Being a Hard-Core Gamer – The Social Benefits of Video Gaming

This would perhaps be a debate forever – the talk supporting the ill effect and that advocating the positive impact of digital games on a person’s psychology and social behavior. But, as much as the dark side of video gaming has come into the limelight, we cannot keep away from noticing the benefits of such addictions, as well.

Such attempts strengthen a person’s cognitive skills.

Modern-day technology has enabled developers to come up with high-end games carrying better resolutions and smoother user interfaces, most of which are also devoted to preaching violent content. However, contrary to the expected detrimental backlash, improvements in the cognitive capabilities of players have surprisingly been noticed. A hard-core gamer can imagine an object in a three-dimensional spatial arrangement more vividly than a non-gamer. Further, the former has a better hand-eye co-ordination, sharper memory, perception and reasoning capacity than the latter. It is interesting to note how a huge chunk of people who excel in the fields of science, engineering, technology and mathematics, are also big fanatics of video gaming.

The enthusiasm seems to have only doubled.

The conventional notions that have remained intact all these years suggest how such endeavors make a person lazy – both physically and intellectually. He almost becomes an alleged antisocial element, less supportive of the general ways of society. But, differing from this statement, scientific research and studies stand to prove how gamers are better problem solvers, strategy builders and role players than most other people. This is a potential plus point for their professional lives. Also, talking about creativity, it only gets better, more enhanced, with every such attempt.

And, most importantly, speaking of the anti-social behavior of gamers, it is only a myth now. A recent study suggests how youngsters, who suffer from attention-deficit disorders have been permanently cured with a daily dose of such fun activities. Also, with social networking becoming a mania, people are using the virtual world more to connect with fellow-gamers. Such mass participation is proof enough that no gamer goes into social isolation today. In fact, he or she advocates a better civic engagement, is only double enthusiastic about the entire connecting idea and does it with all heart and soul.

Gamers are more stress free and relaxed than others.

Such an attempt is a great way to free oneself of stress and strain. It is a superb mood and anxiety controller. It also keeps one away from evil, harmful thoughts and is the harbinger of emotional stability. It is one way of learning how failures are the pillars of success. Thus, the earlier notions that suggested how such attempts lead to depression and development of antagonistic, hostile natures, can very well be ignored.

Despite carrying a bad reputation, video gaming is a healthy, fun activity which can also behave as an educative medium when followed correctly. Such an attempt is a good confidence booster and helps players learn how to tackle challenges in their lives. In fact, it is an activity which resembles any other day-to-day activities happening in people’s lives. Yes, it is as simple as eating a pizza. Only, having a balanced perspective is important to see it as an advantage. But, of course, too many pizzas can end up upsetting the tummy.