Discover the Top 11 Fun Facts: How Video Games Can Actually Benefit Your Life!
1. Minecraft Unleashes Creativity
Whoever said laughter is the best medicine never played Minecraft: Research shows that video games with open-ended gameplay and built-in level editors, like this blocky empire and its cousin Little Big Planet, can boost creativity, thrusting players into a flow-state and causing artistic genius to flow like an exploding Creeper!
Source => filamentgames.com
2. Gaming Boosts Impulse Control & Memory
Rejoice, gamers, for your days of defending your console crusades have arrived! No longer shall you cower behind side quests, as you proudly proclaim to the world: Video games can actually improve impulse control and working memory, according to a University of Vermont study of nearly 2,000 children. But beware, young keyboard warriors, for unlimited screen time is not the golden ticket to cognitive dominance!
Source => nih.gov
Did you know the disastrous release of the E.T. video game in 1982 led to Atari's downfall and a major shift in the gaming industry? 🕹️ Discover the Spielbergian twist and how it changed the game!
=> Fun Facts about Video-Games
3. Esports: A Multimillion-Dollar Phenomenon
Move over, Super Bowl: there's a new contender for the throne of flashy cash and kickin' digs, and it's got more zeroes than a glitched-out Tetris scoreboard! That's right, esports tournaments have evolved into a mammoth player in the sports and entertainment world, boasting mind-bending million-dollar prize pools, eye-popping viewer numbers, and enough investment to make even Wall Street do a double-take.
Source => escharts.com
4. Level Up Your Hand-Eye Coordination
Who needs aerobics when you have a controller? Finger-fitness fanatics, rejoice: According to a study from the University of Toronto, avid action video game players (at least 2-hour sessions, 3 times a week) can have better hand-eye coordination and sensorimotor skills, as well as an increase in decision-making and visual-motor processing due to a boost in cortical thickness in their left frontal eye field and left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex. Game on!
Source => vision-works.co.za
5. Prosocial Games Enhance Empathy
Who knew gaming could be a virtual group hug? Next time someone accuses you of being antisocial, just let 'em know: playing prosocial video games actually boosts empathy and improves social behaviors in young people, as per scientific research.
Source => digitalwellnesslab.org
6. Super Mario's Senior Memory Boost
Who ever said "No more video games: go out and play" clearly didn't know the sweet perks of this pixel-filled adventure: A study found that seniors who played Super Mario for 30-45 minutes a day for four weeks experienced improved recognition memory, with the effects lasting even after gameplay concluded. The 3D world of our favorite Italian plumber might just be the perfect memory-boosting playground for those who can't head outside.
Source => nia.nih.gov
7. Gaming to the Rescue for Vision Problems
Move over, eye patches and peg legs—video games are here to save the day for kids with vision problems: Customized action video games can improve visual acuity and stereoacuity in children with amblyopia, achieving similar results to the gold-standard patching treatment but in a much shorter time frame.
Source => ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
8. Video Games: Better Focus in Just an Hour
Step aside, Aloe Vera and Cucumber slices: playing action video games for an hour can actually be your ultimate eye spa! Research by specialists at the University of Arkansas shows that just 60 minutes of gaming not only enhances visual selective attention but also boosts brain activity associated with attentiveness. This gaming power-up works wonders for both master button mashers and novice joystick jousters, amplifying their ability to focus on crucial visuals while silencing pesky distractions – however, don't expect to unlock all achievements in a mere hour.
Source => neurosciencenews.com
9. Mario: The Stress-Stomping Hero
Who knew Mario was a mental health hero, stomping stress like it's a Koopa Troopa? Turns out, blasting through video games significantly boosts emotional awareness and stress resilience, turning gamers into ninjas of negativity management and champions of cognitive abilities like reaction speed. So, unleash your inner gamer and level up your stress-busting skills: video games can actually help you improve emotional intelligence and reduce stress, making you better equipped to handle life's challenges and seek support from others when needed.
Source => verywellmind.com
10. Halo & Rock Band Team-building
Who needs trust falls when you've got Master Chief and plastic guitars at your disposal: a study from Brigham Young University showed that teams playing 45 minutes of games like Halo or Rock Band significantly improved their cohesion and performance, all while riding the wave of gaming-induced "flow" for ultimate task engagement.
Source => ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
11. Minecraft: The Ultimate Urban Planner
Who needs SimCity when you've got Minecraft? Buildings, parks, and sidewalks – oh my! It's more than just your average block party: Minecraft is not only a fun-filled game but also a valuable educational tool, teaching children spatial reasoning, city planning, and resource management through engaging visuals and interactive scenarios.
Source => mdpi.com
