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I'd say life and video games are pretty similar:
And if you think about the “real” goal for a long time, there really isn't any.
The most plausible explanation I can think of, is that some people are just completely captured by the interaction with the screen. It greatly reduces their other senses, especially those related to comfort.
A solid foundation brings you confidence. Maintaining and further strengthening it provides deeper insights, that are otherwise hard to obtain. But when you get comfortable, explorations into something new are the easiest way to see more.