ABSTRACT
Video games are extremely popular today and offer a variety of gameplay. But what makes certain games fun and engaging while others miss the mark? And what is the impact of playing video games? The Psychology of Video Games proposes to take steps towards answering these questions. The first two chapters offer a perspective on the psychology of making games. Chapter 1 explains the mental processes behind experiencing a game, and Chapter 2 describes the user experience (UX) mindset that can be used in the game industry. The UX mindset is about ensuring that the end users of a product will have a positive, seamless, and engaging experience when interacting with the product. Chapters 3 and 4 are dedicated to the psychology behind playing games. Chapter 3 sheds some light onto the benefits of playing video games, while Chapter 4 explores their potential detrimental impact. Chapter 5 offers a perspective on the ethics of video games so that everyone can have fun playing games that are inclusive, safe, and respectful of all gamers.
