7 ways gaming is good for you

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June 15, 2015 11:08 AM

Evidence suggests that the benefits of play go well beyond entertainment and improved hand-eye coordination.

A young woman playing a video game.

Video games have come a long way since the simple one dimensional titles of the 1970s—and evidence suggests that the benefits of play go well beyond entertainment and improved hand-eye coordination. Here are 7 ways games are programming better people.

1. Better surgeons: A study of laparoscopic (small incision) specialists found that those who played for more than three hours per week made 32 percent fewer errors during practice procedures compared to their non-gaming counterparts.

2. Overcoming Dyslexia: One study has shown dyslexics improved their reading comprehension following sessions of games heavy on action. The reason, researchers believe, is that the games have constantly changing environments that require intense focus.

3. Improved vision: Although "Don't sit too close to the TV" is a very common statement amongst parents without a lot of science to back it up. In one study, 10 weeks of play was associated with a greater ability to discern between different shades of grey. Another had participants try to play games using only their “lazy” eye, with the “good” one obscured. Those players showed significant, sometimes normalized improvement in the affected eye.

4. Real life career boosting applications: Because certain genres of games reward and encourage leadership traits—providing for “communities,” securing their safety, etc.—researchers have noted that players can display a correlating motivation in their real-world career goals. Improvising in a game can also translate into being faster on your feet when an office crisis crops up.

5. Potentially slow the aging process: So-called “brain games” involving problem-solving, memory, and puzzle components have been shown to have a positive benefit on older players. In one study, just 10 hours of play led to increased cognitive functioning in participants 50 and older—improvement that lasted for several years.

6. Faster decisions: For some, that ability might be strengthened through gaming. Because new information is constantly being displayed during play, players are forced to adapt quickly. Player can respond to decision-making questions up to 25% faster if they have a gaming background.

7. Help curve cravings: Players preoccupied with indulging in overeating, smoking, or drinking might be best served by reaching for a controller instead. A university study revealed a 24 percent reduction in desire for their vice of choice after playing a puzzle game.

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