Cookie Clicker really shows how game mechanics by themselves (and boredom or need to take your mind off something) can motivate people to play.
But also, it can be even more addictive if the game would go back to zero after a period of inactivity (like a tamagachi pet "dying" without attention, or a Flappy Bird). Maybe not going back to zero but to some lower "saved" level like Mario.
This is the kind of stuff that makes people see how high a score they can get, for no reason other than the score!
Cookie Clicker has a heavenly chips mechanic, where you essentially reset all progress (except achievements maybe?) in exchange for heavenly chips that give a minor % boost.
But also, it can be even more addictive if the game would go back to zero after a period of inactivity (like a tamagachi pet "dying" without attention, or a Flappy Bird). Maybe not going back to zero but to some lower "saved" level like Mario.
This is the kind of stuff that makes people see how high a score they can get, for no reason other than the score!