Gaming improves problem-solving skills
A study from 2015 showed that gamers have a higher volume of gray matter and more connectivity between their subregions in the insular cortex of the brain. This means they have better problem-solving skills and logic than non-gamers. Many gamers play games that require strategic thinking and logic, which means they’re using the same parts of their brain that help them solve problems in everyday life.
Games lead to better concentration skills
Research suggests that playing video games can improve your visuospatial skills and concentration, which are both important for everyday life. Spatial ability is important for mathematicians, scientists and engineers, as well as weather forecasters and architects. It can be developed by playing video games.
Regular gamers show increased hand-to-eye coordination
A 2014 study from the University of Toronto found that people who play video games regularly have faster reaction times and better hand-eye coordination than people who don’t play video games. These skills are helpful for learning how to ride a bike or type on a keyboard, for example. In a study, researchers found that gamers performed with more speed and accuracy than non-gamers on a repetitive task.
FPS gamers are better multitaskers
Gaming helps you to complete tasks faster and more efficiently and also allows you to multitask. For example, if you’re playing a first-person shooter game and you have to shoot at the enemy, keep track of your health, ammo, and other stats and move through the game while speaking with friends over a microphone – all at once – it can be hard to do.
Action gamers are faster decision-makers
Researchers found that action gamers, in particular, are better able to make decisions quickly and more accurately than other types of gamers, and non-gamers. In a study of action game players and slow-paced game players, it was found that action game players were 25% faster in making decisions and also gave more accurate responses.
FPS gaming can strengthen eyesight
When you play games, your ability to see detail improves, especially when looking at objects in your peripheral vision. This is especially true for players of first-person shooter games, where being able to spot enemies quickly is essential. People who have stronger peripheral vision are better drivers and perform better in everyday tasks. To protect your eyes from strain, take a break from screens every hour or so.
Weekly gaming can lead to improved accuracy
A 2007 study examined laparoscopic surgeon training and found that young surgeons who play video games have 37% fewer errors, and complete tasks 27% faster. Even with only three hours of video game play per week, gamers performed better in surgery than non-gamers. This suggests that video games may improve hand-eye coordination, speed and accuracy.
Multiplayer games produce stronger team players
Many video games require players to work together. Some of the most popular multiplayer games include Team Fortress 2, Roblox, League of Legends, Dota 2 and Counter-Strike. In a 2018 study conducted by Brigham Young University, teams that played video games together for 45 minutes outperformed other teams in different team-building exercises.
VR games can improve physical health
Exercising in VR games can be good for your health and might even be more fun than exercising in real life. Take games like Beat Saber for example, which will have you slashing incoming objects with two virtual swords. This game is great for exercise because it requires you to swing your arms and legs around as if you were actually holding a sword.
Gaming can improve your memory
Video games challenge your brain on multiple levels and can help you stay mentally fit. Brain-training, role-playing, or action-adventure games are fun ways to keep your mind sharp. Playing a game that requires switching between the right and left sides of your brain can help you learn, retain information longer and be more flexible in how you think.
Gaming provides a distraction from depression and anxiety
When you’re feeling down, it’s easy to retreat into a world of video games. But don’t worry – video games can actually help with depression and anxiety. They distract you from negative self-talk and help you set goals for yourself. Nowadays, there are even games and apps designed to help mental health. Researchers are still gathering data on the effectiveness of these programs, but early studies suggest they’re effective.
Online gaming can lead to improved social skills
Despite what we’ve been told, video games don’t always make us antisocial. In fact, research shows that many gamers are actually sociable when they take their hobby out of the house. As online gaming becomes more integrated with social media, it’s getting easier to make connections with other gamers, even if you tend to be shy or prefer playing solo.
Gaming can help build stronger relationships
Video games are a great way to make friends, and they can also help you strengthen your existing relationships. Spending time with family or a special someone playing your favorite game is a great way to bond, create memories, and maybe even discover a shared interest.
