Despite the persistent stigma that they’re “corrupting the young” and are pointless wastes of time, video games have become one of the most popular ways for people to pass the time. There are countless parents out there blaming video games for everything from poor grades to violent and rebellious behavior – all while conveniently neglecting to realize what part everything else might play. The Internet has taken a hit too, particularly since it lets people download games, which gives players even less control over what games their children might be playing.
Through the years, the role of gaming has evolved. With the introduction of Wii Fit, the elderly are kept entertained while being aided with mobility.
It was also discovered that video games aid children with ADHD to concentrate their high energy level into a direct single focus. That is, when played in moderation. It also relaxes them, as brainwave frequencies are visibly transitioned into a beta, or meditative state while focusing on reaching goals or other parts of the game.
Clinical data has shown that the use of games on ADHD patients has yielded results that were on par with those of medication, with a few instances showing them to be superior. If nothing else, video games have the benefit of not causing adverse side effects. Aside from an improvement in their attention span, positive effects on IQ levels and neurological feedback have also been confirmed by clinical test data.
Several video games out there, similar to chess, also require a serious ability to plan strategically, examine all possible solutions and then eventually choose the most effective one. Games like chess and Sudoku are believed to be some of the best cognitive enhancing activities a person can play. In other words, they serve as mental workouts. With that in mind, many modern games, even those “shoot ‘em up” ones are created in order to promote neurological function, memory, logic, cognition, and intellectual capacity.
Completing such games successfully would also logically give the players some sense of achievement as they move on to the next level. Because of this, players are motivated work harder and to become result-driven and goal-oriented. Hopefully, this kind of mentality will be eventually applied into everyday life, so that these individuals can put the same amount of concentration, hard work and determination that they do for the video game, towards real-life ambitions and desires.
Completing such games successfully also gives the players some sense of achievement as they go on to the next level. This teaches them the value of hard work and motivation; they will become more result-driven and goal-oriented. Hopefully, this kind of mentality will be applied to real life, so they can put the same amount of concentration, hard work and determination towards real-life aspirations and desires.
