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Glued to Games: How Video Games Draw Us In and Hold Us Spellbound (New Directions in Media) Hardcover – February 18, 2011
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Editorial Reviews
Review
• Presents the first model of game motivation based on established theories of human motivation and emotion
• Tackles highly interesting and popular topics in the sphere of gaming from a new and unique perspective, including game violence and game addiction
• Focuses on the fundamentals of game psychology and both its positive and negative implications, rather than promoting a narrow perspective
• Images from classic and modern video games illustrate key points and make the information accessible to all readers
• A bibliography of numerous psychological studies support the author's underlying motivational model
"This accessible survey of the psychology of video games serves as a useful introduction. Summing Up: Recommended."
-Choice
"As games mature, and the average age of gamers continues to rise, we can hope that game scholarship will evolve as well, and Glued to GameS≪/i> is a good step in that direction."
-videogamewriters.com
Book Description
Video games have come a long way, from Atari's pinging, monochromatic Pong to the garish mayhem of Grand Theft Auto and the stylish sophistication of Beatles Rock Band. And it's no longer just teenagers that are hooked—audiences both young and old can't seem to get enough. But while "video-game addict" has become a common term, are these games really physically and psychologically addictive?
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
11 of 12 people found the following review helpful
By
M. L Lamendola
VINE VOICE on July 16, 2011
Format: Hardcover
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The authors did a good job with this book. I like the fact they make a non-gamer reader feel included by explaining gaming-specific items rather than leaving the reader feel clueless. On this particular topic, I had scant knowledge before reading this book. To me, the very limited time I have on this earth means I am just not going to do some things. Long ago, I put video games in that box of what I am not going to do.
But like any choice, this one means I am giving up something. As games have greatly evolved since their early days (when I made that choice), that "something" has become fairly significant. Video games do offer benefits beyond what we non-gamers typically know about. And, of course, they have their drawbacks. The authors explore both of these areas, while explaining what makes video gaming so compelling to so many people.
The authors also explore the hyperbole, disinformation, and denials about game content. Some fascinating reading, there.
So if you're not a gamer, is this book a waste of time to read? I don't think so. For one thing, you probably know (and misunderstand) someone who spends a fair amount of time with video games. And video gaming is a multi-billion dollar industry. Its market goes well beyond the original demographic (school children), to include all ages and most walks of life.
Most of us are aware that the Space Program has produced benefits in mainstream society (Tang not withstanding). Gaming shares such a legacy.
For example, as I type this I am viewing the text on a monitor that incorporates features originally developed to improve the video game experience. I remember when a 16-bit video card was a big deal, too.Read more ›
But like any choice, this one means I am giving up something. As games have greatly evolved since their early days (when I made that choice), that "something" has become fairly significant. Video games do offer benefits beyond what we non-gamers typically know about. And, of course, they have their drawbacks. The authors explore both of these areas, while explaining what makes video gaming so compelling to so many people.
The authors also explore the hyperbole, disinformation, and denials about game content. Some fascinating reading, there.
So if you're not a gamer, is this book a waste of time to read? I don't think so. For one thing, you probably know (and misunderstand) someone who spends a fair amount of time with video games. And video gaming is a multi-billion dollar industry. Its market goes well beyond the original demographic (school children), to include all ages and most walks of life.
Most of us are aware that the Space Program has produced benefits in mainstream society (Tang not withstanding). Gaming shares such a legacy.
For example, as I type this I am viewing the text on a monitor that incorporates features originally developed to improve the video game experience. I remember when a 16-bit video card was a big deal, too.Read more ›
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5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
By
Paramagnetic
on April 3, 2012
Format: Kindle Edition
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I was skeptical to drop money on this book since the only review, although positive, was from a self-proclaimed non-gamer. I picked up the sample on my Kindle Fire and was pleasantly surprised, so I bought the full book.
To give a little background, I AM a gamer and I work for a mobile video game developer. We recently got into the social/freemium market and, although our games have great ratings, we seem to be lacking in retention. This is where Glued to Games comes into play. I am just a little over halfway through the book and I already have a decent list of things that will help to improve our current game as well as our past/future titles.
