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Emotions test reveals: The online purchases making us 67% happier!

Published

5 years ago

March 24, 2021

George Miller

Reading Time: 4 minutes

On average, online purchases are found to raise our positive feelings by 56%
Participants reported the biggest increase in happiness when purchasing houseplants – positive emotions soared by 67%
Gaming console purchases saw the second highest increase in positive feelings (+66%)
Trainers and fiction books are also among the purchases raising positive emotions most
Holidays abroad came in last; participants noted high levels of excitement but also reported an increase in concern due to its uncertainty

Thanks to ‘doom shopping’, it was revealed that the UK spends three times more when online shopping compared to the global average, costing the average person a whooping £1,382 per year! Clearly these purchases keep us coming back for more, but how do we enjoy splashing our cash the most?
Interested in online shopping, money.co.uk conducted an emotions test among 2,560 participants to discover which online purchases bring us the most joy!

Participants were asked to complete a variation* of the BMIS test (Brief Mood Intensity Scale) and record the intensity of 10 different emotions after making an online purchase. The intensity of each emotion was allocated a score based on its positivity, with a maximum score of 500 points per item – the higher the score, the better. Participants were also asked to complete the same test before making any purchases to uncover the percentage increase in positive emotions when shopping.

Which online purchases make us happiest?

Money.co.uk can reveal that a houseplant purchase increases our intensity of positive emotions more than any other transaction!
Collecting 478 points out of a potential 500, moods improved by 67% after making a plant purchase. Plants are proven to invoke feelings of vitality by improving the state of mind and lifting spirits – no wonder it scores highly!
With the PS5 still proving hard to get, purchasing a gaming console is the second online transaction that makes us happiest.

As many gamers are left on the edge of their seats waiting to snatch the latest console, it accumulated 475 points out of 500, and purchasing a console was found to raise positive feelings by 66% on average.
In third position are trainer purchases. With the demand for sneakers like Jordan 1s only increasing, those who purchased new trainers reported a 64% increase in happiness, and purchases racked up 472 points.
With bookworms reported to be happier than those who don’t read, the transaction that makes us fourth happiest is a fiction book, improving positive emotions by 64% and collecting 470 points.
Due to the huge surge in personal fitness and wellbeing during lockdown, home gym equipment purchases are found to make us fifth happiest! This transaction led to a 63% increase in positive emotions and scored a healthy 468 points.

To complete the top 10 purchases that increase our intensity of positive emotions:
6. Video game: 466 points, +62%
7. Eyeshadow palette: 465 points, +62%
8. Scented candle: 463 points, +61%
9. Exercise clothing: 461 points, +61%
10. Fashion jewellery: 459, +60%

Coming in last is a holiday abroad with 393 points out of 500 (+37%). Those who plan on jet-setting this year reported high levels of excitement and happiness but were pushed down the table as feelings of worry and nerves due to its current uncertainty.
Interested in the reasons behind our vast improvement in positive feelings, money.co.uk spoke exclusively to Lee Chambers, psychologist and wellbeing consultant, to uncover why shopping makes us happy.
“Online shopping has the ability to make us happy through several different mechanisms. Firstly, even in a world of plenty, we are still evolutionarily designed to consider scarcity. Because of this, acquiring new items, especially when discounted or limited, tends to make us happy, the feeling we have satisfied a need and potentially averted a future threat.

Shopping is also an exercise in control. We select from millions of items precisely what we want, and especially in the uncertain times we live in, we know we will get exactly what we have purchased, and it will be delivered straight to us. This control of selection and guarantee of receipt is powerful, as it becomes a defined event. We also build a level of expectation and anticipation from the moment we press the purchase button, as we believe we now have ownership over the item but have a delay until it is with us physically.

From a cultural perspective, we have been conditioned to see shopping as a reward, either an investment in ourselves or for the satisfaction of others. Shopping is likely to activate the nucleus accumbens in our brain, releasing dopamine and motivating us to repeat the behaviour. Buying printed media taps into our desire to better ourselves, gain knowledge, understand the world around us and provide stories and entertainment that can take us on a journey. And let’s not forget how lovely they look on your bookshelf on a video call, as books have become a decorative symbol over the past year.

And why do we keep buying? Our brain is adaptive, and shopping can relieve stress, provide entertainment when bored and give us a hit of dopamine. The rewarding feeling will keep us finding new things to purchase, especially since our excitement and anticipation fade once we’ve received the item.”

Catherine Hilley, mobiles expert at money.co.uk, said: “Our research reveals how small purchases can increase customers’ emotions in a positive way, something we all need after the past 12 months. With an average 63% increase in positive emotions noted across all top 10 purchases, it seems that shopping online for items such as houseplants, trainers and candles are sparking a lot more joy at the moment, than booking a holiday, which comes with a lot of added uncertainty.”

For more information, please see the blog post for the full rankings and a breakdown by sex, and age: https://www.money.co.uk/mobiles/online-shopping-joy

Gamebeat

QTech Games steps up the tempo with GameBeat

Published

43 minutes ago

November 27, 2025

George Miller

qtech-games-steps-up-the-tempo-with-gamebeat

Reading Time: 2 minutes

Emerging-markets leader expands its content offering with new games from emerging force

QTech Games, the leading game aggregator for emerging markets, has continued to build the strong momentum in its premium pipeline, thanks to its latest deal with rising-star, GameBeat, a slots supplier known for its cinematic games.

Integrating an exceptional portfolio from one of the most visually stunning and highly detailed digital slots providers adds yet more creative muscle to QTech Games’ burgeoning platform, which is taking the widest range of online games to emerging territories, with established names sitting alongside the industry’s most exciting up-and-coming providers.

