Mind Games

Memory

Why Did the Mass Effect 3 Ending Ruin the Whole Series?

Jamie Madigan Ph.D. on September 15, 2015

What do the ending of the Mass Effect series and a painful medical procedure have in common? They both illustrate how memory and evaluation of experiences interact.

What do the ending of the Mass Effect series and a painful medical procedure have in common? They both illustrate how memory and evaluation of experiences interact.

Jealousy

When the Pay to Win Button Backfires in Video Games

Jamie Madigan Ph.D. on August 24, 2015

How do players react and what social comparisons do they make when others pay real money for in-game advantages?

How do players react and what social comparisons do they make when others pay real money for in-game advantages?

Play

Why We Hate (Some) Video Game Motion Controls

Jamie Madigan Ph.D. on June 9, 2015

Some recent research suggests how to predict whether motion controls and other weird peripherals will lead to frustration or enjoyment.

Some recent research suggests how to predict whether motion controls and other weird peripherals will lead to frustration or enjoyment.

Sport and Competition

Red vs. Blue: Which Should You Choose?

Jamie Madigan Ph.D. on February 26, 2015

Has anyone ever done research on whether playing on the red team or the blue gives one a mental edge in games? Yep.

Has anyone ever done research on whether playing on the red team or the blue gives one a mental edge in games? Yep.

Anger

Frustration, Video Game Violence, and Real-Life Aggression

Jamie Madigan Ph.D. on July 9, 2014

Does violent content in video games cause violence in real-life? New research looks at whether something more mundane like frustration over controls and difficulty offer an alternative explanation?

Does violent content in video games cause violence in real-life? New research looks at whether something more mundane like frustration over controls and difficulty offer an alternative explanation?

Personality

Fake Feels and Free Passes

Jamie Madigan Ph.D. on January 2, 2014

The story of one very scary bridge may explain why Game of the Year discussions ignore the flaws in video games like The Last of Us.

The story of one very scary bridge may explain why Game of the Year discussions ignore the flaws in video games like The Last of Us.

Personality

How Not to Compare the Xbox One and PS4

Jamie Madigan Ph.D. on November 20, 2013

Many of us are comparing bulleted lists of new console features when trying to decide which to buy. That’s a step up from blind fanboyism, but such an approach can still trigger a couple of mental errors in judgment. Here’s how to avoid them.

Many of us are comparing bulleted lists of new console features when trying to decide which to buy. That’s a step up from blind fanboyism, but such an approach can still trigger a couple of mental errors in judgment. Here’s how to avoid them.

Media

Why Gone Home Is So Immersive

Jamie Madigan Ph.D. on September 12, 2013

How a small team's simple exploration game creates more spatial presence than big budget blockbusters like Grand Theft Auto.

How a small team's simple exploration game creates more spatial presence than big budget blockbusters like Grand Theft Auto.

Cognitive Dissonance

It's So Bad: Cognitive Dissonance and Cheap Games

Jamie Madigan Ph.D. on August 21, 2013

Are you more likely to enjoy a video game bought at full price or on sale? Bargain hunting may have a downside.

Are you more likely to enjoy a video game bought at full price or on sale? Bargain hunting may have a downside.

Attention

Inattentional Blindness and Video Games

Jamie Madigan Ph.D. on July 23, 2013

How some video games elevate a cognitive blind spot into a gameplay mechanic. Stop me if you've heard this one: A blind gorilla in a fez walks up to a border checkpoint...

How some video games elevate a cognitive blind spot into a gameplay mechanic. Stop me if you've heard this one: A blind gorilla in a fez walks up to a border checkpoint...

Bias

Some of the Psychology Behind Steam's Summer Sale

Jamie Madigan Ph.D. on July 15, 2013

The digital sales juggernaut Steam has unleashed its annual sales event. Let's look at five psychological factors that influence how much we are likely to buy video games from the comfort of our own home.

The digital sales juggernaut Steam has unleashed its annual sales event. Let's look at five psychological factors that influence how much we are likely to buy video games from the comfort of our own home.

Cognition

Can The Xbox One's Kinect Read Your Mind?

Jamie Madigan Ph.D. on July 7, 2013

The Kinect camera in Microsoft's upcoming Xbox One will supposedly be able to measure your heart rate and sense your mood. That's got some crazy implications for game design.

The Kinect camera in Microsoft's upcoming Xbox One will supposedly be able to measure your heart rate and sense your mood. That's got some crazy implications for game design.

Charisma

The Left-Digit Effect: Why Game Prices End in .99

Jamie Madigan Ph.D. on June 3, 2013

Why prices end in .99 and how games can take advantage of it.

Why prices end in .99 and how games can take advantage of it.

Decision-Making

Just One More Level: Gaming While Aroused

Jamie Madigan Ph.D. on May 14, 2013

How arousal (of various types) can explain our otherwise inexplicable decisions to play "just one more level" when we should know better.

How arousal (of various types) can explain our otherwise inexplicable decisions to play "just one more level" when we should know better.

Media

A Tale of Two Talent Trees

Jamie Madigan Ph.D. on May 8, 2013

Is it better to present choices in a video game's upgrade tree sequentially or simultaneously if you want players to be happy with their choice?

Is it better to present choices in a video game's upgrade tree sequentially or simultaneously if you want players to be happy with their choice?

Heuristics

The Availability Heuristic Is Always On

Jamie Madigan Ph.D. on April 15, 2013

How a Twitter snafu about the new Xbox console provides a great illustration of the (un)availability heuristic in real life.

How a Twitter snafu about the new Xbox console provides a great illustration of the (un)availability heuristic in real life.

What do waiters in a 1920s Venetian restaurant and today’s average role-playing game fan have in common? They both tend to remember what they have yet to finish.

Punishment

Modifying Player Behavior in League of Legends With Honor

Jamie Madigan Ph.D. on January 4, 2013

What does a video game developer do when its players are known for being insufferable jerks? It hires a team of psychologists to tackle complex problems with some of the oldest tricks in the book.

What does a video game developer do when its players are known for being insufferable jerks? It hires a team of psychologists to tackle complex problems with some of the oldest tricks in the book.

Dreaming

Gamer Dreams

Jamie Madigan Ph.D. on December 21, 2012

Do those who play a lot of video games have more bizarre but ultimately less threatening dreams? The weirdness and role playing that permeates many games may be the reason why gamers don't dream like most other people.

Do those who play a lot of video games have more bizarre but ultimately less threatening dreams? The weirdness and role playing that permeates many games may be the reason why gamers don't dream like most other people.

Empathy

The Walking Dead, Mirror Neurons, and Empathy

Jamie Madigan Ph.D. on November 7, 2012

Telltale's game about a zombie apocalypse isn't emotionally draining the way most horror stories are. The secret to its ability to ignite our empathy relies on mirror neurons deep within our brains.

Telltale's game about a zombie apocalypse isn't emotionally draining the way most horror stories are. The secret to its ability to ignite our empathy relies on mirror neurons deep within our brains.