According to Rob Benson the picture below shows the areas of the brains that become engaged through brain mechanics. It appears that different people enjoy various types of game design. Here are the 7 types of reward centres in the brain that Rob Benson identified: Socializer, Conqueror, Achiever, Mastermind, Seeker, Daredevil, Solver and Survivor.

- Conqueror (Defeat): Science: Some players are not satisfied with winning early – they want to struggle against adversity and fight tooth and nail for victory. When we are up against impossible odds, the body produces both epinephrine (adrenalin) and norepinephrine. This later chemical riles us up, gets us angry and motivated, and when we eventually earn victory the result is especially rewarding. Story: Gamers will retell and retain stories about a hard struggle in a game. This kind of play creates great stories of conquest and triumph that gamers may not experience in reality.
- Socialiser (Relate): Science: People are fun to the Socializer – they like talking to then, they like helping them, they like being around them. There is a part of the brain known as the hypothalamus which serves as the social centre of the brain. When relating positively with other people, a chemical known as oxytocin is produced from this region, which gives a feeling of unity. Story: When gamers play together they become co-authors of the story of their experience. This bond creates a metastory about the relationship in the context of the game.
- Mastermind (Solve): Science: A fiendish puzzle that defines solution or a problem that requires strategy to overcome is the essence of fun to this class. Whenever we face puzzles or must define strategies the decision centre of the brain (the orbito-frontal cortex) is involved. Success in your strategy releases dopamine, rewarding you and encouraging you to play again. Story: How you come to a decision is a story in itself. The steps and routs of logic in your mind are just an inner journey to the destination of victory or achievement.
- Seeker (Explorer): Science: Finding wonderful and curious things is what the seeker enjoys. This stimulates the part of the brain that processes sensory information (the sensory cortices) as well as the memory association centres (hippocampus). This produces a chemical called endomorphin whenever we see something interesting or curious. Story:Every story ever told involves some sort of exploration or discovery. Gamers create long intricate stories every time they play.
- Daredevil (Rush): Science:This play style is all about the thrill of the chase, the excitement of risk taking and generally living on the edge. Excitement of any kind involves adrenalin, which is technically known as epinephrine. Story: Every story should excite you, get you to the edge of your seat. Gamers seek this climatic moment as the character, responsible for the outcome, and not an observer enjoying the ride.
- Survivor (Escape): Science: Some people hate feeling terror, but some people really enjoy the intense excitement of escaping from a terrifying threat. Fear is an experience produced by a particular part of the brain known as the amygdale. Story: Games are the best medium for telling a scary story. The player actually has a stake in the outcome of the story, magnifying the fear factor.
So if you think the brain as a muscle (with more exercise it gets stronger) Gaming is perfect for exercise since it stimulates 7 areas of the brain.