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AndrewJ
08-06-2009, 05:10 PM
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| The Psychology of Collection and Hoarding In Games |
| from the who-has-the-most-nerdoints dept. |
| posted by Soulskill on Sunday May 31, @13:17 (Games) |
| http://games.slashdot.org/article.pl?sid=09/05/31/1633236 |
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This article at Gamasutra takes a look at how [0]the compulsion to hoard
and accumulate objects, as well as the desire to accomplish entirely
abstract goals, has become part of the modern gaming mindset. "The
Obsessive Compulsive Foundation explains that in compulsive hoarders:
'Acquiring is often associated with positive emotions, such as pleasure
and excitement, motivating individuals who experience these emotions
while acquiring to keep acquiring, despite negative consequences.' Sound
familiar? The 'negative consequences' of chasing after the 120th star in
Mario 64 or all 100 hidden packages in Grand Theft Auto III may be more
subdued than those of filling your entire house with orange peels and old
cans of refried beans. But game designers know that it's pretty damn easy
to tap into this deep-rooted need to collect and accumulate. And like
happy suckers we buy into it all the time, some to a greater degree than
others."

Discuss this story at:
http://games.slashdot.org/comments.pl?sid=09/05/31/1633236

Links:
0. http://www.gamasutra.com/php-bin/news_index.php?story=23724

dammit
08-06-2009, 08:27 PM
People shouldn't think of mental disorders versus mental health as a black and white situation. It's all on a continuum. Most of us will be nearer the "mentally healthy" end, but that does not mean we will not exhibit similar behaviours as those on the other end of the continuum do to a extreme degree. Essentially mental disorders are generally an extreme form of normal behaviours. Most of us behave obsessively and compulsively to a degree. As long as these behaviours do not cause you distress, interfere with your normal functions and life roles and are not harmful to yourself or others, you're fine.

Etiko
09-06-2009, 02:57 PM
I hate grinding and collecting in games. I guess that's why I've never really gotten into MMOs.

I do know of people that have collected every single star in Mario Galaxy, though. Insanity! :D

Chippit
09-06-2009, 05:02 PM
I hate grinding and collecting in games. I guess that's why I've never really gotten into MMOs.

I do know of people that have collected every single star in Mario Galaxy, though. Insanity! :D

Mario Galaxy is a superb exception. Because every level really is different, it never feels like grinding. You're just having fun the whole way.

Cleric
09-06-2009, 06:38 PM
Agreed. I hate grinding, but I'm at about 215 stars in Mario Galaxy.

AndrewJ
10-06-2009, 02:02 PM
I also hate grinding. I completed all 99 tracks in Carmageddon back in the day because it was so fun and varied. Even though the 99 "tracks" were only different routes through nine or ten different terrains, the "grudges" between the various characters and the pure brilliance of the game never made it seem repetitive. Well, I think the last five were a bit of a mission...