Right now I've got four devices with apps on them: my old iPhone 5s, which I've converted into a "game phone/ipod touch/back-up phone." I've got the family iPad, gen 2. And, I've got my 6s, and iPad mini, gen 2, the latter which is off limits to the kids...Sara and I mostly use it for Netflix and on vacations (movies, etc.). A fifth device I help manage is Grandma's iPad...but that's mostly internet-based porn, so there's little I need to update (please don't tell grandma about Oculus/VR/Cardboard/etc.).
Admittedly, my 6s has an amalgam of apps...just in case I forget one of the other iDevices, that both appeal to me during my downtime (between the hours of 1:30am and 4:30am), as well as the kids during theirs. As you're probably aware, the games that Apple allows through the App Store are (mostly) family friendly, uncomplicated and flashy, different and interesting for short periods of time. However, due to the size of the apps and our growing shorter attention span, most games are fairly repetitive. Repetitive. The games make you do the same things again and again. They're repetitive.
They're...
Which brings me to the larger question: what is it about this repetitive (repetitive) formula that keeps us downloading, and sometimes, pay for the privilege to mind-numbingly stare at our phones? The answer may be deep within us. Secretly, we desire to be in control of our own outcome...by ourselves, and without outside influences. This is something akin to the Self-determination theory (SDT) which is a "macro theory of human motivation and personality that concerns people's inherent growth tendencies and innate psychological needs. It is concerned with the motivation behind choices people make without external influence and interference." We just want 5 minutes to unwind with our personal devices in a way that our every-day life does not/can not permit. And, game designers, while maybe not focusing on the complicated behavioral psychology behind it, understand that if they can put something incrementally out of reach that started out fairly simple, we'll gravitate towards a goal or a game with no end-game.
This isn't new. Back in my day (get me a cane and beard a la old Bugs Bunny), the place to be was at the mall arcade. There, you could find any number of games with no conceivable end, such as PacMan, Donkey Kong, Centipede...and the dudes with the piles of quarters trying to get their name/initials shown on the High Score screen. The difference is that we now carry the arcade in our pockets. Thanks to FaceBook and Apple's Game Center, the mall is at our fingertips. No need to have an audience huddled around to show off. It's broadcast over social media, or within the Game Center app of who has played last, and what their score is.
Now, I don't have an epiphone about this. I would guess that, as a disappointed Democrat, my use has escalated. This President has made what I want and value a bit out of reach. Instead, I'm subconsciously trying to take control of my personal life through achievement in Pokemon Go or Marvel's Contest of Champions. Both are ridiculously repetitive...but have periodic moments of success before the bar is raised, ever so slightly, making the next level that much more challenging.
What I will say is we need to be mindful of how we spend our time on our electronic devices. Whether you're hiding from the world, or just trying to tune it out, be careful that it's not taking the place of other social interactions and responsibilities...and that goes for twitter trolling the President and FaceBook too.
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