Completing an exceptional video game can often leave players with an unexpected sense of unease, and Polish researchers suggest that gamers may be experiencing a phenomenon they term “post-game depression.”
For many players, finishing a lengthy, immersive game doesn’t bring satisfaction but rather a profound feeling of emptiness, sadness, and loss. Psychologists from SWPS University and the Stefan Batory Academy of Applied Sciences have published their findings on this topic in the journal Current Psychology.
The researchers emphasize that this is not a clinical diagnosis, but rather a complex of intense emotional experiences referred to as “post-game depression.” To better understand and measure this phenomenon, they have developed the world’s first assessment tool, the “Post-Game Depression Scale” (P-GDS).
The study involved 373 players, and their analysis identified four key elements of this phenomenon: intrusive thoughts about the game, difficulty accepting the ending, a strong urge to immediately replay the game, and a diminished interest in other forms of media. It was found that fans of Role-Playing Games (RPGs) are particularly susceptible, as they tend to form the strongest attachments to characters and become deeply immersed in the game world.
Researchers compare this state to a form of mourning for the loss of a significant life stage or relationship. For these individuals, games transcend mere entertainment, becoming a genuine source of profound emotional experiences.