The Science of Fun: 4 Ways Games Make Us Happier

July 22, 2014, Casual Connect Conference, San Francisco—Nicole Lazzaro from XeoDesign discussed the neuro-chemistry and brain models that show how games affect brain functions. The models and chemistries indicate that games can manipulate some brain functions to improve engagement and retention.

In some ways, games are like dreams. Disappointment in the results interferes with our dreams, so the brain generates Cortisol to increase seeking and find new ways to go on. Happiness can come from doing something that is good for us, but feels bad, like eating your vegetables, or bad for us and feels good such as that piece of cake after dinner.

The challenge of working on increasing happiness is that this is a fleeting emotion, and we soon get over our short-term euphoria. Our thoughts and feelings are disconnected and occupy different areas in brain. The thoughts form in the cortex, and the feelings are in the limbic areas. The efforts to develop thoughts overcome the sensations of our emotions.

Therefore, games should be designed to give a daily dose of feelings, by making small game elements that are manageable. We tent to make goals all-inclusive, and they become overwhelming. Instead, we need to break up the take into smaller functions that we can more easily manage.

The brain chemicals that are of interest are dopamine, oxytocin, serotonin, and endorphin. These compounds are the DOSE components we need for happiness. It is possible to make games to game the brain, by addressing the actions of these compounds. All four of these neuro-chemicals make us feel good. If we can build activities and habits that generate these chemicals, we can change the brain.

There are four basic types of games: hard fun is challenging, easy fun is novel, people fun encourages friendship and feelings, and serious fun derives meanings. Casual games address three of the four game types, but we need more people fun.

Dopamine is triggered just before we reach our goals and generates a feeling of anticipation for the rare or rewards and helps improve focus. We get a shot of dopamine when we celebrate achieving our small goals. That is why breaking big tasks into smaller ones makes the large, long-term goals manageable. As a part of a game, we can complement ourselves for hitting the next steps. Dopamine is associated with the hard and serious fun categories.

When we get or give free hugs, we feel good. This feeling is due to oxytocin, and helps to develop trust and belonging. Reducing fear tends to calm us down. The people fun can change your day and outlook through social connections. For example, a couple playing a thumb kiss game show the same brain activities as a couple in physical contact.

Serotonin is mood food, and acknowledges recognition, expressions of pride and reciprocity. People and serious fun generate these reactions and show why people feel good about getting “likes” on Facebook, especially for shared accomplishments.

Endorphins mask pain and generate euphoria. Hard and serious games evoke these responses. The effects are the result of strong emotions like laughing or crying, and are also triggered by heavy exercise.

The world is changing, so getting more “likes” on goals makes us try harder to get to those goals.