I have a hypothesis and an idea. Bear with me through a series of statements and questions.
The payoff of a task is in the hit of accomplishment gained from a job (well) done.
Video games (everything from freecell to The Sims) give artificial tasks that provide (largely)meaningless feelings of accomplishment.
Time and energy that could be used to accomplish tangible things in the real world are instead used to accomplish the goals set out as artificial tasks in video games.
The drive to accomplish is transferred from reality to video game.
Video games are a more convenient accomplishment engine because they give a series of small, easy to accomplish goals.
How do we use video games as substrates for real accomplishment?
Can the structure of small, easy goals be applied to real things that need to be done?
In short, can we use video games as engines to accomplish real life tasks?
The payoff of a task is in the hit of accomplishment gained from a job (well) done.
Video games (everything from freecell to The Sims) give artificial tasks that provide (largely)meaningless feelings of accomplishment.
Time and energy that could be used to accomplish tangible things in the real world are instead used to accomplish the goals set out as artificial tasks in video games.
The drive to accomplish is transferred from reality to video game.
Video games are a more convenient accomplishment engine because they give a series of small, easy to accomplish goals.
How do we use video games as substrates for real accomplishment?
Can the structure of small, easy goals be applied to real things that need to be done?
In short, can we use video games as engines to accomplish real life tasks?
I would challenge the notion that video games only "provide (largely)meaningless feelings of accomplishment" and indeed would ask you to justify that statement as it's somewhat core to your argument. I, on the other hand, would argue that the sense of accomplishment in overcoming some challenge in a video game is quite meaningful and can be both satisfying and an opportunity for learning and development.
I should qualify. I suppose what I really mean is intangible. I mean feelings of accomplishment that aren't related to a concrete, physical goal, as opposed to the less tangible feelings of personal fulfilment and worth. So yes, I agree with you that they are valuable for affirmation and warm-fuzzies, even if they don't serve to accomplish tangible goals.