Video games have long been the subject of scrutiny, particularly in terms of whether or not they can have positive effects on their players. While some studies have found that certain games can have positive benefits, it’s hard to generalize due to the sheer variety of available video games and the different ways they’re played by their players. Electronic Arts (EA), one of the largest video game companies in the world, has recently conducted research into how its own games might positively affect its players, both young and old, at an individual level and to contribute towards society as a whole.
The Benefits of Play
Today, people are doing less fun things because they play too many video games. That doesn’t mean that they don’t have an excuse. Video games have multiple benefits to adults such as reducing stress, boosting mood, relieving pressure, and improving cognitive skills. It is a matter of opinion, but I think most video games are at least one of the two, whether educational or relaxing. Regardless of what type of game you choose, you will, at the very least, learn from playing it. You don’t need a lot of time to play; even 10 minutes a day is enough! If you’re ready to join in on all of these benefits—and have fun while doing so—then check out EA Games’ most popular titles below . These are just a few of their best sellers, but there are plenty more where that came from. You never know what you like until you try it! It’s impossible to know what the future holds, but one day, it could be possible that your favorite pastime becomes your career. After all, many famous writers and artists say that they were inspired by their childhood passions. Have a look at JK Rowling and Stephen King for an example of what we mean when we say get started with any one of these five options and you’ll be having fun again! For both your mental and physical health as well as your quality of life, exercise is essential. You just never know what you might be missing out on. Maybe someday you’ll be writing bestselling novels or earning awards for your music! Some will…others will not. Regardless, have fun!
The Effects of Brain Plasticity
Video games won’t make you as smart as Einstein, but can still have a positive effect on your brain if you persist. It’s like exercise: if you work out occasionally, there won’t be much of a payoff. But if you work out regularly for a sustained period of time, you’ll see some results. Brain plasticity is real and people who are serious about improving their cognitive abilities through video games will see faster progress than casual gamers or non-gamers who try out one game one week and another game the next. Even simple games can provide mental benefits if they’re played consistently over time. With that said, some genres of games do seem to have more impact than others when it comes to enhancing cognition. Here’s a quick look at which types are most effective… Strategy games may already provide an array of cognitive benefits to chess players, but recent research indicates these games may also improve memory skills and decrease the risk of Alzheimer’s Disease.
Adventure/Role Playing Games: Many adventure/role playing games involve interacting with characters and making decisions based on information learned throughout gameplay. These games require planning ahead and strategizing to achieve goals.
Action Games: Action games require fast reaction times, hand-eye coordination, spatial awareness, decision making under pressure, etc., all of which boost both short term and long term memory. These games also help develop problem solving skills (i.e., learn how to deal with obstacles) and increase focus (i.e., paying attention to details).
Shooters/First Person Shooters: These fast paced action titles test reaction times in a variety of ways—from avoiding obstacles in racing games to dodging bullets in shooters—and require players to quickly switch between multiple tasks while remaining alert at all times.
Improving Brain Function – Working Memory
On the one hand, computer games are well-suited to stimulating and engaging the brain, but that’s not the case for everyone. For example, one of EA’s most popular mobile titles is The Simpsons: Tapped Out, which can improve both reaction time and working memory for people who play it on a regular basis. However, if someone is already very good at video games (i.e., they have a high baseline of performance), it’s less likely that playing will boost their working memory capacity. It turns out that being awesome is its own cognitive enhancement! That said, there are still many benefits to playing video games even if you’re already great at them. There’s always room for improvement and practicing new skills—like making better decisions under pressure or learning how to work as part of a team—can lead to improved cognitive abilities overall. It does not mean that you should stop reading books and textbooks, there is actually some research suggesting that it is helpful to learn information through playing action video games to better retain that information.
Enhancing Brain Function – Simulations & Novelty
All day long, our brains soak up various bits of information—some of it critical, some not. Sometimes we seek out new info; it sometimes takes place automatically as we go about our day or when we are waiting in a traffic jam. Do you remember it all? Whenever faced with a cognitive challenge or a potential threat, your brain reacts immediately. There are many factors that come into play here—for instance, your brain’s reaction time to the stimulus, what you actually perceive in your sensory experience, and how well you’re able to recall that memory. This process happens so quickly that you can’t really appreciate its full impact until much later—sometimes days or even months after an event has taken place. The more you learn about these processes, however, the better equipped you’ll be to handle them. Video games have been shown to improve a player’s attentiveness and their ability to keep a more concentrated mindset. Actually, some evidence points to the use of video games as a treatment for disorders like ADHD and Alzheimer’s. As researchers continue to explore gaming’s effects on cognition, they will gain insight into ways people can use technology to improve their own mental performance.
Improving Brain Function – Experience & Repetition
There’s a correlation between playing video games and improved cognitive abilities. Before we get into that, though, it’s important to note that education in general plays a significant role in cognitive development. Science has shown that the act of taking in new information has the effect of restructuring the way we think over time, a phenomenon referred to as neuroplasticity. Neurons are stimulated to grow new connections (something similar happens when you exercise muscle tissue), leading to higher intellectual capacity. In fact, several studies have shown that practicing something—whether it be math or juggling—can increase brain volume in certain areas of your brain. It’s also been shown that people who play action-based video games like Call of Duty or Assassin’s Creed show greater improvements on tasks requiring spatial awareness than those who don’t play such games. This is due to two factors: First, action-based video games require quick decision making and fast reflexes; second, they encourage players to explore environments rather than follow a set path. By gaming, you learn to look at your surroundings from different angles. An ability that may come in handy for a wide variety of purposes!
Improving Brain Function – Exercise
Research shows that physical activity can help improve cognitive function and overall brain health. Scientists believe that exercise increases blood flow to your brain, creating new connections between neurons (brain cells). This helps you think more quickly and creatively. Physical activity also reduces stress levels, which can help you concentrate better. Finally, regular exercise may even protect against Alzheimer’s disease. For all these reasons, many companies offer on-site gyms or subsidized gym memberships for their employees. One of those companies is Electronic Arts (EA), a leading video game developer based in Redwood City, California. According to an interview with EA’s CEO in The Wall Street Journal, EA’s commitment to its employees’ fitness is part of a larger strategy of attracting top talent and maintaining a healthy work environment where people are motivated to do their best work.
