Psychology of Video Games Podcast

It's frequently argued that playing games like Dungeons & Dragons can help you develop social skills like, cooperation, teamwork, and interpersonal communication. Get in there, use the game as scaffolding to practice those skills in a low-risk environment, and be a better you!And while these arguments make sense and are sometimes paired with anecdotal evidence, research in a controlled study are hard to come by for a variety of reasons. In this episode of the podcast, I'll talk with a researcher who has set out to create and empirically test a program for using D&D to help people lower social anxiety and loneliness while improving their self-image.Remember that Patreon supporters (patreon.com/pog) get ad-free versions of the podcasts and other bonus material!Guest Expert Links:Dr. Billieux's university pageHis Researchgate.net pageInformation about the study we discussedAudio Credits:“Robot Motivation” by The Polish Ambassador, licensed under Creative Commons: CC BY-NC-SA 3.0\"Babylon" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Toxicity in video games has been a long-standing and long-studied problem. In this episode, I talk to someone who has not only studied toxic behavior among gamers, but specifically looked at how players deal with it --or don't deal with it-- and what game companies can do to help gamers when they see or experience it.Audio Credits:“Robot Motivation” by The Polish Ambassador, licensed under Creative Commons: CC BY-NC-SA 3.0

Many games put forth some kind of value that they hope will be communicated to players, be they ones that see obvious (like the value of empathy) or subtle (like experiencing life under capitalism). When the insertion of these values into game development is deliberate, what do we know about how it happens and what effects it has on players?Support me on Patreon: https://patreon.com/pogAudio Credits:“Robot Motivation” by The Polish Ambassador, licensed under Creative Commons: CC BY-NC-SA 3.0"Chill Wave" by Kevin Macleod

Dive into the fascinating psychology behind why we love both incredibly difficult games, like Dark Souls, and delightfully easy ones, such as Cookie Clicker. Explore how emotional engagement and player motivation influence our gaming choices. Delve into concepts like predictive processing, and discover how maintaining a balance between challenge and feedback enhances enjoyment. Uncover the significance of incremental progress and the emotional responses associated with mastering complex gameplay. It's a thrilling exploration of our gaming preferences!

My publisher is running a Kickstarter to offer discounted, early copies of my new book on the Psychology of Dungeons & Dragons. To help you decide if you want to back it (I think you should, but I'm arguably biased), this episode contains excerpts from multiple chapters and some of my own inside commentary.The book will be available for sale widely later this year, but this is a great chance to get an early copy for 25% off. Print, audiobook, or ebook. You can also bundle in any of the other four books in the Geek Psychology series, so worth a look!If you need a link to the show on another device, just go to psychologyofgames.com of psychologyofdnd.com. The Kickstarter will be the top story at both places until it's done.Audio Credits:“Robot Motivation” by The Polish Ambassador, licensed under Creative Commons: CC BY-NC-SA 3.0

Exploring the concept of 'sense of place' in video games, the podcast discusses players' emotional attachment to virtual environments like Hyrule and Ironforge. The podcast also explores the authentic representation of West Virginia in Fallout 76 and the connection between video games and real places, showcasing how gaming impacts players' sense of place and nostalgia.

Explore the psychology of gaming passion, distinguishing between harmonious and obsessive motivations. Delve into the impact of satisfaction and self-determination theory in gaming and life. Learn about the shift in gaming passion during the pandemic and the benefits of using gaming as a recovery activity.

This podcast delves into the impact of video games on cognitive skills, discussing the complexities of strategic games, brain age improvement through gaming, and cognitive benefits of memory and strategy games. It explores the effectiveness of brain training exercises and apps, highlighting the correlation between gaming skill and cognitive function.

Delving into the importance of nostalgia in game design and player behavior, exploring triggers like memories and senses. Highlighting the benefits of nostalgia, such as fostering connections and reducing loneliness. Discussing the unique ability of video games to evoke nostalgia through past worlds and social connections. Examining the sensory experience and interactivity of video games in triggering nostalgia, framing them as portals to the past. Touching on the trend of remakes, reboots, and retro-style games fueled by nostalgia.

This podcast explores the psychology of avatars in video games, discussing how our choice of avatar can affect our behavior and performance. It also delves into the journey of a researcher whose fascination with the game EverQuest shaped his career. Additionally, the podcast explores studies on the influence of clothing color on behavior and discusses the Proteus Effect, where people's behaviors change based on their avatar's appearance. It also touches on the potential use of avatars in therapy and advertising.