I want to make the most addictive app EVER

Posted by jakeDevelops on Tuesday November 15, 2022 @10:01PM
from the self-post dept.

So, I was wondering... If dopamine can keep people addicted to an app, just how long can I keep them hooked? So I started researching dopamine, and I found that I need to include: -Constant positive re-enforcement -Fear of missing out -Anticipation for the future -Lots of notifications -Make them feel bad -Let them comment and like/dislike random things -Lots of bright colours

SO... Do you have any other ideas on how to make it addictive?

( 5 comments | on HN )

Re:I want to make the most addictive app EVER by nireyal on Tuesday November 15, 2022 @10:20PM (#33618403)

Addiction should never be the goal. Addiction is "a compulsive dependency" and is not an ethical design goal. At the end of the day, you need to offer real value, or people will burn out and won't stick around for long. This is why so many games are engaging for a while but then lose steam. Read my book, Hooked: How to Build Habit-Forming Products, to learn how to build engaging products the right way.

[ Parent | on HN ]

Re:I want to make the most addictive app EVER by lob_it on Tuesday November 15, 2022 @10:23PM (#33618430)

Dopamine is not the only thing.

You may want to focus on adrenal gland failure too if you can mix "-Constant positive.......bright colors" into a 5 minute window :p

https://www.healthline.com/health/dopamine-addiction

[ Parent | on HN ]

Re:I want to make the most addictive app EVER by PaulHoule on Tuesday November 15, 2022 @10:08PM (#33618332)

Story that gets you involved with characters.

I think how depressed I was when I got to the bad end of Megadimension Neptunia VII, I quit playing for 24 hours but then jumped right back in.

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Re:I want to make the most addictive app EVER by randomburner99 on Tuesday November 15, 2022 @10:03PM (#33618303)

don't

[ Parent | on HN ]

Re:I want to make the most addictive app EVER by jakeDevelops on Tuesday November 15, 2022 @10:07PM (#33618328)

But just as an experiment.

[ Parent | on HN ]