Gaming addiction: App developers, psychologist throw light on harmful task-based games

What turns a game into a fatal command? The question has resurfaced after three sisters in Ghaziabad allegedly ended their lives following the final task of an online game. As similar cases—from the Blue Whale challenge onwards—show, certain task-based games may exploit psychological vulnerabilities, particularly among young and emotionally isolated users.

“Real games are about experiencing the impossible in a safe virtual space. Apps like the Blue Whale challenge or this 'Korean love game' are just traps that hijack the format. I want to be clear that this is not gaming,” discusses Ankush Roy Chowdhury, Lead Gameplay Programmer, Treta Studios. 

Another game and app developer, Inbasagar Nadar, Founder, Radan Games, firstly points out that people should not confuse videogames with these harmful "challenges" and task-based gaming options. “As game developers our intention is always about creating fun experiences and letting people enjoy stuff that they can't in the real world. But for anyone creating harmful “challenges” have no monetary or any other incentive to do so —their motives are often purely malicious.”

‘It is true that developers use psychology for things like in-app purchases, but these apps weaponise those tactics. Comparing them is like confusing a slot machine with a theme park. One is built for fun while the other is just a system of control,” Chowdhury seconds Nadar.  

Dark patterns

Nadar then throws light on dark patterns, such as daily bonus and rewards, deliberately used to keep gamers hooked for long hours or seek repeated engagement, which could potentially lead to addiction.

"Almost everything today—apps, video games, social media platforms, e-commerce sites, etc—now uses what we call dark patterns. A game might give you a reward for logging in or playing a round daily, regardless of whether you win or lose. The rewards increase every day as long as you maintain a streak. One of the highest friction points is simply getting the player to open the app. Once they do, they subconsciously think, might as well play one round. If you miss even a single day, you’re forced to start over from day one,” he notes. 

“Over time, players also accumulate badges and achievements. These items have no real-life value and no actual in-game advantage—they’re just showpieces or trophies. However, because the player has already invested so much time (and possibly money), they become emotionally attached. This makes it difficult to quit or uninstall the game,” Nadar adds. 

However, the question lies in whether a game can become so addictive and controlling that one could agree to end life. 

Earlier, the 'Blue Whale challenge' was reported to be "suicide game" played online by several teenagers who went across 50 tasks over 50 days, the final one demanding them to quit life. In a much recent incident, three sisters from Ghaziabad, India died after jumping from a high-rise allegedly following a 'task' from an addictive Korean game. 

On the other hand, researches on Pokémon Go tried to understand whether the mobile app affected the incidence of self-harm or aided to stop suicide. The smartphone app is playing a positive role at one of the nation's notorious suicide spots, discouraging people from killing themselves, read a report in The Japan Times. A study made available on the National Institutes of Health (NIH) concluded that self-harm incidence in Hong Kong, particularly in adults, showed a significant decline in the period after Pokémon Go was launched. 

Psychologist’s word

Acknowledging that gaming addictions have become extremely common in recent times,  Clinical Psychologist Jahanvi Agrawal explains what leads to is a combination of our environmental factors and neurochemistry. “Games developed these days are meant to keep the players engaged as they have many short duration levels which feed into a child's reward system. It gives a false sense of achievement and also creates an anticipation for more if they keep playing. This is what eventually leads to addiction.”

Furthermore, she highlights that fight/kill driven action games can lead to increased aggression in kids and cause emotional dysregulation. 

Nadar comments here and says, "We've had violence in games for a few decades now, that didn't turn us violent and go berserk. And now that Gen Z and Gen Alpha have grown up with technology, we must remain vigilant for vulnerable individuals who struggle to separate the virtual from the real. Support systems, parents and friend groups, are the true frontline; we cannot expect government regulations or app stores to "parent" us. So, a ban is not ideal. Instead, protecting our community starts with awareness and parenting, not restrictive legislation.”

Signs of addictions that parents must NOT miss:

1. Increased irritability, sadness, or anxiety when games are taken away,

2. Withdrawal from activities such as socialising with peers, focusing on studies,

3. Lying about the time spent playing, 

4. Preoccupied with games and thoughts of gaming, 

5. Putting relationships and studies at risk of jeopardising to play games

6. Increased urge to play the games

7. Lying about the money spent or stealing money to spend to buy upgradations in games

Seek help

AI chatbots can create an accessible entry point but professional help can’t be skipped altogether. It is sincerely advised to consult a psychologist if the signs of addictions are observed. 

While not many are aware, the psychologist states that there are rehabilitation facilities for behaviour addictions such as gaming gambling addictions. 

The psychologist has worked at a rehab centre in Pune. She shares that clients, who have taken treatment for behaviour addictions, often report feeling more confident about their recovery. As through treatment, they learn to identify the problem areas, healthy coping mechanisms, and also ways they can prevent themselves from relapsing. Addictions have a grave impact on lives of not only the individual but also their loved ones. And it is very important to recognize the signs and get timely help.