Picture Super Mario on a Nintendo 64 and then Halo, which is on the infamous Xbox.
What do they have in common, aside from them being games? They offer those who play them a lot of side quests, jackpots, and levels to get through, as part of the game’s development.
Even though they may seem a bit basic, these three game components are essential to a great playing experience and offer more than a fun reward when one level is completed. Here, you will be walked through the how and why behind these systems and why players love them so much.
Learning
The first level of any game, and potentially the second level of some games, is the learning level. This allows the player to become familiar with the controls, the layout, and, in the case of games of chance and platforms like Spin Casino Online, it allows players to learn the rules. By mastering these rules and completing a level, the player is learning and then wants to continue to engage.
Motivation
It’s happened to everyone, even back in the days when the phone game Snake was king, or when people competed in Tetris tournaments in an arcade. You’ve been happily playing a computer game when you get stuck on one level. It builds irritation, annoyance at it, then becomes the famous “I need to beat this level” moment. Dividing games into different levels can create frustration when one level becomes tricky, encouraging the player to keep playing. Why? Well, they’ve completed all the other levels, so surely, they can also get through this one!
Progression
Have you ever watched a YouTube video or Twitch of someone playing Halo? Their fingers move impeccably quickly as they become fully immersed in the game. This shows progression and familiarity with the layout of the controls and the virtual world, acting as a source of pride for the player (and a source of entertainment for those who are watching). Progression via rewards in a game, like jackpots, level completion, and side quests for hitting a level, shows the player that they are progressing, which hits the dopamine pathway in the brain (the feel-good hormone), which encourages them to keep playing. Interestingly, researchers into gaming have found that games that have a lot of side quests offer players a richer sense of progression, as they feel that quests help to improve their abilities and to build their familiarity with the game and other characters, making the sense of progression even more fulfilling.
Completion
Of course, when you complete a game, a quest, or a level, there is an overwhelming sense of satisfaction at the completion of the level. This makes the entire experience more engaging for the person playing and, much like the progression through the levels, it acts as a source of pride. When someone completes a game, they are more likely to start another with a similar layout, as this will then act as a replacement source of pride and accomplishment.
