This is part two of an earlier post I made, where I continue to look in a very non-scientific way at what motivates players to play games, and at what I think designers and developers can do to support and enhance those motivations.
Without further ado, let’s dive in and explore some core player motivations related to sociality, cooperation, competition — and money!
Community, Friendship, and Sociality
Games have the power to foster social experiences, build communities, and nurture lasting friendships. These elements can transcend a gaming experience from “it’s just a game” to something more meaningful that gives the player a sense of identity and a place to belong — a home.
Effective communication tools are key to the formation and growth of meaningful social connections, friendships, and communities — whether within games or externally via platforms like Discord/Reddit. Without these, genuine social bonds struggle to take root.