A video game is a form of interactive entertainment, where the player controls a character or an on-screen element to reach a goal. Video games are played on different platforms, such as consoles, computers or smartphones. In short, they are digital games played on screens. Playing video games is also called “gaming”.

What are the main categories?

• Action games

• Reflex and puzzle games

• Racing games

• Sports games

• Adventure games and RPGs (role playing games)

• Combat games

• Simulation games

• Multiplayer games (MMO: Massive multiplayer online)

• Shooting games (first- or third-person shooters)

Someone might choose to play video games for…

• Entertainment. Games are first and foremost a source of fun. They immerse you in captivating universes and ask you to  overcome challenges to progress. Some games also offer surprise rewards, which can create excitement. In multiple games, your creativity is often put to use to complete levels or solve riddles.

• The social aspect. Video games can let you become part of a community, play online with or against friends, provide a sense of belonging and recognition through social status associated with ranks in competitive games.

• Accessibility. With your smartphone, it’s possible to play anywhere, at any time, which makes games easy to integrate in your daily routine.

However, video games can also…

• Introduce you to gambling. Some games use mechanisms from the gambling industry, often referred to as gamblification. You can learn more about this in the TBH section.👇

• Lead to problematic gaming. Certain games are designed to be difficult to put down and encourage prolonged play, making it difficult to stop even when it starts interfering with other areas of life. The World Health Organization officially recognises video game addiction as a disorder: gaming disorder. The risk of addiction is greater when playing to escape or avoid negative emotions.

• Negatively impact your physical health. Gaming for hours can make you forget to eat, sleep, or even take care of your hygiene. Lack of physical activity and time spent in front of screens without moving can cause problems, such as back pain, headaches, wrist pain or disrupt sleep.

• Create social isolation. If we neglect offline relationships in favour of playing more video games, it can contribute to feelings of social isolation.

• Cause financial losses. Between consoles, games and in-game purchases (e.g., skins or subscriptions), expenses can add up quickly, especially when buying virtual currency with real money.

If you play video games, try to recognize gamblification.

What is gamblification?

It’s when an app or a game uses elements of gambling, even when the game itself isn’t traditional gambling. These practices can give the impression that we’re playing purely for entertainment, while these mechanisms are designed to encourage longer play sessions and increased spending.

What forms does gamblification take?

Microtransactions. These are small purchases made to obtain items, bonuses or upgrades. Individually, they might not seem expensive, but they can quickly add up to significant sums of money.

Loot boxes. The purchase, with real money, of a locked box or pack with a randomized outcome. It works exactly the same as a lottery draw. Some games might make it seem like it is possible to influence the items you receive, but the result is pre-programmed. Certain countries recognize loot boxes as gambling and have taken actions to prohibit their use in games accessible to minors.

Random reward systems and wheels of fortune. Some games give out surprise rewards, participation prizes, daily bonuses (for daily log-ins or streaks), or do random draws. It creates excitement resembling gambling mechanics.

Why is it risky?

Gamblification often targets young people and exposes them to gambling-inspired practices long before they are legally allowed to gamble. Normalizing these mechanics, especially at a young age, can influence attitudes and behaviours and increase the risk of gambling-related harms later in life.

Furthermore, these strategies rely on psychological mechanisms such as anticipation and frustration to encourage continued spending, sometimes without people fully realizing the potential consequences of their choices