Top Mud Sites Forum - View Single Post - Where have we gone wrong? *may trigger :p*

Threshold · 04-29-2008, 02:17 PM

I am not a psychologist, though I play one on tv (not really, but I do have a minor in psych).

I think the reason "killing things" is such a common and basic goal in games is because deep down, we still get a visceral thrill from the idea of mortal combat. The idea of it gets our adrenaline pumping in a minor "fight or flight" psychological response.

I don't think this reflects anything bad about us as creatures, nor does it mean we are bloodthirsty savages at our core. I think it is just an inescapable reality connected to our origins as a species, and thus fighting and killing will always be able to generate a deep, emotional response.

04-29-2008, 02:17 PM	#19
Threshold Legend Join Date: Apr 2002 Home MUD: Threshold RPG Posts: 1,260	Re: Where have we gone wrong? may trigger :p I am not a psychologist, though I play one on tv (not really, but I do have a minor in psych). I think the reason "killing things" is such a common and basic goal in games is because deep down, we still get a visceral thrill from the idea of mortal combat. The idea of it gets our adrenaline pumping in a minor "fight or flight" psychological response. I don't think this reflects anything bad about us as creatures, nor does it mean we are bloodthirsty savages at our core. I think it is just an inescapable reality connected to our origins as a species, and thus fighting and killing will always be able to generate a deep, emotional response.