Instant gratification in video games could create expectations of success without hard work

When Super Nintendo and Sega Genesis dominated the video game market, game graphics were simple and gameplay tended to be linear. It was typically necessary to complete levels in a specific order, and players were often unsuccessful in doing so. Completing a game was a process of trial and error – with plenty of errors along the way. But today’s games often provide players with instant rewards and shortcuts, writes Karl Moore in Forbes. This makes it easier to progress without putting in as much effort, and could have a negative impact on children that carries over into adulthood. It can lead to the expectation of being rewarded without having to put in hard work and perseverance. In the workplace, this could translate into an expectation of praise, regardless of the quality of performance.