We have all heard about the negative stigma surrounding gamers and their quiet lives. They are usually pictured as individuals sitting with their gaming consoles in a secluded corner of the house, isolated from the rest of the world, playing games. Or a gang of people found in scantily lit gaming zones chanting team slogans upon victory. The world of gamers is often contrasting with the rest of the world, and that has led to a lot of negative scrutiny.
Non-gamers claim that their counterparts are anti-social, lethargic, and weak in terms of academics. It’s like a stereotype of its own. But are all these negative allegations actually true? Has it been scientifically proven that individuals who are involved in digital gaming are psychologically weaker than the rest? One study says otherwise. And not just that, scientists have performed researches which find regular gamers to be sharper than others. Here are a few reasons behind it:
1. Games that challenge your mind
Certain games like mind games are the ones which push your brain to make instantaneous decisions, devise plans which subsequently decide your victory or failure. It drives that section of your brain which is involved in memory storage as the players have to remember the past moves made by themselves and their opponents. Precise and agile memory and an alert brain is the outcome of such games. Mind games have quite a history as they were (and are still) first played non-digitally using papers and pencil colors. An example of a mind game that is played both digitally and non-digitally is chess.
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2. A positive outlook
Imagine trying a mission on Grand Theft Auto but failing again and again! Days pass by and you’re still stuck on the same level. How frustrating does that feel? Remember that frustration is often followed by positivity. The silver lining in this part is that you keep trying. And these attempts build more positivity in you until you finally reach your target.
3. Improved memory and multitasking
A sharp memory, as discussed earlier, is a common characteristic of a gamer. Willingly or unwillingly, the individual has to remember several moments of the game in order to stay alive in the competition. Apart from that, a regular gamer is efficient when it comes to handling multiple tasks at a time. And later on, the same multitasking ability can be applied in real life. And if you’re looking for some great deals in the gaming field, then Hot UK Savings has some exciting vouchers waiting for you.
4. Better drivers?
Well, that’s a debatable topic for some. But what’s undeniable is the fact that individuals who are addicted to racing games have a natural affinity for driving cars. It’s an admissible fact that most games encourage their players to ride vehicles at breakneck speeds and drive around in locations where either the car or the obstacle in front of it takes a beating. But a mature individual will only take the positives, such as perfection in steering, from such games. After all, who’d want to slam his/her car into a lamp post or end up floating in a sea?
5. Building Strategy
Remember monopoly? Well, who can forget this epic board game? It is undoubted, one of the most famous games based on skill, strategy, and planning. Each move is well calculated and creates a deciding impact on the final outcome. This is the uniqueness of strategic games. Not just board games, even games played on electronic media which involves the building of empires, maintenance of structures, and accumulation of resources help the individuals in building similar strategies in real life. Each game is played over a period of time involving regular breaks. This break time keeps the player gripped in strategic thoughts. Such thoughts are very useful as they help the individual in planning and strategizing their non-digital activities. And researchers from the Queen Mary University in London have proved the same.
6. Improved visual skills
Almost all the games expect their players to have visual skills that are on-point. According to the same survey which was mentioned in our intro, researchers found that gamers were better than non-gamers at finding out textured anomalies in a visual test. And not just that, gamers tend to improve their adaptive abilities even without prior request!
7. Amazing educational potential
We believe that academic excellence or backwardness is a matter of individual effort. It totally depends on the interest that the individual has towards studies. On a different and a more positive note, the gaming world has developed and released several games which actually inculcate various academic skills in their players. If you’re new to a language and are facing difficulty in pronouncing some of its words, then there are games that are available online which spell and pronounce words of your choice. Also, there are games out there which help you in improving your typing and writing skills! Who needs a private tutor?!
8. A global village
Among other things, modern day gaming has also created a sense of unity around the world. People from different ethnicities and backgrounds meet over a unified server and team up for technological battles. Interaction with different communities makes you knowledgeable and smarter. It stimulates a feeling of curiosity and tolerance towards different cultures.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1) What games actually make you smarter?
Games that challenge your cognitive abilities, such as puzzle games, strategy games like chess, and brain-training apps, can help improve problem-solving skills, memory, and strategic thinking.
2) Does playing games increase your IQ?
While playing games can enhance certain cognitive skills, there is no conclusive evidence that it directly increases IQ. However, games that require critical thinking and problem-solving can contribute to cognitive development.
3) Do brain games actually make you smarter?
Brain games can improve specific cognitive functions like memory, attention, and problem-solving. However, their impact on overall intelligence is still debated. Consistent engagement with challenging brain games can lead to mental agility and sharper thinking skills.
Conclusion
The world of gaming is far more complex and beneficial than the negative stereotypes suggest. While it’s true that excessive gaming can have its drawbacks, the positive impacts are often overlooked. From enhancing cognitive abilities and improving memory to fostering a global community and even educational growth, gaming has proven to be a powerful tool for mental and social development.
Rather than dismissing gamers as anti-social or lazy, it’s important to recognize the skills they cultivate and the mental sharpness they gain through their gaming experiences. Like any other activity, moderation is key, but when balanced properly, gaming can be an enriching and educational part of life. So, the next time you pick up a controller or log into your favorite game, remember—you might just be making yourself smarter.
Too much of anything can be harmful, and this applies to gaming as well. Since gaming often requires players to stay in one place for extended periods, it can have negative effects on physical health and social interactions. However, does this aspect of life generate more benefits than drawbacks? We leave that for you to decide.
