Real-play-illusion

: Common in electronic gambling, where sensory feedback (lights and sounds) triggers a "win" response even when the player has actually lost money, leading to a persistent overestimation of success.

: Repeated exposure to misinformation in a "playful" or social context can make false statements seem subjectively true, especially if they are presented by trustworthy-seeming influencers or "finfluencers".

: Players interact with real people rather than NPCs, creating social dynamics that mirror real-world consequences. real-play-illusion

The transition from real-world interactions to online environments can shift human cognition into entirely different domains. Final Report - Finfluencers - IOSCO

: In-game economies, property ownership, and career progression (from police to criminals) foster a sense of "parallel life". : Common in electronic gambling, where sensory feedback

The illusion often stems from specific cognitive biases that "trick" the brain into misinterpreting simulated data as genuine reality.

In the context of modern gaming, "real-play-illusion" is most prominently seen in high-fidelity sandbox environments like Realife Simulator , which emphasizes emergent gameplay over scripted missions. In the context of modern gaming, "real-play-illusion" is

: Advanced simulations can lead to a "proprioceptive illusion," where players begin to integrate external digital avatars or devices into their own body representation. 2. Cognitive & Perceptual Distortions