Why Gamers and Casino Players Share Similar Motivations

We often think of the worlds of gaming and online casino-style gambling, of the kind provided by MrQ online casino games, as separate and entirely distinct from one another. We might even make value judgments about one that we do not make about the other. But the truth is that there is considerable overlap between the two, and that both industries have learned from one another over the years.

Let’s look at why both kinds of gamers are looking for something quite similar, and how this can be leveraged to create more engaging games.

Achievement and Mastery Drive Engagement

The sense of progress and accomplishment can be immensely satisfying. Fans of role-playing games might think of an experience bar gradually filling, before an animation and a sound signify that a character has ‘levelled up’. Players, too, can get better at the game itself. If the mechanics are sufficiently deep and rewarding, this can provide a great reason to carry on playing.

Social Interaction and Competitive Play

When many different players are pushed into the same digital environment, then their social psychology will begin to kick in. They might try to win status within a community, and to score points over their immediate rivals. This is most effective when players are evenly matched – in both skill and disposition. Consequently, league systems and ladders are often a great feature in competitive gameplay.

The Role of Reward Systems and Dopamine

Dopamine is a neurotransmitter that regulates our desire to pursue our goals. It works when we associate a cue with a reward, and take the former as a sign that we should work toward the latter. So, you might see a notification on your phone, open it up, and be rewarded with a funny meme that a colleague has sent to you.

Modern social media companies have learned to leverage this to drive engagement. But game developers are the undisputed masters of it.

Emotional and Cognitive Triggers

A gaming environment has been crafted to trigger our emotions – including excitement, joy, and anger. They also tend to lean into our cognitive biases and make us more likely to fall into traps and fallacies. When we play, we are often being guided by emotion rather than rational risk-assessment. The right combination of images, sounds and animations can help to deepen the immersion, and to make the experience that much more compelling.