Since the very early days of gaming (I’m talking Space Invaders and Pong) debate has been raging. What debate, you ask? The debate on whether videogames are good or bad for us. Personal and cultural biases, unfortunately, led many people to the conclusion that videogames cause many physical and mental problems. People just assumed this to be true, with very little scientific backing behind it.

8 Reasons Why Video Games are Good

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Videogames are often called violent, destructive, inane, time-wasters, and other not so nice words. But consider this. Isn’t it human nature to blame something else for our own failings? If you look at how far both videogames and science have come, you’ll be surprised to know that videogames aren’t bad after all. In the age of accessible Spectrum internet plans, consoles, and computers, almost everyone plays. Usually without any harmful effects.

People often claim videogames make your performance at school suffer, but it seems that is not true. A study at both Queen Mary University, London and University College London found some startling conclusions. 72 volunteers played Starcraft (fast passed strategy) and The Sims (slow life-simulation) for 40 hours over a 6-8 week period. The results seemed to point towards enhanced cognitive flexibility in the Starcraft players. Even casino games can help improve memory. Card games like blackjack and poker have mental boosting benefits. Learn more about casino games with these excellent guides from OCBB.

In fact, as these 8 reasons can scientifically prove, videogames may even be the key to a happier you:

Slows Down Aging
Helps Decision Making
Improves Eyesight
Helps Make You Social
Helps You Learn
Improves Hand-Eye Coordination
Improves Attention and Focus
Can Help with Depression

Let’s take a brief look at each reason and see how they make gaming good for gamers.

Slows Down Aging

It is a known fact that healthy exercise and diet can help counter the effects of aging. But giving your brain cells a vigorous workout is also important. A study at the University of Iowa sampled over 600 people above 50 and asked them to play a certain video game for 10 hours a day for 5-8 weeks. According to the study, 10 hours of videogames can reduce mental decline by several years.

Gaming Helps Decision Making

According to a study by researchers at the University of Rochester, videogames can improve our decision-making abilities. The study involved 50 adults with no previous gaming experience. These participants played an action video-game for 50 hours. Another group played a slow-paced strategy game instead.

Due to the quick action and peripheral imagery, action games seemed to help the participants. It taught participants how to take in sensory data and translate it into good decisions

Gaming Improves Eyesight

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This might sound counter-intuitive but it is still true. A study in 2009 at the University of Rochester involved 2 groups of participants. The first group, (with gaming experience) played Unreal Tournament and Call of Duty. The second, more inexperienced group played The Sims 2. The study showed the first-person shooter players showing signs of better eyesight. This is because they improve an ability known as contrast sensitivity function.

Far from making you anti-social, Canadian and, UK-based researchers have found that gaming actually makes you more social. Gamers who take part in social gatherings are usually very friendly and communicative. Gamers form stronger relationships with other gamers as well. Far from the stereotypical basement dweller, isn’t it?

Helps You Learn

Improves Hand-Eye Coordination

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This is one of the oldest arguments in favor of gaming and the science seems to back it up. Researchers at the University of Texas Medical Branch brought together high school and college students as well as medical residents. The group then performed virtual surgeries, with the high school students doing the best. The reason is that they play at least 2 hours of video games a day. While professional residents will perform better in real surgery, the study proves hand-eye coordination improves with gaming.

Improves Attention and Focus

A study involved 2 groups of experienced and inexperienced gamers to test if gaming improved perception and cognition. The groups were set several perceptual tasks in which the gamers outperformed the other group. The result? Videogames help improve your attention and focus.

Can Help with Depression

A study involved 168 teens who had previously shown signs of depression. Half of them played SPARX (a video game designed to offer therapy) while the other half received traditional counseling. The results showed SPARX players recovering from depression more quickly.

Videogames are a billion dollar industry with an audience across borders and demographics. It is fairly obvious to many of us that videogames are here to stay. Now we know they are actually good for a happier and healthier you. So it’s time to get Spectrum Internet Support on the line and ask for an upgrade on your internet connection. Game away! And be sure to comment with any other benefits of gaming that we may have missed.

Author

Daniel Jack

For Daniel, journalism is a way of life. He lives and breathes art and anything even remotely related to it. Politics, Cinema, books, music, fashion are a part of his lifestyle.