Slot machines are addictive for a reason. They were made in a way that the player will keep spinning, even if they lose money. Why? Read on to find out!
Slot machines that you play like the legacy of dead demo are not rigged. Despite that, there is a lot of effort that the developers put into the game mechanics, particularly the psychology of the users. The designers made it a point to make the user become “addicted” to it.
What is the psychology of slot machines? What gaming principles do designers use to entice the players to stay, deposit money, and play longer? Read on, and we will share what we know so far.
The Dopamine System
Dopamine is a chemical that the brain releases and one of its functions is to transmit feelings of pleasure. One thing that releases dopamine is the excitement of the positive kind, like slots. With slot machines, the player does not know what is going to happen.
The thrill of not knowing the result causes a person to get excited, thus releasing dopamine. This thrill is what people chase, in the same manner that people like fast cars, roller coaster rides, and many more thrilling activities.
There was one study proving that a player’s brain releases dopamine when they win. The tricky thing is that this study also found out that the brain releases an almost equal amount of dopamine in the brain if the player loses.
We can learn that the human brain is not exactly looking for losing or winning, but merely the thrill of spinning the reels. The result of the spin is secondary to what the player is looking for.
Sounds and Sights
There is no doubt that sights and sounds play a vital role in how the brain reacts to its surroundings. Hearing and seeing are two of the most important senses that we have.
It is why game developers of slot machines make it a point to create games that have bright videos. They also ensure that many fast-moving objects in the game will excite the brain.
Sound matters to slots and other computer games for the following reasons:
- They make the game more immersive.
- The sound helps a player reminisce or remember something positive.
- Sounds elevate the overall gaming experience.
- Sounds “tell” the player what happened.
Sound has an ambient effect on the brain and makes the game “familiar.” As such, a player who has spun the reels several times may feel secure and comfortable with it because of the familiar sounds. Particularly, it is the sound of winning, most especially the sound of coins.
Interactive Games
Interaction is one thing that many players look for in a game. They prefer to play where they have a direct involvement. In the beginning of slot machines more than a hundred years ago, the player had to pull a lever to make the game work.
Now, with everything digital, players have to press the spin button and wait for the slot reels to spin. Some slots even allow players to stop the reels from spinning by pressing the spin button again.
In addition to this, players today have many options in interaction, such as:
- Choosing what type of free spins to use.
- Deciding what kind of wild symbols to implement during a free bonus round.
- Participating in a gambling feature.
The more controls a player has in the game, the more addicting the slot machine is going to be. In addition, players today even can make the slot play on their own through a feature called auto-play.
Big Prizes at Stake
Big prizes in slot machines are the biggest enticement for players. Just think about this: for a few coins, you have the opportunity to make hundreds of thousands of dollars. Some slot machines even pay millions.
The same game principles apply to lotteries. For a small amount of investment, a player can win a significant amount of money that can change their life.
Such is the psychology of a gambling game — you invest little, you come out with more money. That is if you are lucky enough to win. The thing is that for you to win, many people have to lose. The game developers made the game in such a way that the casino never loses.
In essence, the statistical probability of winning is so small, but the statistical probability of losing is so big. In the end, and over the long term, the casino always wins.
All casino games, and all games by extension, are designed to keep the player engaged. From the sounds to the visuals to immediate gratification — all these did not happen by chance. There are elements that the developers meticulously place to ensure that you, the gamer, will spend hours and money on these games.
Do not let these elements get the better of you — set a budget when gambling and stick to it. Treat it as nothing more than entertainment!