Video gaming can lead to improved resilience in children
Video games can be frustrating when you fail, but they can also teach kids that failure is part of life, and with practice, they can keep trying until they succeed. People think playing video games is a waste of time, but they don’t realize that it has lasting benefits.
Video games provide support for children with chronic illnesses
A study at the University of Utah found that children with illnesses like autism, depression, and Parkinson’s disease improved their “resilience, empowerment and fighting spirit” after playing certain video games. Researchers believe that video games can stimulate the brain’s reward system, helping children cope with the challenges of their illnesses.
Interactive games help pre-schoolers develop motor skills
Researchers from Deakin University in Melbourne found that preschoolers who play interactive games, such as Wii and Kinect, have better “object control motor skills” than those who don’t. Although it’s not clear whether children with better-than-average motor skills tend to gravitate toward video games in the first place, these findings suggest that video games could help improve motor skills.
VR games can provide relief from chronic pain
Video games can be more than just a source of entertainment. Researchers at the University of Washington have created a game that helps patients suffering from intense pain by distracting them from their discomfort. A virtual reality game called “Snow World” – where players throw snowballs at targets – has been found to reduce the need for pain medication in recovering soldiers.
Regular gaming can lead to increased happiness in seniors
Researchers from North Carolina State University studied the relationship between video games and happiness among the senior population. They found that even occasional video game players reported higher levels of happiness and were less likely to be depressed. The exact cause and effect isn’t clear, but it may have something to do with a sense of isolation felt by seniors who don’t regularly use technology.
Action gaming can support people with learning difficulties
Researchers have found that individuals with dyslexia may improve their reading comprehension by playing action-heavy games. The reason is that these games keep the players’ attention focused on rapidly changing environments, meaning they avoid distractions and can concentrate better.
Gaming can encourage leadership
When we play games, our brains release dopamine, a neurotransmitter that rewards us for accomplishing goals and getting to the next level. A study conducted found that this same reward system is activated in real life when people take on leadership roles and work with others. So if you have a tendency to lead at work, it might be because of the games you play!
Interactive games can improve your balance
Because multiple sclerosis affects the balance center of the brain, people with the disease often have trouble maintaining their balance while standing or walking. One study found that patients with multiple sclerosis who played interactive games while standing on a balance board displayed improvement in their balance afterward.
Playing Tetris can help recovering addicts
If you’re trying to quit smoking, or have an unhealthy relationship with food, or drink alcohol too often, playing Tetris can help. Researchers at the University of Plymouth found that participants who played the game for three minutes felt less desire for their vice of choice than those who sat and watched it try to load.
VR gaming supports people recovering from PTSD and phobias
Researchers at the University of Washington have found that virtual reality can be used to help people overcome their fear of spiders. One woman who was terrified of spiders actually let a live tarantula crawl on her arm after exposure to virtual reality. Patients who had survived a bus bombing were able to overcome their fears, by facing a simulated recreation of the event through virtual reality.
Playing games can help young people understand morality
Games often put us in situations where we must weigh our choices and consider the consequences. By doing this, games can teach you how to make better and more moral decisions in real life by weighing and considering the pros and cons.
Games can boost knowledge of real-world events
Video games can be a source of knowledge that is just as valid as information you learn from the internet. Some video games are based on actual historical events, which makes them similar to historical fiction novels. For example, Call of Duty is set during World War II.
Gaming in couples can help support a healthy relationship
Men tend to care more about video games than women do, but a study by University of Denver psychologists found that playing together is a good way for couples to bond and relax. Researchers found that couples who engage in exciting activities together – like gaming – are more likely to have happy relationships.
Group gaming leads to increased productivity
It might seem crazy to suggest that playing video games could make your team more productive, but a study of Brigham Young University students found that group gaming can increase productivity by 20%. And you know that time in the middle of the day when you feel like curling up in bed? A casual gaming break can help wake up your mind and get you back on track.
