Over the past two years, we’ve witnessed a significant decrease in focused attention, not just in gaming, but across all digital platforms. This shift demands a fundamental rethinking of how we approach game design and player engagement. But what’s really behind this change in attention spans?
Game designers face unique challenges rooted in cognitive science and human attention. Our brains, while adaptable, can experience fatigue during extended periods of focused attention. Yes, this is due to glucose depletion, but also complex factors including neurotransmitter dynamics and neural recovery needs. In the digital age, where stimuli constantly compete for our attention, users often engage in frequent task-switching, potentially leading to cognitive overload. How can game designers create experiences that captivate players without overwhelming them?
Game designers must tread carefully, balancing engaging gameplay with the brain’s need for manageable cognitive loads. The goal is to create experiences that are captivating yet sustainable, challenging players without inducing undue mental fatigue. This delicate balance requires a deep understanding of both game mechanics and the nuances of human cognition in digital environments.
The solution isn’t to fight against this neurological tide, but to work with it. We need to design games that reduce cognitive load while still providing engaging, meaningful experiences. This requires a deeper understanding of player psychology and motivation than ever before. What’s the secret to achieving this balance?
Perhaps the most powerful tool in our arsenal is value alignment. When a game resonates with a player’s core values, it naturally reduces cognitive load. People instinctively spend time and money on what they value. By understanding and designing for these values, we can create experiences that feel effortless to engage with.
This concept goes beyond surface-level preferences or demographics. It’s about tapping into the fundamental beliefs, motivations, and psychological needs of our players. For instance, a player who values leadership might be drawn to games that allow them to strategize and direct others, like certain sports management or strategy games. Someone who values creativity might engage more deeply with games that offer extensive customization or open-ended problem-solving.
When we align our games with these core values, we’re not just creating entertainment — we’re building experiences that feel personally meaningful to our players. This alignment reduces the mental effort required to engage with the game, making the experience feel more natural and rewarding. Players are more likely to lose themselves in the flow of a game that speaks to their values, leading to longer play sessions and increased loyalty.
This value alignment can inform every aspect of game design, from core mechanics to narrative themes, visual aesthetics, and even monetization strategies. When players feel that a game truly understands and reflects their values, they’re more likely to invest not just their time, but also their money, viewing purchases as an extension of their identity and values rather than mere transactions.
By focusing on value alignment, we move beyond creating games that are merely fun or addictive. Instead, we create experiences that resonate on a deeper level, fostering a sense of connection and meaning that can turn casual players into lifelong fans. In today’s hyper-competitive market, this depth of engagement can be the key differentiator that sets successful games apart.
Solsten measures dozens of values that designers and marketing teams can use to align their games and campaigns with their audience’s needs. Want to learn more about value alignment? Download our 2024 State of the Player Report to see how the psychology of the global gaming population is shifting, and how the most popular games are using player psychology to impact their success.
