The Psychology of Video Game Design

The author includes the detail about micro-rewards in paragraph 13 to explain —

• how gamers like to focus on the ultimate goal at all times

• how focus helps to create flow for gamers

• how rewards from small tasks lead to accomplishing big goals

• how the brain produces the chemical dopamine

Which idea does the information in the section titled “Psychological Edge” support?

• Video games without defined endings are more fun to play.

• Video games are better when played with friends.

• Customize the difficulty of a video game to enjoy it more.

• Always try to play video games on the most challenging setting.

In paragraph 3, the author introduces the idea of “flow” in order to ____________

• describe a strategy used by successful players of video games

• explain why some video games are better than others

• show how creators of video games work together

• encourage readers to try different kinds of video games

According to the section called CHALLENGE, why do players of video games often give up?

• The game requires too much button pressing in complicated patterns.

• The game has been designed to be impossible to win.

• The game contains too much information that is not really important.

• The game requires concentration but does not offer much enjoyment.

In paragraph 3, the author introduces the idea of “flow” in order to ____________

• encourage readers to try different kinds of video games

• explain why some video games are better than others

• show how creators of video games work together

• describe a strategy used by successful players of video games

Select a sentence below that SHOULD NOT be included in a summary about the article?

• To keep video game players in the zone, the game must have challenges, keep the player's focus, and provide them with rewards.

• In the article, the author describes how video games with dragons are often difficult to beat.

• One-way video game players become immersed in a game is with challenges that are not too easy or too difficult.

• When a player is in a state of flow, they don't have to think about what they're doing because it becomes automatic.

Which definition most closely matches the way the word "designed" as it is used here:

But gamers have an edge: unlike the real world, video games are designed to get us into this state as quickly as possible - and keep us there.

• to conceive in the mind; to invent

• to formulate a plan for

• to make a graphic representation of (something)

• to create for a particular purpose or effect

Tags

L 7.4

Which two of the following help the reader predict what the section "Reward" will be about?

• The reference to the dragon that was described in the introduction

• The author's tone toward the ways that games affect players

• The discussion of brain activity in the previous sections

• The sudden shift in the author's perspective

• The subheading for the section

Tags

RI 7.5

The author includes the detail about micro-rewards in paragraph 13 to explain -

• how game designers reward players for reaching the ultimate goal

• how focus helps to create flow for gamers

• how rewards for small tasks lead to accomplishing big goals

• how the brain produces the chemical dopamine

Tags

RI 7.3

Which of the following best describes the term 'flow' as used in video game design?

• A state of complete immersion and focus

• A method of increasing game difficulty

• A technique for improving graphics

• A strategy for marketing games