I think what's actually addictive is the screen. People are addicted to tv and social media too. I was once addicted to gaming, it pulls you in in an odd way. Plus there is the competitive aspect and the escapism aspect.
I found video games to be more addicting than even sugar in my experience. Part of this was due to the social aspect. If your friends game it's hard not to. The only thing that broke me out of gaming was girls, for obvious reasons, and spirituality, which I found it far more interesting, rewarding, and challenging
Way to go, glad you got out of it. It's a big waste of time in our short lives. Escapism is a big part, as playing and doing something you can't do in real life, is attractive to escape to and from our often "boring" lives by comparison.