Nicely put, and this is exactly what I dislike about video games. Adrenaline pumps, my heart goes crazy, I sweat and grip the controller till my hands turn white, and I feel totally overloaded.
Put me on a mountain bike on a crazy descent, in REAL danger, and those same fears lead me to the highest highs.
Maybe it's just the cadence. I want 5-10 minutes of intense fear focus followed by good long period of relative safety to bask in the conquest, but video games just keep pouring shot after shot of adrenaline.
Not a scientist, but it feels like what I want is endorphins -> adrenaline + endorphins -> endorphins, and what video games gives me is adrenaline + endorphins -> adrenaline + endorphines -> arenaline + endorphins
This sounds very intense and it'd certainly turn me off games. I hope this doesn't read as condescending, but have you considered trying some games that aren't based on that feedback loop? Like grand strategy or management games? Few of the deep games that I engage with for a long time have the cadence you're describing.
Yes I like strategy games but I was responding to the type of game that gets adrenaline flowing. Timing games and shooters. Even old prince of Persia was too much for me :)
Put me on a mountain bike on a crazy descent, in REAL danger, and those same fears lead me to the highest highs.
Maybe it's just the cadence. I want 5-10 minutes of intense fear focus followed by good long period of relative safety to bask in the conquest, but video games just keep pouring shot after shot of adrenaline.
Not a scientist, but it feels like what I want is endorphins -> adrenaline + endorphins -> endorphins, and what video games gives me is adrenaline + endorphins -> adrenaline + endorphines -> arenaline + endorphins