Do you love playing video games? While they can get a bad reputation in the media, it’s important to recognize that video games provide a lot of key benefits that you may not be aware of. Playing video games can improve your cognitive abilities, ensure that you are opening up fresh career opportunities for yourself and have a wonderful impact on your general wellbeing. Here are some examples of the unique benefits you will receive when playing video games that you should be aware of.
Improves Memory
First, research shows that playing games can have a positive impact on memory. If you play puzzle solving games, it can help you strengthen your memory and this is true regardless of your age. Indeed, certain games seem specifically designed for benefits like this. For instance, when you play a mystery game, you’ll often find the memory tasks are part of solving the overall puzzle. This has been the case for everything from Tomb Raider to Uncharted and all the games in between. There have even been games developed specifically designed to help those experiencing the common signs of dementia.
Helps Problem Solving
Similarly, playing video games also teaches people to solve problems. There are a few examples of this. You could be playing a game like God Of War and wondering how to access the next part of the level. A puzzle like this can either be simple or more complex depending on the type of game you are playing and the age it is designed for.
Another example would be when playing a first person shooter. Even a game like this has elements of problem solving. For instance, you might need to investigate a rival’s base to find the best entrance point for a raid. Most modern games provide various access points that provide unique advantages and disadvantages for the team or the individual player.
Socialization
As well as providing cognitive benefits, playing video games also help improve levels of socialization. Socialization is key for general wellbeing. If you do not socialize on a regular basis, then you are far more likely to develop mental health issues including possibilities like depression and anxiety. This becomes far more of an issue later on in life. Video games can help people socialize even if they struggle to leave their homes on a regular basis.
Benefits Mood
Could playing a game benefit your mood? Potentially and we have all felt uplifted after a couple hours with our favorite title or the latest game released on the market. Why is this? Well, there could be a scientific reason for this. When we play video games, it releases endorphins, similar to the chemicals that are released when playing sports or engaging in any other fun activity. Indeed, video games may even be recommended as a form of therapy for someone who is struggling with an issue like depression or some forms of addiction. You can find various research articles referencing options like this online.
Increases Concentration
Other studies have revealed that playing video games may improve levels of concentration. That’s more important than ever these days because studies show concentration levels are significantly lower compared with past generations. The most prominent example of this can be seen in how we consume media. In the past, people watched videos that lasted several hours. Then YouTube came along and the average video length online dropped to significantly less than ten minutes. Now Tik Tok is the most popular social network for younger audiences and videos are no more than one minute long. In contrast, video games will often have stories that stretch more than eight hours. You will also need to pay attention to beat bosses or tackle a particularly tricky puzzle.
Improve Fine Motor Skills
As well as improving cognitive abilities, playing video games will also help you dramatically improve your fine motor skills. That’s true whether you are using a gaming control or if you decide to play using a more traditional keypad or joystick. If you have issues with fine motor skills, then you might think that you are going to struggle to play your favorite titles. However game developers are far more aware of what it takes to make a game accessible to a wider audience. You can even get joypads that are specifically designed to be user-friendly for people with disabilities such as arthritis or chronic health conditions like RSI.
Teaches Story Elements
Playing video games can also help you learn fundamental story elements and how to tell successful stories. We’re not just talking about games where the story is the main selling point. Titles such as The Last Of Us have told ground-breaking, awarding winning stories that have captivated the attention of an entire generation of gamers. Many video games are nothing short of a new art form and this extends far beyond the impressive visuals.
This is perhaps why Hollywood is now turning their attention to video games when choosing what to adapt next. With the comic book well starting to run dry and audiences growing bored of seeing different variations of Iron Man flying across the screen, it seems that video game movies are poised for a massive comeback. Games today are far easier to adapt into full fledged cinematic titles because the stories at the heart of them rival the latest blockbusters that are gracing screens across the country.
Entertainment
One of the main benefits of playing video games is that it will provide entertainment. This is useful if you are easily bored or there are lots of times during the day when you find you have nothing to do. These days, you can easily play games on the go. For instance, you could download games like Solitaire onto your favorite devices or play them directly on a website. Alternatively, you can also use cloud software to connect to your favorite device even when you are far from home. It’s fair to say that modern video games are one of the main reasons why the average daily screen-time is so high.
Career Opportunities
You might also want to think about exploring careers related to playing video games. For instance, you could become a videogame tester. If you have a meticulous attention to detail and you are already adept at recognising bugs in games, then this could be the ideal choice for you. Alternatively, you could also work on writing stories for video games. If you are a great writer or you have some experience putting stories together, then this is another possibility.
Earning Possibilities
Playing games isn’t just about having fun. While this may sound paradoxical, there are lots of ways that you can earn money from video games. For instance, you could become a social media influencer, playing games online or across networks like Twitch. Once you build up an audience, it is possible to start making money from a passion like this. Alternatively, you could also learn to develop your own skills and create a game from scratch. You will need to learn coding. The good news is that most people can learn basic coding skills in just a few months. There is also open software you can explore which is far more user-friendly.
Morals
Another big benefit of video games is that similar to films, they do teach young children morals. There’s often a moral to different stories in games and video games marketed for children are often based around the idea of helping those in need.
The advantage of games over films when teaching children morals and life lessons is that they are more immersive. They allow children to explore a first-hand account of a new perspective.
Team Work Skills
Finally, playing video games is also beneficial because it teaches you crucial teamwork skills. In the past, you could play split-screen games on consoles or on the computer. Today, split-screen games aren’t quite as common as they used to be. However, there are stand out possibilities including ‘It Takes Two’ that are still worth exploring.
Alternatively, you can also think about playing games online with friends, family members, or strangers. The downside is that you will need more than one console. However, there are lots of different types of online games for you to explore and you can use them to connect to anyone, anywhere in the world. All it takes is a relatively fast internet connection.
We hope this helps you understand some of the key benefits of playing video games that you should be aware of. People often think that playing video games is a waste of time. However, the reality is nothing could be further from the truth. Indeed, there are lots of reasons why playing video games can be a wonderful use of your spare time. This is true, regardless of what type of video game you might be playing. If you’re unsure where to start when playing games, then be sure to look at some of the other articles we have completed.
Hi! I’m Bryan, and I’m a passionate & expert writer with more than five years of experience. I have written about various topics such as product descriptions, travel, cryptocurrencies, and online gaming in my writing journey. The latter is one of my favorites topics, and you can find some of my premium casino content at OUSC.