and strategic thinking, offering mental exercise and satisfaction. They provide a safe space to experience failure and success, fostering resilience. The progress and mastery gained are deeply fulfilling, motivating players to keep improving their skills.
Creative Expression
A Canvas
Sandbox games give players tools to create images, objects, or entire worlds. Like a blank canvas or ball of clay, people can engage in creative expression and experience fulfillment through the process.
Escape
Immersive Worlds
Games create detailed settings and stories that take players away from their daily lives, providing relaxation and a mental break. Rest and recovery are essential elements to overall wellness and stress response.
Role-Playing
Taking on different roles and personas allows players to explore different aspects of themselves and experience situations outside their everyday life. Role play can be a powerful tool for self-reflection and building toward becoming a better version of the self.
Novelty
Each new game offers challenges, features, and settings for players to engage with. Players may replay games for a combination of nostalgia, familiarity, and/or challenge. Challenges such as a higher difficulty setting or self-imposed limitation make a familiar experience feel new and maintain interest.
Social Connection
Community
Multiplayer games provide spaces for social interaction, helping players build friendships and feel part of a community. These relationships can help create a sense of belonging. This can also take the form of watching video streamers online who broadcast their gameplay for audiences to watch. Community can develop in the comment section, through a dedicated discord (a communication app), or even by meeting someone in real life and finding out they share the same favorites.
Cooperation/Competition
Collaborative and competitive gameplay foster teamwork and friendly competition, deepening social relationships.
Nostalgia
Retro Gaming
Playing classic games or remakes of old favorites can evoke memories of past experiences, providing comfort. This experience can be a helpful “rock” for the player to hold onto if they are experiencing instability in another area of their life.
Shared History
Revisiting games from childhood or early adulthood can be a way to reconnect with friends or family who share those memories, strengthening ties through shared experiences.
Like other forms of media, video games provide a medium for exploring personal interests, challenging oneself, and connecting with others. By understanding the various motivations and personal connections behind their favorite games, players can gain insights into themselves and their world, making gaming a powerful tool for reflection, growth, and connection.
Now that we have explored the kinds of games that exist and the motivations of players, we can better find the balance between healthy gaming and when it becomes detrimental. In the next article we will look more into finding this balance with playing video games, imposing limits, and practicing self-control.
About the Author
Kerry Järvi, LCPC is a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (LCPC) and therapist at Montgomery County Counseling Center in Rockville, MD. Kerry earned his Master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at Antioch University in Seattle, Washington in 2020 and holds a Play Therapy Certificate from the Antioch Center for Play Therapy.
His therapeutic approach integrates play therapy, mindfulness practices, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), and art-based therapy techniques. Kerry excels in working with children and adolescents, focusing on specialized treatment for ADHD and ASD.
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