How game developers keep you addicted

[Manic Velocity]

A very interesting read.  Much of it is simple Psych 101.  I actually started questioning my gaming habits.  

Part 1: http://www.cracked.com/article_18461_5-creepy-ways-video-games-are-trying-to-get-you-addicted.html

Part 2: http://www.cracked.com/article_18461_5-creepy-ways-video-games-are-trying-to-get-you-addicted_p2.html

[Tbone]

This is what most of us don't get in everyday life--quick, tangible rewards. It's less about instant gratification and more about a freaking sense of accomplishment. How much harder would we work at the office if we got this, and could measure our progress toward it? And if the light shot from our crotch?

[Balance]

This article is disturbingly accurate.  I recently started playing Farmville because I was bored from the current lack of roleplaying opportunities on Ultima Online and it's already gotten to the point where it's more effective than my alarm clock at getting me out of bed in the morning since I dont want my stuff on there to rot before I log on.  And despite the current lack of anything to do on Ultima, Im stuck keeping two accounts open because if I dont the houses on those accounts, which are completely full of items at the moment, will fall.  Heck, Im pretty sure I'll end up keeping my third account on there open too despite there being nothing to do.  The only way I'll ever get out of that particular game is if I just go right out and delete all my stuff so there's no reason to go back and nothing to have to store.

[likwidtek]

Super good read.

[Ash]

After reading this article I remembered a diatribe I wrote when I finally made the decision to quit MxO; in it I actually mentioned how one of my reasons for leaving was because of those very "deplorable tactics".  I knew SOE was up to something, but I had no idea it was so orchestrated.

Here's a link to that thread in case any of you don't know what I'm referring to.

http://thefuriousangels.com/index.php?topic=5186