There is a specific anxiety that comes from seeing a map full of unvisited icons. In "The Completionist's Curse," gaming journalist Marcus Lee explores the psychology of "100%ing" a game. Lee argues that modern open-world design exploits our natural urge to tidy up and finish tasks, turning leisure into a second job.The book interviews game designers about "engagement metrics" and how they pad playtime with meaningless collectibles. Lee connects this to broader psychological traits like perfectionism and the fear of missing out (FOMO). Why do we grind for a digital trophy that no one else...
There is a specific anxiety that comes from seeing a map full of unvisited icons. In "The Completionist's Curse," gaming journalist Marcus Lee explore...