The games made available to QTech partners via the deal are comprised of popular hits and recent releases, including Clint Westwild, Spin 4 Dead 2: Zombietown, Fortune of Flint, Scandipigs, Buffalo Golden Canyon, and Lucky Wildano – all of which ride on the back of unique maths modelling that varies the volatility spectrum, helping to create some truly engaging gameplay.

The deal organically broadens GameBeat’s international footprint, unlocking untapped jurisdictions for diversified growth from Asia to Africa, and Latin America to Eastern Europe, including Serbia, where GameBeat is based.

Philip Doftvik, QTech Games’ CEO, said: “We’re committed to rolling out first-class content that drives revenue for our partners. So, this deal with GameBeat extends our impressive sequential pipeline – and we’ve so much more to come in 2026!.”

Sofiya Balakina, Business Development Manager of GameBeat, added: “At GameBeat, we’re committed to perfectionism — from the graphics and sound effects to the gameplay mechanics and features. That’s what keeps our players coming back for more. By combining creativity and technology to craft unique, engaging online slots with distinctive graphics and features, we raise the bar for a premium gaming experience.

“Consequently, collaborating with QTech represents a fantastic opportunity to strengthen our product distribution across emerging territories and introduce our great games to a range of top-tier partners.”

The post QTech Games steps up the tempo with GameBeat appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

Blueprint Gaming

Trail enhancements and dual bonuses lead Blueprint’s Goonies™ Quest for Treasure 2

Published

43 minutes ago

November 27, 2025

George Miller

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Reading Time: 2 minutes

The iconic gang of treasure-hunting misfits are back for their biggest adventure yet in Blueprint Gaming’s The Goonies Quest for Treasure 2, with a revamped trail offering enriched modifiers and a choice of two bonus games among several enhancements to the player-favourite series.

The studio’s headline November release is the latest addition to its Goonies portfolio, which stands as one of the company’s strongest game franchises globally. In the UK, seven Goonies releases sit within Blueprint’s top 100 ranked games, with at least one Goonies title sitting inside its top 10 across 70% of its leading international markets, including Canada and Italy.

The previous Goonies release, The Goonies Megaways Quest for Treasure Jackpot King, remains Blueprint’s top-performing title since its launch back in May 2025, underlining the demand for the series amongst operators’ player bases worldwide.

Unlike its predecessor, the One-Eyed Willy treasure chests are immediately unlocked when gameplay begins, boosting the chance of securing entry to the bonus game.

Landing one or two red, blue or green chest-themed bonus symbols can randomly unlock Treasure Spins, while landing three guarantees entry, with each chest possessing a different modifier.

Base play also benefits from the possibility of unlocking modifiers, with the iconic Sloth able to randomly appear on the reels, granting anything from Hidden Treasure, Bonus Boost, Dynamite Blast, Cave In or Collect Boost.

Collect symbols that land during the main game also move the Inferno along the revamped trail that sits above the reels. A host of hidden features await, including the new X-Collect and the introduction of Power Play, which transforms the reels to only contain cash symbols, collects and bonus scatter symbols.

Also featured during the trail is the One-Eyed Willy Spins. Once unlocked, landing three bonus scatter symbols sees players benefit from a choice of two bonus game options, with One-Eyed Willy Spins working similarly to Treasure Spins, but instead of an increasing multiplier for collects gathered during the round, a progressive amount of cash prizes is added to the reels.

The Goonies Quest for Treasure 2 marks the latest release from Blueprint Gaming’s jam-packed Q4 schedule, underlining the studio’s ability to transform cinema into engaging slot brands.

Jo Purvis, Director of Marketing, PR and Events at Blueprint Gaming, said: “The Goonies franchise continues to be one of our most beloved and recognisable series, and Quest for Treasure 2 elevates everything players enjoy about it.

“With enriched modifiers, an expanded trail and dual bonus options, we’ve packed this release with action-filled moments that capture the magic of the original film while pushing gameplay forward. We’re thrilled to bring players another epic adventure with the gang as we close out a landmark year for Blueprint.”

The post Trail enhancements and dual bonuses lead Blueprint’s Goonies™ Quest for Treasure 2 appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

64 Presents Hold and Win

Unwrap Festive Wins with 64 Presents Hold and Win from Booming Games!

Published

43 minutes ago

November 27, 2025

George Miller

unwrap-festive-wins-with-64-presents-hold-and-win-from-booming-games!

Reading Time: < 1 minute

Celebrate the festive season with 64 Presents Hold and Win from Booming Games, a jolly-packed slot filled with golden gifts, thrilling features and big win potential!

Land five or more value symbols to trigger the Santa’s Gift Hold & Win feature, where the grid expands and payouts snowball with every spin. When a Santa’s Gift symbol appears, it can randomly trigger either the BOOST feature, multiplying gift values by up to 5x, or the Grid Expand, unlocking more space and extra symbols for even bigger wins. Hit MINI, MINOR, MAJOR or the dazzling MEGA 1000x Prize Pot as you unwrap festive surprises!

The base game brings even more cheer with Frosty Respins, which lock winning symbols in place and respin the rest, giving you a chance to improve your combo. Look out for snowball multipliers that enhance your total win with each successful respin. Activate the Jingle Bet to increase your chances of triggering Santa’s Gift and other bonus features. Spin the reels, collect your gifts and let the Xmas magic deliver your next big win!

Play 64 Presents Hold and Win now!

Craig Asling, Director of Games at Booming Games, said: “64 Presents Hold and Win is all about the magic of the holidays, the joy, the surprises, and the rush of unwrapping something extraordinary with every spin. From Frosty Respins to the expanding grids and the ultimate MEGA Prize Pot, we’ve created a festive experience players won’t forget”.

The post Unwrap Festive Wins with 64 Presents Hold and Win from Booming Games! appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.