Resourceful recreation: a journey to understand video games, their significance and impact Video games: what people learn from these the unexpected teachers and their true worth

Malaz Dhirar

Video games, a constant in this technology driven world yet a topic of much controversy. There are those who believe them nothing but a pointless waste of time, others believing that they just cause harm and more who simply love them. Still, video games are demonized by those who don’t play them. It’s true that video games have their downsides, but is there such a thing in this world that doesn’t? It all comes down to what people make of them. The fact is, they have an impressive range of benefits to offer. Not everything is what it may seem at first glance. 

The significance of video games

Contrary to what their reputation may imply, research has proven that video games can help sharpen the mind and even aid in making bonds with others. Video games can recreate a new social environment and even enhance learning. Video games create a mixture of audio and visual stimuli that require people to interact with, presenting challenges and quests to complete, bringing forth a sense of achievement (1)(2). 

Video games also play a role in a social and community aspect. Not only that, they can be used in a form of therapy, with video games proven to be quite helpful with certain conditions like ADHD. Perhaps unexpectedly, they’ve also quite useful with education. In fact, gamification is an increasingly popular approach to the learning process. Video games provide an enjoyable tool to stay motivated and keep learning. 

The benefits of video games on health

Video games can be good for health in the long run. They’re good for the memory, certain games require a lot of concentration and strategic thinking, exploring video games worlds and remembering required details can strengthen memory. Certain games can require snap decisions and swift calls to action, eventually leading people to acquire better decision making skills (3)(4). 

Video games also present complex challenges, improving problem solving skills as players endeavor to overcome them. They’re a great way to relax and unwind, allowing people to simply enjoy themselves and leave their worries behind for a time. Various video games have different lore and backgrounds, including some based on myths, legends and even history. So players can be having fun and learning something new at the same time. No one ever said learning can only be via a class or a book, right?(5)(6)(7)

As the saying goes, things are never what they appear. The same goes for video games. Everyone is entitled to their own opinions. There’s no harm in trying a game that seems interesting. It can be another way to bring a little diversity to spice the days and help win the game of life.