teo47 wrote:
Great post! Regarding the chance aspect of the event and its relationship to video slots in casinos, one of the aspects of video slots that can keep players playing despite losing money repeatedly is the result in which the player "almost wins" a big prize, which has been shown to make a player feel similarly to how he does when he actually does win. In video slots, this is done by giving the player all but one of the reels needed to win a big prize, then the last reel comes up as a loser. In Tapped Out, it's the rotation of prizes landing on Shari Bobbins or the Blocko Store but then ticking over to fences or a tree right at the last second.
Ultimately, I believe the responsibility lies with the player to set a budget and not spend more than he can afford - it's extremely difficult to do this when you always feel like you're one box away from getting that big prize, but it can be done! I am also interested in the psychology of why we feel so strongly about needing to have EVERY available prize. Do we feel inferior if our friends have Shari Bobbins walking around their towns but we don't? Maybe a little bit...I think the funny thing though is that I actually pay very little attention to what buildings and characters my friends have in their towns, so it's probably a bit silly to be overly concerned about what I don't have in mine!
Excellent thoughts! I also feel TSTO employs the "almost winning" technique by having 1) the spins slow down, and 2) having it
almost land on what you want. It's almost rage-inducing!
For me, I could really care less what other players have (except the Apple store...), so I'm not necessarily motivated by keeping up with the Joneses.
And I 100% agree about budget and discipline.
