Flow and Video Games

I'm reading about Flow. It is a theory that describes the state of heightened focus in activity. The feeling of flow is highly pleasurable. One is so totally immersed in an activity they don't notice the passing of time. It is an experience recorded by rock climbers, surgeons and even gamers. I'm reading Flow to understand what makes things enjoyable. Specifically how can we use the conditions of flow to create really enjoyable games.

He cites 8 Dimensions paraphrased below
The 8 dimensions

1. Clear goals


2. Immediate Feedback


3. Balance between challenge and personal skill


4. High degree of focus


5. Feeling of control


6. Loss of self-consciousness


7. Timelessness


8. Intrinsic motivation

Games create flow experiences because the goals are usually direct and feedback is plentiful. These points provide a good way to think about how elements in a game promote or disrupt flow. My question: Does learning happen in flow or is learning a pre-requisite to flow?

Wikipedia article on Flow
EdutechWk entryi

Source: Csikszentmihalyi, M. (1990). Flow : The Psychology of Optimal Experience, Harper and Row, New York