Positive Effects of Playing Video Games

You probably might be here because you play lot of video games and often get ranted at by your parents, right? Well, from teachers to parents everyone says that playing games are bad, addictive, wastes lot of time and blah blah. But is that all true?

Every coin has two faces, so it is not all true that playing games are bad. It is a traditional belief that playing video games is addictive and causes diversion. Recent scientific researches have proved that playing video games have numerous positive impact on human brain. The following are some cognitive effects of playing games:

1. Improves Problem Solving Skills

Almost all games have specific rules which the player has to follow. This abides the player to think critically. This means the player has to think carefully before taking an action to ensure that they are within the rules of the games. It also stimulates the brain nerves to the next level. Puzzle games are one of the best brain teasors.

2. Enhances visual and audial memory

Playing games require both visual and audial memory. Like, before playing every game you read some instructions and rules which you have to remember before taking any decision in the game. Some of the games like Super Mario, GTA Vice City etc. runs on a specific story which the player has to remember while climbing up levels.

3. Improves brain coordination

Whenever you play game, you not only need to stare at the screen but also have to hit the console(even without seeing it). The activities and actions on the screen provide lot of mental coordination since one uses visual, audial and also physical movements.

4. Improves concentration

Have you ever noticed that while playing games you are completely lost into it. Well, you get so focussed into it that you no more even notice the bell ring or a phone call. Action Games are well designed in such a way that it captures the player's attention for entire period of game. Playing games help you to shapen your concentration ability in other tasks too.

5. Adds a booster to the brain

While gaming, the brain receives multiple stimulations (Visual,audial and physical). According to research, individuals who play video games frequently can process these stimulators faster than others. These stimulators ensure that the brain is continuously working to interpret them.

It also speeds up the way you process things.

6. Enhances Multitasking

Your brain is a processor and it actually loves to process things. Playing games can make you a multiprocessor. Take a case where you are playing an action game. You are gazing at the screen, the timer, the health of enemy as well as your health and at the very same time you are hitting your console buttons. This ensures that the player can observe and react accordingly to the game scenario.

7. Improves Social Skills

You won't notice but playing video games actually improves your social skills. In the current era of online gaming you get the chance to chat with other players in the game and you learn communication skills. Infact there has been other platforms like discord where you can meet people of your kind and make teams to play games together. Playing video games also enhances team spirit to another level!.

These were all the positive effects of playing video games but remember the very saying of Gautam Buddha:

                "If in excesss, even Amrit(Healers) are poison"