Social and Mental Benefits of Playing Video Games

The negative effects of video games are often discussed. However, today we want to discuss 5 ways video games can be beneficial mentally, socially, and psychologically.

Gaming isn’t the time wasting, brain rotting, nerd-in-the-basement activity you grew up thinking it was. It has evolved into an art form, a tool, a competitive league, and a multi-billion dollar industry generating more revenue than Hollywood and the American music system combined. 

More people are gaming than ever. Currently, there’s more than 2.7 billion self labeled gamers in the world, and the global games market generated revenues of more than $159.3 billion in 2020.

 During the pandemic video games have become more important than ever. Ironically, in 2019 the World Health Organization declared Video Game Addiction a disease, but at the start of the pandemic, the WHO quickly changed tone and encouraged everyone to stay indoors and play game.

In fact, research conducted by staticians at GlobalX saw a 65% increase in consumer gaming time from March 2020 vs March 2019.

Here are a few reasons why video games are more beneficial  than ever, and why you should be gaming:

1. GAMES ALLOW US TO CONNECT SOCIALLY

When we say ‘social distance’ what we really mean is that we need to physically distance from one another.  One of the social benefits of video games is that it allows gamers to interact with their friends and loved ones, through competitive multiplayer games like Fall Guys, Fortnite, or the NBA 2K series. 

Alternatively, games focused on providing social spaces for players to simply chat with one another and participate in communal activities that have become important spaces for people to simply ‘hang out,’ be it in Animal Crossing, World of Warcraft, or Minecraft.

These digital spaces have come to replace the bar, restaurant, and other social spaces that COVID has affected over the past year. At a time when two-thirds of adults say they are experiencing social isolation because of the pandemic, games are a great way to bring people together and stop the “loneliness epidemic” by connecting people from all backgrounds and all corners of the world.

2. GAMES TEACH US AND PSYCHOLOGICALLY BENEFIT US

As education undergoes a seismic shift, teachers are scrambling to find creative ways to effectively engage their students remotely from the safety of home.

Gamified education techniques and educational games have proven to be an effective tool for in-classroom instruction, and can be easily modified to fit remote learning programs students and teachers are adjusting to.

Games that are traditionally geared towards entertainment like Minecraft, Assassin’s Creed, and Kerbal Space Program have specific modes and features to be used as educational tools. Point being, games are a great way for people of all ages to engage in continuous learning while unlocking the power of play, which is a necessary ingredient in the learning process.

Playing games will result in Cognitive development. For instance, studies of action games show enhanced mental rotation abilities, faster and more accurate attention allocation, and higher spatial resolution in visual processing.

3. GAMES CAN IMPROVE OUR MENTAL HEALTH

With so many venues, events, and travel plans cancelled or shut down, people are struggling with cabin fever and mental exhaustion like never before.

One of the mental health benefits of video games is that they allow us to go to the places we’d want to go to (even before there was a travel ban), from exotic Italian locations in Assassin’s Creed, to the far reaches of space in Mass Effect, or mythical landscapes in Monster Hunter.

Even simple everyday places like concert venues, local bars, and sporting stadiums are being recreated into video games. From Travis Scott throwing a concert in Fortnite, to Discord Happy Hours on bars made in Minecraft, we’re still able to ‘get out of the house’ while in the safety and comfort of our own homes.

4. GAMES CHALLENGE US

Games are designed to challenge and subsequently reward us for our efforts and hard work. 

This structure makes games one of the most effective tools for producing the chemicals serotonin and dopamine, which promote positive emotions in the brain. 

While the ‘reward’ may be the most eye-catching part of this formula, it’s actually the challenge that creates this reward process and makes the payoff so great.

Because a reward without struggle isn’t really a reward.

5. GAMES ARE FUN AND CAN HELP US COPE WITH MENTAL ILLNESSES

Millions of people have loved playing games for years, but in 2020 games have become more fun than ever. With cutting edge technologies, constantly improving social channels, and accessibility for independent developers, more and more brand new games are being developed every day.

Clinical psychologist Kelli Dunlap, who has a master’s degree in game design, says video games can help people cope with mental illness since they can help them relax, connect with others and feel competent.

And now more than ever, we need all the fun and entertainment we can get.

Am I saying you need to drop a couple grand and buy yourself a cutting edge PC Desktop to own n00bs in Valorant? 

No.

Even if it is something as simple as playing Words with Friends or Among Us, gaming has taken its place as an integral part of our society, especially in a post-COVID world. Want to learn more about how games can help level up your workforce? Request a demo today.