Why rewards always devalue the game experience

by Jillybean, Sunday, April 21, 2013, 05:49 (4233 days ago) @ Cody Miller

Basically, It would seem that ALL rewards essentially undermine the enjoyment of a game.

When you think about what people do for fun, the entire reason for engaging in a leisure activity is that it's enjoyable.

Yes - I agree. But what if achieving something difficult is considered fun? For example, hunting game. People bring back trophies to prove they've done something difficult. That trophy is then incentive for someone else to do the same or better. I'm not sure I see a difference between that kind of trophy and a virtual one (asides from the animal welfare implications). The fun aspect is in being competitive, either with yourself or with others.