Salience Network, Default Mode Network (DMN), and Executive-Control Network (ECN).
Since this is a gaming community, I will only focus on games.
The Salience Network is responsible for selecting which mode to operate between DMN and ECN depending on the situation.
ECN is activated when there is an external task that needs to be solved right away.
When fast reaction speed of 0.1 second is required, when complex decision-making is required with a lot of information such as resources, skill cooldown, and enemy location to be considered at the same time, when immediate audio and visual rewards are given for actions, and in the process of identifying unfamiliar boss patterns and learning how to respond.
This is the most strongly stimulated circuit.
The DMN, on the other hand, is activated when external stimulation relaxes and internal simulation returns.
When doing repetitive simple monster hunting and resource farming tasks that require brain drain,
There is nothing to manipulate right away, but when planning a long-term strategy or predicting the future, such as in civilization, chess, or baduk,
When looking at the scenery without a destination or empathizing with the emotions of a character,
When I design and create what I want without a set answer,
However, if a game company only stimulates ECN, problems arise.
Time spent admiring the scenery or talking to NPCs is all a waste of time.
All movement routes are fixed to only the shortest distance, and only focus on goals and skill cooldowns.
Skip all dialogue and story and focus only on what to press to melt the enemy.
If the brain only returns to the ECN, it must continue to process external information without a break, so this is a quick guideline.
Even if there is an open world, I only see the surroundings of my character and the minimap.
In the end, it becomes high-intensity labor and complicated machine operation, and the excitement of adventure disappears.
It is often expressed as ‘I am in a hurry.’
Games that only stimulate the ECN without involving the DMN end up repeating mechanical play that only responds to signals that appear on the screen.
Creative strategies and your own style come from the default mode network (DMN).
So the game quickly becomes monotonous. ‘Why am I doing this?
Games that strongly stimulate ECN do not do well in IP business because they do not form attachment to characters or the world, and when other games that stimulate ECN come out, people leave without any regrets.
ECN is mainly dominated by stimulating hyper-casual games and games that endlessly repeat battles just for rewards.
However, when a game company creates a game that stimulates the DMN, a game like this comes out.
There is no pressure of competition and control, so it allows the overloaded brain to rest, and moving through the narrative with slow breathing provides psychological comfort. Same effect as when actually meditating.
‘If this world is like this
Human beings create their own ways to play when there is no set goal, and this allows them to demonstrate their creative genius.
It makes you think philosophically about the abstract questions the game asks.
I empathize with the character’s emotions and internalize the events in the game as if I had experienced them myself.
So, how does it change if you stimulate the DMN in a game that mainly stimulates the ECN?
Mandatory goals must be eliminated. Instead of catching something or collecting something, ‘just wander around the world’.
Minimize the messy UI that fills the screen.
Emphasizes social bonds with NPCs and other users rather than competition.
Deploying narrative devices that connect players’ emotions with the game or make them make philosophical values and moral choices.
However, it may be difficult for users who are accustomed to ECN-oriented stimulation to be motivated because there is no clear reward.
In DMN-centered stimulation, ‘meaning’, not reward, is the motivation. Commonly referred to as ‘intrinsic motivation’.
When the situation in the game matches my values or experience, I really want to see the ending even if there is no reward.
The DMN is mainly activated in free imagination, so ‘what is beyond that mountain?’
If you do not provide all the information and are made to make your own inferences, the human brain develops an instinct to fill in the blanks.
Not to achieve a goal, but just a desire to rest the brain,
This becomes motivation in DMN-centered stimulation.
The motivation for ECN-centered games is the thrilling sense of conquest, ‘If you do this, I will give you a reward,’ and cools off quickly when the reward is cut off.
The motivation behind DMN-centered games is, ‘Aren’t you curious what this means?
As a result, ECN stimulation requires physicality and learning;
DMN stimulation is instinctive, so even elderly people and young children enjoy audio-visual stimulation and are easily immersed in it.
Games that stimulate the DMN are not difficult or complicated and have value as digital art or relaxation that anyone can enjoy.
IP business is also possible.
Games that stimulate ECN mainly:
Valorant, LoL, Overwatch, Apex Legends, Soullike, StarCraft, etc.
Games that primarily stimulate the DMN:
Dongsup, Sims, Stardew Valley, Journey, Flower, Sky Children of Light, Abzu, Minecraft Creative Mode, Townscaper, etc.
A game where the Salience Network controls ECN and DMN in the middle:
Zelda Breath of the Wild, Zelda Wangnun, Redemption 2, Civilization, etc.