National Video Game Day: Gaming is Not Just for Fun!
Video games can often be a lot of fun, but sometimes people give them a bad reputation and fail to recognize some of the many benefits that can come from playing video games. So today for National Video Game Day I’m going to highlight some of those potential benefits.
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Socialization. While there is a stigma about gaming being socially isolating, the rise in online multiplayer games has actually increased socializing and group problem solving. But even without online, video games often serve as a reason to get together with your friends in person and play.
Leadership. Leading often requires strong decision making skills, especially in crisis situations, games frequently require a player to rapidly take in information and react and adapt quickly and so practice and strengthen these skills. Many games also reward other leadership traits and so motivate players to take on similar roles in real life as well.
Physical activity. While not all games require full body interaction, even those that only require a handheld controller can motivate us to get up and move. For example playing virtual basketball can translate into wanting to practice playing basketball in real life as well, especially for younger children.
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Vision. Did you know gaming in moderation may actually improve your vision? Some studies have shown players developed greater discernment between varying shades of grey, while others focused on strengthening a player’s weaker eye. Though I believe the key word in this may be moderation.
Pain management. One may think that distraction is the primary source of this benefit, but apparently gaming can also produce a pain-killing response in our brains, particularly when a game is more immersive. So much so that virtual reality systems may become an important pain management tool in hospitals one day, guess that’s another possible win for gaming!
Quality surgeons. Speaking of hospitals, video games are also helping to create better surgeons. Studies have found that laparoscopic specialists who played for more than three hours a week tended to make almost a third less errors in practice than those who did not. Which may be less surprising when we consider the nature of laparoscopy.
There are a number of other possible benefits to gaming, including reducing stress, increasing cognitive functioning, curbing cravings, helping with dyslexia, improving balance for those with multiple sclerosis and more. So maybe gaming isn’t just fun after all.
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Happy National Video Game Day! So if you feel up to it, hit pause, set down the controller and join in by answering the following questions before you get back to your game:
Do you have a favourite video game and/or gaming system? What makes it your favourite?
What are some of the benefits you’ve personally experienced from gaming?
One of the words that came up was moderation. How often do you find you play? Do you feel like that is too much? Just enough? Not as much as you’d like? What do you think would be a healthy balance for you?
Sources: https://www.mentalfloss.com/article/65008/15-surprising-benefits-playing-video-games
https://www.parents.com/kids/development/benefits-of-video-games/
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Crash Bandicoot was and still is a nostalgic game it's my all time favourite game, I grew up with crash bandicoot, kingdom hearts, and a few movie games. Honestly they dont make the games they did back in the day but at least they are there to make good memories p
@Kingburger23
The styles of games have certainly changed a lot over the years, it sounds like you have some nostalgic favourites, thank you for sharing with us!
The bad reputation unfortunately I think comes from the fact that not everyone knows how vast the genres are in video games which is really like any other kind of form of entertainment. There’s so many video games I have that are either relaxing or a lot of the setting is like nature or realist; some of the music is soothing such as classical type music too even or catchy and even the action and adventure games have story lines that are relatable or even life lessons too to some extent. Some of my favorites are Rune Factory Persona series such as 3-5, Atelier Ryza, Xenoblade Legend of Zelda series Final Fantasy including 7 and 10, Pokémon series, and some others. I like to play video games to relax as well but also to get into the lore and feel like I’m achieving something especially in real life where I just go through a mundane routine.
@Mari228 i so agree, people tend to target video games as a whole based on first person shooters which are just one genre of many. it's like saying all movies are unhealthy and a bad influence because some have violence.
most of the games i play fall into the relaxing or adventure category too. and you're so right about the music! i actually swear by listening to video game osts to help me study & get work done.
and ooh zelda & pokemon! also i know someone who loves the rune factory games. maybe i'll try out some of the others you mentioned. i'd add in hollow knight & ori & i know its basic but mario games especially mario galaxy & ace attorney which is ridiculous but fun. they're all adventure (except ace attorney) and pretty calm. there are so many genres and reasons people play, which should be considered before making any bold claims about how harmful video games are. :)
@Mari228
People do tend to get a very narrow view of video games unless they explore them for themselves, much like so many other things in life. Stereotypes have hindered people from understanding there can be a lot of fun and reward found in taking a bit of time to play!
Thank you for joining in!
@EmotionsListener
1. Do you have a favorite video game and/or gaming system? What makes it your favorite?
I'm afraid I'm rather old school. My favorite game is either Centipede or Tempest. And my favorite gaming system is the Atari 2600. I still have the game cartridges and gaming system and they still work. I guess I like it because it was basically the first gaming system I ever owned.
2. What are some of the benefits you have personally experienced from gaming?
I developed greater manual dexterity, better hand-eye coordination, and my concentration increased with use of my gaming system.
3. One of the words that came up was moderation. How often do you find you play? Do you feel like it is too much? Just enough? Not as much as you'd like? What do you think would be a healthy balance for you?
I play maybe once or twice a week. I don't think it's too much. I agree it's just enough for me. I have no desire to play anymore than I play now. I feel I have a healthy balance with just once or twice a week for maybe an hour. I find I enjoy playing my games when I'm not constantly exposed to the play. I appreciate it more and enjoy it more when it's just a small of my time that is devoted to gaming.
@xandia
Atari, now that is definitely a name that brings out some nostalgia. Centipede can be very satisfying. I know I find myself really missing some of the old computer games I had as a kid in the 90's... I keep wanting to play "Monkey Island" again, or "Loom"...
I'm glad you've found increased hand eye coordination, oddly I also noticed it seemed to help improve my typing to an extent as well, as though the dexterity improvement also translated to that other task. Improved concentration is another great benefit! Thanks for sharing!
Otherwise it sounds like you've found a healthy balance of enjoyment with some benefits, without playing too much, or so much that some of the fun and excitement ends up dulled. Now... where is that old Monkey Island CD...? You going to play some centipede?
Thank you for joining in!
I agree with what has already been said. On my turn, I would like to say that unfortunately, I've had another round of anxiety. Whether it is caused by bad news or whether it is caused by bad weather, I still don't know. I started a new series of sessions with a psychologist who, as a part of therapy, recommended I distract myself from the round of negative thoughts in my head. Well, easier said than done! But... my mother says computer games could help. So I read https://daddyskins.com/blog/counterpedia/cs2-spin/ to learn more about CS2. Maybe it will really help; who knows? My brother plays it a lot.