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Video Games
Video games are electronic games that can be played on various devices like smartphones, gaming consoles, computers, arcade machines, and virtual reality devices.
This popular hobby provides hours of entertainment for players where they can socialize and earn progress while playing their favourite game titles. Certain games can be free depending on the device, while others have different types of transactions in order to play. Video games use rewards, near misses, and pacing to grasp and maintain your attention.
Transactions
Players have the option to choose games that have a one-time purchase amount while others are subscription-based. Some titles require a subscription service to access special features, updated content, play online, etc.
Often seen more in mobile games, micro-transactions are purchases made for virtual items within the game. Lives, weapons, skins, in-game currency, and loot boxes are some examples of what is available for purchase.
Loot boxes are virtual prize boxes that are redeemed for randomized items within the game. Prices vary based on the potential rewards.
Rewards
Rewards are achievements in a game that include log-in incentives, leveling up, getting first place, winning boss fights, etc. Players gain rewards by progressing in the game or are distributed completely randomly. Random game rewards can be finding chests, item drops, bonus lives, and even winning is sometimes left up to chance. Completing tasks or getting rewards provides a sense of accomplishment and motivates players to keep going.
Near Miss
A near-miss happens when a player is close to winning but then loses at the last moment. Coming in second place in a race, almost beating an enemy, or running out of moves are common examples of a near-miss. Players are motivated to try again since they were “so close” to winning during the last round.
Pacing
Pacing is the delaying of an in-game action required to make progress and is commonly found in mobile games. Waiting for lives to refresh, actions to complete, etc purposely delay players so that they return to the game at a later time. Some games will prompt players with an in-game purchase in order to avoid the delay.
