For this week’s critical play, I played Blackjack (otherwise known as 21) online on a website called 24/7 Blackjack. There were no other players, just myself and the computer dealer. Though the creator is unknown, the first mention of Blackjack in history is by Miguel de Cervantes, a Spanish author. The target audience is adults, as the nature of the game is relatively simple and has no flashy or otherwise attractive nature.
This specific version of the game, being online, likely does not have the same level of risk for addiction as the physical version or a version played in an actual casino. However, there are a number of factors that do enhance the risk of addiction. Ease of betting and dealing, realistic aesthetic sounds, and celebratory sounds are three factors that increase the addictiveness of 24/7 Blackjack
Blackjack is deceptively seen as a skill game. Many players consider themselves ‘good’ or ‘bad’ at Blackjack because they believe that they are skilled at knowing when to hit or stand. This is false, however, as the value of the next card is random and cannot be determined. Because of the idea that one can be skilled at Blackjack, it separates itself from other games of chance, such as slots, that require less interactivity and therefore do not disguise themselves as games of skill.
Blackjack engages with probability by having a 52 card deck, the player being delt 2 cards and an optional third (or more), and the dealer being delt 2 cards and a potential third (or more). The goal is to get as close to 21 as possible, without going over. If the dealer is closer to 21 than the player, then the player loses. The probability of the player’s third card depends on the number cards left in the deck. The probability of the dealer’s second (and potentially more) card(s) also depends on the number of cards left in the deck. Thus, in the later rounds, one might be able to successfully predict the remaining cards.
Ease of betting and dealing
In 24/7 Blackjack, the ‘deal’ button is central, and the only clickable button in view, aside from a chat button that tells you to bet, a home button that returns to tell you to play, and a audio on/off switch. From the user’s POV, the obvious choice is to click the ‘deal’ button (after adding chips to bet). The chips are also conveniently stacked to the left, clustered together and near the deal button for easy access. Their colors stand out against the drab board, enticing you to click them.
Realistic aesthetic sounds
Once you have clicked on a chip, you are rewarded auditorily with a soft, crisp, clacking sound of the chips being stacked on top of one another. This clack is so satisfying, that it leads to player to click several times, upping the stakes. Once the player clicks the ‘deal’ button, the ‘dealer’ places cards onto the board. This is also rewarded with smooth gliding sounds of the cards passing over one another, as well as a solid thump as the dealer presses them onto the board. These sounds replicate the experience of real-life Blackjack very well. If a player were to be making the switch from physical Blackjack to virtual Blackjack, this auditory system would make it very easy.
Winning and losing sounds
Once you choose to hit or stand, and the result of the game is shown, you are either rewarded or punished with a complementary sound. The losing ending sounds deflated, disappointing, and frustrating. It is very similar to the iconic “wah wah” losing sound. The winning ending sounds celebratory, with a proud trumpet and small bells. Once the sound ends, the player clicks once more and returns to the betting screen, where they are inclined to deal another round. There is no clear ending to this game.
Critique
In my experience, I played until I ran out of money, as that seemed the only indicator of when I should stop. Even when I won money, I was unsure if I was making a net profit or not, and I was inclined to keep playing over and over again since the end of a round only brought me back to the dealing screen. The player’s total amount of money is likely intentionally small on the screen, smaller than the chips even, so that the player is disinclined to pay attention to the shrinking number.
From a game architechture perspective, the endless looping of the game is very unsatisfying. Each round is the same as the last, and yet, the player does not actually learn any skills. Thus, there is an air of mystery gained by the randomness of the cards. If a player is experienced in games, they might expect that their skill level would increase over time, leading to increased winnings over time. However, due to the fact that Blackjack is a game of chance, not skill, the ratio of winnings to losings will likely remain the same throughout the game. In relation to the looping, this means that a player is inclined to keep playing this looping cycle until they believe they have increased their skill level, or more likely, lost all of their money. The unsatisfying loop of 24/7 Blackjack is an asset to the addictiveness of the game.
From a non-gambling, relatively young player, I believe that the simplicity and non-flashiness of 24/7 Blackjack is a flaw in it attempt to garner addiction in its players. I suggest the addition of confetti, balloons, or flashing lights when a player wins money. This is very similar to the “Congratulations!” screen when an assignment is submitted on Canvas, where confetti rain down the screen. This very small addition has already improved my experience on Canvas greatly.
Another suggestion would be adding some animation graphic showing money stashed in one’s pocket to emphasize the winnings one has made, rather than simply adding or subtracting from their existing sum. This would create the false impression that the cash one has won is not being lost or spent as the player continues to play.
Both of the above suggestions would likely add to the satisfaction of winning, and the illusion of mastery in a chance game.
