Needs

If one relies on Maslow's

theory, then first the needs
of the lower levels must be
Maslow's satisfied, to be able to
dedicate oneself to the
hierarchy of Self-
next higher level.
realization
needs
Esteem Needs
Recognition

Social Needs
Relationships

Safety Needs
Employment, Home

Physiological Needs
Food, Water, Sleep

Social Relationships
✓ People have the basic instinct of wanting to work together
✓ Community play can create a strong bond
✓ In the game communication can be used to establish and maintain relationships
✓ Players dare to live out feelings and behaviors that they would hide in real life
A multiplayer mode allows players to satisfy their need for contact and communication. The
additional ability to work in a team or to own something together can make the game even
more popular.

The Psychology of Games – Secrets of Good Game Design

Recognition
✓ People want to be accepted and appreciated by other people
✓ Multiplayer modes offer players the opportunity to present themselves and their
successes to other players
✓ If the game doesn’t offer a multiplayer mode, a high score can be used to meet both
needs
A high score can be used to measure the skill level of a player by a number. This number
reflects his success in the form of points that he has achieved overall.

Success
✓ The achievements of the player can be presented to others primarily through awards
and high scores
✓ Awards for success can motivate the player to keep going and achieve more
✓ Success increases self-esteem, because you know you can achieve something

Self-Realization
✓ The need for self-realization is rarely fulfilled in real life
✓ Features that allow players to create their own things contribute significantly to
fulfilling this need
✓ Here too, a multiplayer mode can be of great importance, but it is not a requirement

Notes

The Psychology of Games – Secrets of Good Game Design