Is Satisfactory designed to be addictive?

[randyeischer]

I left a scathing review of the game after playing about 57 hours in the first two weeks after I started playing, and a big part of my criticism is that the game is too addictive. It keeps you playing by giving you tons of tasks you can find creative solutions to and feel excited about completing. But it's constant, there's always something to do, and there is no point where it's like reaching the end of a chapter so you can say "There, I'm done for the night. Time to go to bed!"

(Some quick math shows I've been averaging 26 hours per week on this game. And I work two jobs, and have two kids. This...is not good.)

Then I just saw these tweets from "Vivian" @suchnerve:

"you could probably seduce an AuDHD man by giving him clearly-worded tasks (side quests) which consistently result in direct positive feedback from you, and eventually lead to you directly telling him you’re interested in him romantically rather than expecting him to figure it out"

But...ADA isn't very positive at all. And:

"it’s because task completion provides dopamine (for the ADHD) and direct positive communication provides oxytocin (for the autism) so basically you’ve got a perfect formula for a reward cycle that leads to social bonding"

So, would "Vivian" suggest we're being romantically manipulated by ADA, but every time we hope for a payoff, we get friendzoned instead?

Meanwhile, we're working ourselves to death to please her, and getting nothing in return.

[Maehlice]

Originally posted by randyeischer:

"you could probably seduce an AuDHD man by giving him clearly-worded tasks (side quests) which consistently result in direct positive feedback from you, and eventually lead to you directly telling him you’re interested in him romantically rather than expecting him to figure it out"

All humans want positive feedback, and I'd venture all men want clear communication without any expectation of being a mindreader.

As to your title question, the game is meant to be enjoyable. That you make time to play ~2 hours a day is simply evidence they did their jobs well.

[Ryzilynt]

Watch a movie, read a book, knit a sweater, play a game, solve world peace.

You do what you enjoy.

[Kage Goomba]

You think the game is bad for being too addictive.

*saves game and quits for the day to take care of real life tasks - pay bills - show up for work*

[LordErec42]

I don't think Satisfactory goes out of its way to be addictive like some abusive games do with intentionally incorporating gambling elements and FOMO mechanics into the main gameplay loop. In fact, the game has built-in reminders to let you know how long you've been playing to help you limit your gametime. Only thing the developers really could do better is display your local time on the UI which very few games do unfortunately. You can literally save at anytime and quit, it's not like the bad old days of limited save checkpoints where you do risk losing progress for quitting when it's convenient for you.

That said, some people absolutely love planning/optimization challenges and for those people this game will be very addictive and hard to put down.

[randyeischer]

Originally posted by Kage Goomba:

You think the game is bad for being too addictive.

*saves game and quits for the day to take care of real life tasks - pay bills - show up for work*

There are things I've, umm, deferred because I couldn't get away from the game.

The laundry pile is embarrassing, and dishes, and I mentioned in my review that my 40th high school reunion occurred just after 1.0 released and I do believe I may have bailed on some potential social activities because I wanted to get back home to play.

WoW was the only other game I've had issues like this with, and I walked away from that crackhouse 4 years ago.

[randyeischer]

Originally posted by LordErec42:

I don't think Satisfactory goes out of its way to be addictive like some abusive games do with intentionally incorporating gambling elements and FOMO mechanics into the main gameplay loop. In fact, the game has built-in reminders to let you know how long you've been playing to help you limit your gametime. Only thing the developers really could do better is display your local time on the UI which very few games do unfortunately. You can literally save at anytime and quit, it's not like the bad old days of limited save checkpoints where you do risk losing progress for quitting when it's convenient for you.

That said, some people absolutely love planning/optimization challenges and for those people this game will be very addictive and hard to put down.

I could easily see the Sink acting as a gambling mechanism--intentionally building high-value items just to Sink them so you can get tickets.

[Fenix]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=arFtIiUBga4

[Mochan]

Definitely addictive. For the right kind of gamer, it is digital crack.

[Twelvefield]

Oh, Great Zeus, the crazy dreams I get from playing this game. Nightmares about endless conveyor belts and unsortable containers. Definitely the game is too addictive.

Looking at the STEAM forum, I'd also guess that a wider than normal population distribution would identify as autistic. I suppose it's remotely possible that the game devs are targetting autistic people for whatever purpose, maybe like The Last Starfighter or Ender's Game. But then I also guess that STEAM users in general could be autistic more often than not. The forums themselves can be addictive enough.

[Oceanstorm]

Most people have no problem maintaining a balance between different areas of their lives (work and play).
If you are finding that difficult (and lets be honest, for a lot of people in this day and age, it is difficult...especially around gaming), might I respectfully suggest that you may need to reach out and speak to someone about it.

edit: spelling

[Ryzilynt]

Originally posted by Mochan:

Definitely addictive. For the right kind of gamer, it is digital crack.

This is the correct answer.

[Ryzilynt]

Originally posted by Twelvefield:

Oh, Great Zeus, the crazy dreams I get from playing this game. Nightmares about endless conveyor belts and unsortable containers. Definitely the game is too addictive.

Looking at the STEAM forum, I'd also guess that a wider than normal population distribution would identify as autistic. I suppose it's remotely possible that the game devs are targetting autistic people for whatever purpose, maybe like The Last Starfighter or Ender's Game. But then I also guess that STEAM users in general could be autistic more often than not. The forums themselves can be addictive enough.

I dream in this game, sometimes.

But it's incorporated into semi-rl scenarios - Optimize this process... here are the numbers, here is the layout. Make it work! I say "semi" because they always seem to include belts, splitters, and mergers.

[randyeischer]

Originally posted by B:

speak to people about everything. but not Everything.I was simply suggesting a good way to learn. like an excersize(exercise).

If you're driving your kids to a relative's house for the holidays and have a story you need to tell about every oldies song that plays on the radio, you might be autistic. (cough)

[ShelLuser]

So basically.. instead of playing Satisfactory you'd rather play the blame game, but without mirrors involved. Each to their own I guess.

[Ryzilynt]

Originally posted by B:

I do love discussing. its not arguing. its discussing.

of course.