Why is subway surfers so popular (Psychological explanation)

By M.Farouk Radwan, MSc.

Its all about psychology

Whenever something is mysteriously popular you have to revert back to psychology to get an explanation. Human beings have so many psychological needs that need to be fulfill.

Sometimes they fulfill some of those needs while being aware that they are doing so while in other times they get addicted to certain things without understanding that the reason for this addiction is that those things help them satisfy some of those important needs on the unconscious level.

Here is a simple real life example: So many people smoke cigarettes when they feel stressed because the act of smoking makes them feel in control (because they do the same repetitive move over and over). In such a case those people smoke cigarettes just because they need to feel in control.

Why is subway surfers so popular (Psychological explanation)

So what are the psychological needs subway surfers can help people fullfil? Apart from the pleasant graphics and the color rich enviroment which certainly improves the mood of the player the following are the most common psychological reasons that make the game is addictive:

  • 1) Becoming a rebel: When you play a game or watch a movie you identify with the main character or the character you like the most. In other words, you get to feel what that character feels as a result of believing that you became him for a short period of time. Now the first thing a person feels when he plays subway surfer is that he is a rebel. He does what he wants , breaks the rules, runs away and avoids punishment (see also How psychological identities affect the behaviour)
  • 2) Fulfilling childhood needs: This point is the extension of point number one. Most kids are forced to follow certain rules that they don't like and a result the need of freedom is a commonly developed need in humans. Now when people play Subway surfers they experience that same freedom they always wanted to experience but in a safe virtual enviroment. This is also the reason why so many kids love that game (see also Motivation and needs)
  • 3) Opposing authority figures: The police man running after you in the game represents the authority figures you want to escape from in real life. When you play subway surfers you get the chance to oppose those annoying authority figures then escape from the punishment, Something that every human would want to do at least once in his life.

Addictions psychology

Fortunately getting addicted to subway surfers won't cause a great harm but some other types of addictions are deadly. In my book The Ultimate guide to breaking habits i said that people always try to break habits the wrong way and that's why they never manage to do it.

The right way to break a habit is to understand why your mind needs it from a psychological point of view. Once you find that need you were looking for you will easily be able to replace that harmful habit with a good one that satisfies that same important need in a harmless way.

The book The ultimate guide to breaking bad habits was released by 2knowmyself. The book will help you get over all bad habits that are haunting you in a short period of time.

2knowmysef is not a complicated medical website nor a boring online encyclopedia but rather a place where you 2knowmysef is not a complicated medical website nor a boring online encyclopedia but rather a place where you will find simple, to the point and effective information that is backed by psychology and presented in a simple way that you can understand and apply. If you think that this is some kind of marketing hype then see what other visitors say about 2knowmyself.

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