Many weeks or months of being completed invested in the game followed by a sudden completion can cause a feeling of disbelief. The initial shock of the game coming to and end can cause a sense of denial among players. But, this very model can be considered in the case of post-game depression too. The 5 stage model of grief, proposed by Kubler and Ross, was mainly to do with bereavement in the case of loss of a loved one.
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How are the 5 stages of grief applicable to Post-game Depression? Therefore, post game depression could also be as intense as depression as a result of ending of a relationship. This study also stated that parasocial relationship breakups can be as intense as a real relationship breakup. They stated they had average levels of distressing symptoms, ranging from 2 to 2.5, when their favourite show ended or their favourite character ceased to exist in the show. The college students, between ages 18-33 who participated in the study, were asked about their viewing habits, their favourite characters and the level of distress they experienced on a scale of 1 to 5, 1 being low and 5 being high. When the character or the game/show is taken abruptly off-air or ended for the purposes of the script, the viewer experiences a ‘parasocial relationship breakup’.Ī research done in 2007-2008 during the writer’s strike in the United states demonstrated that people experienced distress when their favourite shows were unavailable to them. These parasocial relationships develop as the viewer spends time in understanding the character’s personality, behaviour and draws parallels with their own self. Researchers since then have studied a lot about the repercussions of parasocial relationships in the lives of the consumers of entertainment industry. This virtual, one-sided attachment was stated as a ‘parasocial relationship’, for the first time in 1956 by Horton and Wohl. Gamers, television viewers develop a bond with the characters or performers they see on-screen, and develop an attachment with them which is similar to a real relationship. A sense of relatability with the characters, the dialogues, the costumes, the weapons, the emotional triggers provided all have an impact on the gamers.Īll of the above mentioned factors lead to the forming of a parasocial relationship with the characters of the game. When the games are story-rich, the characters involved, the journey and growth of the characters, the plot twists at various levels are all factors that keep the gamers stay stuck to the game. The virtual sets of the game, the learning curve that offers some challenge, the catchy music all offer an addictive aura to the gaming experience. Video games developed by skilled professionals have a great deal of attention to detail. What is it about games that causes intense attachments? Playing the game, once again causes dopamine release thus the entire process plays in a loop.Įxcessive gaming can lead to dopamine exhaustion, emotional suppression, and lack of motivation, among other issues like weight gain and behavioural, social problems. Later, when the gamer thinks about the game, serotonin rushes in reinforcing that the game made the person happy causing the player to return back to it. Conquering levels and collecting rewards in the game gives a boost in the dopamine levels in the brain that motivates and excites the player.
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The experience of gaming largely depends on a reward pathway. Researches state that video games can alter the brains abilities with attention and visuospatial skills, largely making it more efficient.
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How goes on in our brain while playing games? But a possibility of them being depressed after a gaming experience cannot be completely ruled out either. Gamers who professionally play games for a living may not be that vulnerable as they are quite used to playing games on a regular basis and have a practise of coming out of the illusory world of games and moving with reality or onto a different game. Gamers who spend long hours trying to finish a long game in a lesser time frame may be more vulnerable to post game depression than the others. Who is vulnerable to Post-game Depression? This prolonged feeling of sadness and hopelessness is what differentiates a post-game depression from the sadness experienced after playing a really good game. But, when the symptoms of depression last for longer than a week or two, it is a cause of concern. This usually happens when the person playing the game invested a lot of time and effort in the fictional world of a game.Ī general feeling of sadness after a very enriching and engaging experience of playing is quite normal. Post-game Depression happens when one finishes a really good game and upon completion has depressive symptoms of sadness, emptiness, disorientation about purpose in life and difficulty in letting go.