Vaisberg is a young man who struggled with an addiction to the online game World of Warcraft and eventually sought treatment, illustrating how anyone can be affected by behavioral addiction.

Peele is a psychologist from the 1970s who demonstrated that addiction is a destructive form of attachment, a concept used by Alter in the book.

Foddy is a game designer and professor cited by Alter as an expert on the ethics of game design, known for creating games driven by a passion for the craft.

Miyamoto is a renowned video game creator, known for Super Mario Bros. and Pokémon, who designs games out of love for the craft rather than to entice players.

Pajitnov is the Russian creator of Tetris, which features a difficulty curve central to the concept of escalation discussed in the book.

Larson is known for winning a game show prize and losing it on a scheme, used as an example of the dangers of endless goal-setting.

Rae is a founder of the reSTART internet treatment facility, which is referenced frequently throughout the book.