The Psychology of Video Game Design

Which two phrases from paragraph 4 help the reader understand the meaning of effortless?

• easy to complete

• a flow state

• performance is automatic

• wholly focused

The author includes the section title “Challenge” to show —

• why video games require skill in order to be finished

• why people try to quickly complete the challenges in a video game

• why people purchase so many different types of video games

• why video games increase in difficulty as players become more skilled

Which word or phrase from the text in paragraph 9 helps the reader understand the meaning of the word focus?

• flashlight beam

• irrelevant info

• disoriented

• unmotivated

The phrase goals without rewards are like pancakes without maple syrup in paragraph 11 is an example of a —

• metaphor illustrating the role of rewards in gaming

• simile emphasizing the importance of rewards

• personification of pancakes to highlight the rewards earned

• hyperbole exaggerating the need for rewards in life

The author includes the detail about micro-rewards in paragraph 13 to explain —

• how gamers like to focus on the ultimate goal at all times

• how focus helps to create flow for gamers

• how rewards from small tasks lead to accomplishing big goals

• how the brain produces the chemical dopamine

Which idea does the information in the section titled “Psychological Edge” support?

• Video games without defined endings are more fun to play.

• Video games are better when played with friends.

• Customize the difficulty of a video game to enjoy it more.

• Always try to play video games on the most challenging setting.

Read the following statements.

Goals are built into games to keep us coming back for more.

And that same chemical is released by virtual rewards too.

Are these statements an example of objective or subjective points of view?

• objective

• subjective

In paragraph 3, the author introduces the idea of “flow” in order to ____________

• describe a strategy used by successful players of video games

• explain why some video games are better than others

• show how creators of video games work together

• encourage readers to try different kinds of video games

According to the section called CHALLENGE, why do players of video games often give up?

• The game requires too much button pressing in complicated patterns.

• The game has been designed to be impossible to win.

• The game contains too much information that is not really important.

• The game requires concentration but does not offer much enjoyment.

What is the purpose of the bulleted points in the final section?

• They give readers advice about how to play video games better and enjoy them more.

• They summarize the kinds of rewards that players of video games like best.

• They present the main points regarding “flow.”

• They list and rate several popular video games.