> Games are being designed to push users to spend money.
Every business is designed to push their clients to spend money. Some are better at it than others.
> Whats the difference between this and gambling in casinos?
There's no possibility of winning, so no way to delude yourself that the money you spend is an "investment", or to try to make back your losses. And we haven't (yet) seen anything like the scale of social problems caused by casino gambling.
> Are users aware that algorithms are being gamed to maximize profits?
Maybe. But honestly what's the difference between an algorithm and a human salesman? (e.g. I've heard it alleged that Dumas and Dickens deliberately stretched and optimized their serialized stories, to maximize their profits) Does it matter?
An algorithm can make the game harder after it confirms you are willing to buy items. It's getting to the point where games are short circuiting your ability to reason.
Every business is designed to push their clients to spend money. Some are better at it than others.
> Whats the difference between this and gambling in casinos?
There's no possibility of winning, so no way to delude yourself that the money you spend is an "investment", or to try to make back your losses. And we haven't (yet) seen anything like the scale of social problems caused by casino gambling.
> Are users aware that algorithms are being gamed to maximize profits?
Maybe. But honestly what's the difference between an algorithm and a human salesman? (e.g. I've heard it alleged that Dumas and Dickens deliberately stretched and optimized their serialized stories, to maximize their profits) Does it matter?