I find it interesting, from my own experience, that video games often are comprised of structured problem solving within clear boundaries and with explicitly stated goals: In many ways it closely resembles something we’d describe as work. Do a unit of work, get a point. Get enough points, you win. Only, the real world is nothing like that. In fact, it’s becoming increasingly less like that with corporate intermediaries and algorithms that are added on top of everything, e.g. empoyers’ Applicant Tracking Systems that automatically throws your job application in the trash because it didn’t include some keyword, or whatever.
I think focusing on the dopamine kicks from the games’ rewards misses part of what make video games effective escapism from many alienated youths and adults. It’s the game themselves that are the escape.