Gaming has been linked to improved brain activity and other positive factors for a long time already. It’s no secret that playing video games can boost your brain, both temporarily and in the long run. Of course, there’s always the possibility of overdoing it too, which is why one must be careful with their gaming habits. But for the most part, there is a lot to gain from regular gaming sessions. Even if you’re a casual gamer who doesn’t pick up the controller too often, you are probably still reaping some benefits.
Fast Action Games
Action games are great at training hand-eye coordination and fast, critical thinking. They require fast reaction times and good orientation abilities. This makes them popular with younger people, but they are also just as prominent in the older crowds. The market for action games is quite diverse too, so there is no shortage of titles to pick up and enjoy. Many of the things you do in those games can directly impact the way you go about normal everyday tasks, including ones that normally don’t require too much coordination to begin with. Studies have shown that playing action games regularly can keep your brain sharp and your response times lower than those of the average person.
Strategic Thinking
Then we have strategy games. They are a whole beast of their own, and they also contribute positively to your brain’s functions, although in different areas. Strategy games often require effective multitasking and the ability to plan a few moves ahead. They require players to keep track of multiple resources, battlefronts, and other gameplay elements, which can improve the brain’s ability to handle complex tasks on multiple fronts through regular playing. Strategy games are some of the most competitive games out there, and there are prominent e-sports tournaments for this genre. They also teach players to coordinate with others efficiently, and as a whole provide a great number of benefits to those who play them regularly.
Thinking Outside the Box
Some games also require a more unique approach to problem-solving. This is a skill of its own that can take time to develop, and it can matter a lot in certain genres, like puzzle games and adventure titles. But the great thing about this skill is that it’s easily transferable to a number of other environments, making it a very valuable asset to have. It’s important to know how to approach problems from a different perspective, and modern games can give you lots of opportunities to do just that. In fact, some players specialize on playing in this particular manner. They avoid playing games the recommended, intended way, and instead look for alternative ways to accomplish tasks, carving out their own path. This is not something that everyone enjoys, but it’s a great way to build your ability to think creatively, if you feel like you’re lacking in that area.
Focusing on Multiple Things Simultaneously
We already touched on this above, but it’s important to reiterate that point. Video games are great at teaching multitasking skills, especially modern titles with a lot going on at any time. This applies to several genres in particular, like strategy and action games. It’s a skill that can be trained in different ways. For example, some games run at a more relaxed pace, giving you a chance to take everything in without feeling rushed. Others will test your ability to recognize changes in specific patterns as quickly as possible, which can be a valuable skill of its own.
Social and Communication Skills
And let’s not forget about the communication aspect. Games are a fantastic way to meet new people if you play online. And playing effectively with others is a unique skill that requires practice and patience. Taking the time to learn how to deal with communication issues and how to work with other people effectively can have a huge impact on your life in general. It can help you become more communicative and work more easily with other people, which is something that can benefit you in many areas of your life. It’s not just about your career – this is something that can change your life for the better in general.
All of this will only keep getting better in the coming years. With new technologies like VR on the horizon, it’s interesting to think about what else we could learn from games, and how we could approach searching for a solution to certain problems. It’s important to pay attention to this field even if you don’t consider yourself an avid gamer. Because it’s very likely that this form of entertainment will prove to be about more than just kicking back and relaxing, and we’re likely on the verge of seeing those discoveries enter the mainstream, which would definitely shake things up a bit.