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Sacred Symbols+, Episode 144: The Psychology of Gaming

Please welcome Jacob Ignagni to Sacred Symbols+. Jacob is a graduate student at the University of Nebraska, where he's studying Clinical Mental Health Counseling. A major point-of-interest for Jacob is the intersection of games and mental health, and our discussion on + focuses on this nexus. We separate things into three categories: The black skies of monetization and retention, the fairer skies of escapism and economy, and the blue skies of literacy, problem solving, and acuity. For those that are deeply interested in how games affect you beyond the controller, well... this chat's very much for you.

Sacred Symbols+, Episode 144: The Psychology of Gaming

Comments

Thank you!

Colin Moriarty

This was great!! I love when we get these episodes on topics I think about a lot that no one else is really discussing. Again, great job!

Joseph Baker

Glad to hear it.

Colin Moriarty

Thanks for listening!

Colin Moriarty

Awesome episode. From another Nebraskan, GO BIG RED!!!

MeatSpin11

cool episode, really enjoyed it

Kyle

We'll have him back!

Colin Moriarty

Thank you for your kind words!

Colin Moriarty

This is the most interesting gaming conversation I have ever heard. I would love for Jacob to be a regular guest like Hoeg.

illicit salt trade

Man, Colin is so far ahead the pack with his interviews lately. LSM is killing it! Really honestly, if we talk about gaming content, I only listen to LSM. I can't listen to other content creators anymore(most of them are so vanilla...), with a few exceptions. But seriously, love all you do LSM!!! 💙💚

Big Boss Games

That's awesome. There can be no doubt games are so relevant to learning how to read!

Colin Moriarty

Firstly, what a fantastic episode. Secondly, to Colin's comments about literacy. I was in remedial reading for first and second grade. I fell in love with final fantasy 7 when I was in third grade, and I became obsessed, I used bring in the strategy guide and read it over and over while at school. My home life was rough so not only did it serve as an escape, but it also forced me to read... And I thank God that it did, because then by fifth grade I began tackling various Michael Crichton novel starting with Jurassic Park. I have no doubt in my mind that Final Fantasy 7 played a pivotal role in my education.

Tonys_Always_Write

Thank you.

Colin Moriarty

This was awesome! I’ve never heard another video game podcast talk about any of this stuff. Great work!

king_ryan_james

If you want Lillymo Games, DM me. =)

Colin Moriarty

<3

Colin Moriarty

That's what's up! What's he playing?

Colin Moriarty

Thank you.

Colin Moriarty

Colin, This was a great convo you had with Jacob. This is probably the most resonant episode of SS+ for me. I am on my way to becoming a recreational therapist and I currently work at 24/7 locked mental health rehab home. The clients I work with suffer from disorders such as Schizophrenia, Borderline Personality Disorder. Bipolar disorder, GAD, depression, and others usually in combination with substance abuse. A lot of these clients have had experience playing video games at the facility, with the most common systems being PS4 and switch. I have seen firsthand how much of a positive impact video games have had on their lives, as it provides them with comfort and lowering their anxiety levels. I even got permission from the facility director to get a ps4 for the clients that they could use during leisure groups in order to play co-op games like overcooked and just dance. They also love smash bros. Video games, I feel, are an incredibly powerful tool to help people who are mentally ill. Shout out to Jacob for wanting to have this conversation!

Will Hahn

Such a well-informed and good guy. Need more people like him that just get it.

Brandon Soto

Love these

drivebyjoe

Hey Colin! You were right about getting elderly people into gaming as a way to keep their mind going. I got my grandpa (who is almost 85) a Ps4 for Christmas back in 2019 and he has been loving playing all these new games. The winter is always rough out here in Chicago and this gives him something to do while he is stuck inside. As always love the show and these Sacred+ Interviews. -CHiP

Anthony Lencioni

Thanks for listening. =)

Colin Moriarty

And also: Is it up to a person to do what they will, as long as they're not hurting anyone and taking care of their defined responsibilities?

Colin Moriarty

They will, or the government will!

Colin Moriarty

This was a great episode. I’m a clinical manager at an addiction treatment program. I’ve noticed people in recovery from drugs switching to other addictions, including videos games. I appreciate you spotlighting this important subject. I’m tempted to reach out to you since I’m a licensed therapist and have seen these issues as well. However, I think you guys already tackled the subject wonderfully!

Dakota Brown

That’s a great attitude on the distinction between harming and helping, Colin. In many ways it’s the same as drugs: are you taking it to enhance the human experience, or are you taking it to escape from it?

Tick Dickler

This is a great topic and something I’ve given tons of thought to over the years. This is a classic case where “law lags ethics”. The large gaming companies have a fiduciary duty to their investors and invest millions in data collection, analyses, and research to develop games that will help them maximize profits. But eventually you get to a point where the current constraints of the law allow companies to start pushing the boundaries of what is ethical. Parents have a responsibility to make sure their kids aren’t stealing their credit card to purchase micro transactions. But it’s difficult to compete with and keep up with the millions of dollars invested by companies to design these games in a way to make gamers feel like they need to purchase these items. I hope that similarly to the ESRB, the industry will come together to reign this in a bit and add some consistency, transparency, and ethical limitations.

Cristian R

Thanks for listening!

Colin Moriarty

Thanks. =)

Colin Moriarty

<3

Colin Moriarty

<3

Colin Moriarty

Thanks for listening.

Colin Moriarty

I haven't been so bricked up from a topic like this in some time. Very curious, great job!

Asique Alam

Yo what the fuck, these interviews are getting wild. This is epic. I learned shit about myself haha and I’m only 15 minutes in xoxoxo keep it up Colin

Adam Barnes

Thanks for listening dude!

Jacob

I've noticed this with my friends as well. There's been a general trend in the majority of my friends migrating to more service based games exclusively, when before there was more variety in what everyone played.

Jacob

Hey everyone! Thanks for listening. If your have any questions, comments, or insight of your own, feel free to respond below! Also, thanks to Colin and the gang for having me on, it was a blast.

Jacob

This was an excellent episode. I hope this guy returns.

Jeremy Seal

Great topic! It’s crazy to think about how Fortnite and Warzone manipulate the mind of some people. I see it first hand with my closest friends where they don’t even play Single Player games anymore and all they want to play is Warzone every night. They hate the game with a passion and are always frustrated when they play yet they always go back for more. Amazing episode. Keep it up!

Jeff Caseres

I just discovered the PS5 trophies discussion, followed up by the forks in the road discussion on Knockback. Now this? You guys are literally on 🔥🔥 Thanks for the content. Have a great day.

Alan Hayden

Another excellent topic and interview.

FourEyes Malone

We'll make it free over the holidays.

Colin Moriarty

I hope you do!

Colin Moriarty

I would love to see this episode made into a freebie at some point. There are several media professors at my university who would find this incredibly interesting and potentially be able to apply some of these ideas to their curriculum or potential research.

Jeremiah

I can already tell I'm going to love this topic

PuppiesOnParade


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