Games can help with stress relief
In addition to being entertaining, some casual games can provide mental stress relief for patients with severe diseases. Doctors have found that games can help people manage their health. This is because games are engaging, enjoyable and encourage the release of dopamine into our brains, which helps us to relax.
Gaming leads to an increase in creativity
Video games are certainly creative and do lead to health benefits. Some of the best games require players to think on their feet, adapt to new situations, and learn how to use different kinds of weapons. Sports games sometimes require you to unlock new levels or tricks in unusual ways. And creation games like Minecraft and The Sims allow you to create families, houses, and entire worlds.
Video games can boost reading skills in children
Research has shown that playing video games may help kids become better readers. This is true even when they are playing action games and need to figure out instructions on screen. Video games offer fun and excitement that can draw kids in, making them more willing to read online forums or websites to learn more about their favorite video games.
Regular gamers develop increased motivation
Playing video games can provide players with the drive and skills to succeed in their careers. Most games involve rewards, achievements and unlocks that give you a sense of achievement. Researchers have found that motivation gained from playing video games is often transferred to a person’s real-life career.
Historical games encourage further learning
Video games such as Age of Mythology, Civilization, and Age of Empires – which take their inspiration from Greek, Egyptian and Norse history and mythology – can inspire kids to read about history, geography, ancient cultures and international relations. These games often let players design their own maps, giving them the opportunity to learn about creativity and technology.
Gaming can promote healthy competition
Competition is a normal and healthy part of growing up. Playing video games can help kids channel their competitive instincts in a positive way. They can also give children who don’t enjoy traditional sports an opportunity to excel at something. Video games can be a fun way for kids to compete against their peers, develop social skills and learn how to win or lose with grace.
Interactive gaming can support people recovering from a stroke
People who have had a stroke can recover their ability to perform some tasks by practicing them repeatedly. For example, they might relearn to grasp objects using their affected hand. A study at Tel Aviv University showed that computer games may help people learn how to do this by forcing them to plan their movements deliberately and step-by-step in order to accomplish a particular goal.
Board games can help prevent dementia
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that more than 5.8 million people in the United States have Alzheimer’s disease, which is often associated with aging but can develop at any age. A study from 2013 found that people who played board games had a 15% lower risk of developing dementia over 20 years, compared to those who didn’t play.
Gaming helps children develop emotional regulation
Gaming can be a powerful tool for kids. Games let them learn about the world in a safe way, playing with it and experimenting with different strategies. By creating realistic simulations that elicit strong emotional responses, commercial games give players a chance to practice controlling their emotions in a safe environment.
Gaming can lead to increased self-confidence
Video games can help kids build self-confidence and self-esteem as they master the challenges of the game. The levels of difficulty are adjustable, so beginners can start with easier tasks and become more confident as they practice. Since failing doesn’t cost anything in the game, kids take more risks and explore more options. They can transfer this attitude to real-life situations.
Low-intensity gaming helps with trauma recovery
Trauma patients who played the computer game Tetris in the emergency room of a hospital in Oxford, UK, were less likely to have flashbacks associated with their traumatic event than those who didn’t play the game. Science has concluded that brief, low-intensity gaming can improve the mental health of those who have experienced psychological trauma.
All types of gaming can lead to increased intelligence
A 2013 study published in PLoS ONE suggests that playing video games can make you smarter. Researchers found that all video games, both action and non-action games, improved cognitive function in the participants – measured by tests such as short-term memory tasks.
Regular gaming literally makes your brain bigger
Researchers from the Max Planck Institute in Germany found that playing Super Mario 64 caused an increase in the size of brain regions responsible for spatial orientation, memory formation, strategic planning, and fine motor skills. Researchers found that playing a video game for 30 minutes a day for two months increased grey matter in the hippocampus, prefrontal cortex, and cerebellum compared to participants who didn’t play any games.