Even if you don't make video games for a living, this book is fascinating from a psychological perspective. Ever wonder why some games, even simple ones, draw in users and get them hooked? This book explains it. I would recommend this to anyone trying to understand the relationship that games and gamers have.
On a final note, the authors are themselves gamers and give many examples of recent games that are good at hooking users. They also give real-world examples, for those who may have not played the games. Definitely a solid read for all types.
To give a little background, I AM a gamer and I work for a mobile video game developer. We recently got into the social/freemium market and, although our games have great ratings, we seem to be lacking in retention. This is where Glued to Games comes into play. I am just a little over halfway through the book and I already have a decent list of things that will help to improve our current game as well as our past/future titles.
Even if you don't make video games for a living, this book is fascinating from a psychological perspective. Ever wonder why some games, even simple ones, draw in users and get them hooked? This book explains it. I would recommend this to anyone trying to understand the relationship that games and gamers have.
On a final note, the authors are themselves gamers and give many examples of recent games that are good at hooking users. They also give real-world examples, for those who may have not played the games. Definitely a solid read for all types.
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3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
By
Jean Park
on June 12, 2012
Format: Hardcover
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I highly recommend this book to non-gamers and gamers alike. Given the ubiquity, influence and age/gender-agnostic nature of games today, I found it important - not to mention fascinating - to finally understand what really is going on behind games' unique ability to engage us.
The authors present a clear, compelling, scientifically supported perspective on why games engage people more potently and sustainably than practically any other aspect of our lives. The authors are PhD's in motivational psychology and uncover that successful games support intrinsic needs that all people have to feel competent, autonomous and relatedness with others. They debunk such myths as people play games simply because they are "fun" or because they seek opportunities for escape. Rather, they confirm that the density, consistency and immediacy of game experiences happen to be highly effective at delivering against and reinforcing those intrinsic needs.
My own experiences true up very well with the intrinsic motivational framework the authors have uncovered. My most motivating jobs, hobbies, entertainment experiences, and even personal relationships have all had strong alignment with the authors' framework. With that said, I was particularly interested in the chapter that looked more deeply at the role of gaming beyond entertainment. The next frontier could very well be leveraging game dynamics and mechanics to drive improvements in education, healthcare, personal finance, etc. The authors' research supports the high potential of that happening in a very big way.
Again, I highly recommend "Glued to Games." Very compelling and credible insights that are a result of digging deeply and methodically into the root drivers of successful games. The style of writing is also very accessible to any type of reader.
The authors present a clear, compelling, scientifically supported perspective on why games engage people more potently and sustainably than practically any other aspect of our lives. The authors are PhD's in motivational psychology and uncover that successful games support intrinsic needs that all people have to feel competent, autonomous and relatedness with others. They debunk such myths as people play games simply because they are "fun" or because they seek opportunities for escape. Rather, they confirm that the density, consistency and immediacy of game experiences happen to be highly effective at delivering against and reinforcing those intrinsic needs.
My own experiences true up very well with the intrinsic motivational framework the authors have uncovered. My most motivating jobs, hobbies, entertainment experiences, and even personal relationships have all had strong alignment with the authors' framework. With that said, I was particularly interested in the chapter that looked more deeply at the role of gaming beyond entertainment. The next frontier could very well be leveraging game dynamics and mechanics to drive improvements in education, healthcare, personal finance, etc. The authors' research supports the high potential of that happening in a very big way.
Again, I highly recommend "Glued to Games." Very compelling and credible insights that are a result of digging deeply and methodically into the root drivers of successful games. The style of writing is also very accessible to any type of reader.
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By
Scott
on November 17, 2012
Format: Hardcover
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I really enjoyed the author's approach to the PENS model. As a psychologist, I found the book to be very informative and enjoyable. As a gamer, the special examples really resonated with me. I also appreciate how Rigby explains several of his concepts in a way that even the lay population could understand. Great book, and hopefully this field continues to grow.
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