Tenth International Conference on Health, Wellness & Society

Abstract

The proliferation of the Internet has resulted in more users spending ever-increasing time on online video games in place of other media and entertainment. Among all game genres, casual games are defined as games with simple rules and short playing sessions that are less time-consuming, and that usually help players learn skills. This game genre targets a broader audience and plays an important role in the mobile game market. Even though casual games apps are known for their simple game mechanisms with less involvement and time commitment for casual gamers as opposed to hardcore gamers, there is evidence that players can become addicted to casual mobile games. Adverse effects on addicted players include being isolated from social contacts, neglecting important activities, and undermining psychological conditions. A survey was conducted to understand these elements in casual mobile games and their effects on different demographic groups in causing casual mobile gamers’ addictions. A game addiction scale (GAS) has been used in a survey to capture the addiction level of casual mobile gamers. Correlations and independent-sample t-tests have been conducted to analyze the results. This study highlights the seven elements that are frequently adopted in casual mobile game designs and how they are correlated with casual mobile game addiction among players. The practical implication is that realizing the triggers of addictiveness could prevent players from unhealthy casual games and mobile game addictions. In addition, game developers could also design more successful games by understanding the factors behind the addictiveness of casual mobile games.