Why We Keep Playing the Same Games Over & Over Again

It has been said that only two things are guaranteed: death and taxes. But that’s not the whole truth, is it? Human beings are creatures of habit. We see this daily in our actions, what we say, and how we think. It takes a lot to upend a set routine. 

Consider your daily thoughts, deeds, and patterns of behavior. They’re pretty predictable, aren’t they? Of course, special events, circumstances, and occasions will always disrupt an otherwise expected routine. 

The Appeal of Familiarity in Gaming

Games and the players who enjoy them are like magnets that attract. There is something innately appealing about games and their dedicated audience. A deep familiarity and longing keep players glued to their favorite games. 

It has little to do with the game’s complexity or lack thereof. We see this throughout human history, with thousands of popular games readily available worldwide. And yet, some of the most rudimentary games consistently boast high player numbers.

Strategy-based games like poker and chess are prime examples. Despite the fixed rule set of these games, players feel tethered to them for many reasons. The psychology behind strategy-based games goes much deeper than many imagined possible. 

Poker: A Strategic Battle of Wits

We begin this fascinating exploration with a look at the world’s premier strategy-based card game, poker. True-to-form poker tests a player’s ability to manage multiple variables simultaneously. Every game of poker is different, largely due to the innumerable combinations of cards that can present on any given draw. 

Granted, seasoned poker players know how to play poker. But that knowledge doesn’t stop them from learning how to become better poker players. It’s a funny old game; players who stop trying to learn how to play poker better fall on their swords. There is no room for conceit in strategy-based games. 

Savvy poker players are constantly testing themselves, their opponents, and the rule-based framework of the game. 

The Endless Learning Curve in Poker

Psychology-based games like poker are inherently appealing because these games engage all the senses. Savvy players are always on the lookout for poker tells. There are surefire ways to pick up on player uncertainty and bluffs even online. 

It’s all part and parcel of the learning curve in poker. The world’s premier poker players never got complacent, nor did they get tired of playing poker. It’s hard not to play when a game challenges you on every level, engages your faculties, and excites you with potential rewards.

Chess is a Timeless Game of Strategy

Chess is another classic example of a strategy-based game thousands of years old. Again, chess is a rules-based game with a clear objective: beat your opponent by checkmating them. Every piece on a chessboard moves according to a set of rules. 

• Pawns: Move forward one square at a time, but on their first move, they can move either one or two squares. They capture diagonally.
• Bishops: Move diagonally any number of squares, but only on squares of the same color.
• Queens: Move any number of squares in any direction: horizontally, vertically, or diagonally.
• Kings: Move only one square in any direction.
• Castles/Rooks: Move any number of squares horizontally or vertically.
• Knights: Move in an L-shape: Two squares in one direction and one square perpendicular to that, or vice versa. Knights are the only pieces that can jump over others.

Such is the nature of chess, that it never gets old. Every game is challenging; some games are impossibly difficult or unbelievably easy to win. But the tactical and strategic elements of chess make it a treasured attraction for the greatest chess players. 

Nowadays, many chess games are offered online with virtual or computer-generated opponents. Levels of play can be tailored to player preferences, with beginner, intermediate, and professional-level chess games readily available.

Why We Return to Familiar Games

Indeed, it is interesting that we keep playing the same games. However, a closer examination of our playing preferences presents clear reasons for this. It is true that players gravitate towards games that offer comfort and convenience. 

The familiarity of these games, coupled with rules-based play, makes them so utterly appealing to generations of players. Even with the dramatic and unprecedented advances in gaming technology, classics remain the go-to attractions for millions of players.