14 Reasons Why You Should Start Playing Video Games

According to figures reported in Insider Intelligence, two-thirds of under-18s play video games. But not only teens are into video gaming. More than half of the US population enjoys this form of entertainment.

Around 160 million people play games on their mobile devices. And the average time spent playing rose about 16.5% during the worst of the COVID-19 pandemic.

If you’ve never played video games, here are ten compelling reasons to start today.

1. Connect with Friends and Family

Gamers’ headphones and unwavering attention to a screen can seem antisocial to non-gamers. However, headphones are typically courtesy to others and help with immersion and stereo gameplay.

Contrary to the antisocial stereotype, more games have online elements that allow gamers to chat and play with others. Far from being an antisocial activity, gaming is social. Through gaming, players connect with friends and family or people they don’t know all around the globe.

During the COVID-19 pandemic lockdowns, gamers were among the least affected by feelings of isolation as they could connect with friends and family online. Online gaming is known for helping people engage with old and new friends.

Nonetheless, it’s essential to remember that it’s easy for someone to create a profile and pretend to be someone they are not. To make video gaming safe for yourself, take into account the following information:

  • Never share identifiable information with gamers you don’t know in person, including phone numbers, email addresses, and your full name.
  • Use Nuwber to check out people you play with. It can tell you if they are who they say they are, allowing you to gauge your safety and decide whether to continue interacting with these people.
Gaming with Friends and Family

2. Hone Leadership Skills

Where else can most people have the opportunity to lead an army, build a city, or design an economy?

Players hone leadership skills when playing video games, especially when working collaboratively with human players. Joining clans and playing cooperative games can give people practical leadership experience, including active listening, delegation, decision-making, and problem-solving, all under pressure. And they can do it in a safe environment.

3. Improve Coordination

Gaming improves hand-to-eye coordination. Video games are so true to life in some respects that they can give players a feel for real-life situations, such as with driving and flight simulators.

Gaming often demands fast reflexes, leading to positive outcomes for visuomotor control. According to researchers at the University of Toronto, games could help people build hand-eye coordination and sensorimotor skills.

Players need to react quickly and accurately to events happening on the screen, and with practice, these skills can transfer to real-life situations.

4. Improve Cognitive Function

Research has shown that the mental stimulation that gaming provides can boost cognitive function. In a study of about 2000 children that played games for at least three hours per day, these kids performed better at tests involving memory and impulse control than children that didn’t play games.

The US Department of Health and Human Services’ Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development Study determined that more study is required to fully understand the apparent benefits of gaming for cognitive ability.

Check out these games for your brain exercise.

5. Become a Game Designer

Become a Game Designer

The gaming industry is going from strength to strength. With its increasing popularity comes a growing need for people to work on all aspects of games.

Games require writers, digital artists, storyboarders, software and app developers, programmers, games testers, salespeople, and many more professionals to take an idea to gamers’ screens.

The industry is predicted to be worth $321 billion by 2026. For a slice of that gaming pie, think about your interests and potential career path now. There’s no better way to familiarize yourself with the gaming industry than to read around online and play some of the popular games that appeal to you the most.

6. Experience the Variety of Games

While video games might conjure up a certain image, Games Designing estimates that there are more than 30 genres, including:

  • Exercise
  • Educational
  • Board Games
  • Combat
  • Real-Time Strategy
  • Puzzles
  • Rhythm and Performance
  • Role-Playing
  • Text-Based
  • Platform

Technology advances rapidly. Accordingly, so does gaming. The improving stories, gameplay, quality, and interactivity constantly attract new people to this form of entertainment.

7. Enjoy the Classics

If you thought the early days of gaming were the best and 80s graphics and joysticks are where it’s at for you, you can use gaming emulators to turn a variety of modern machines – including PCs, consoles, and Andriod phones – into classic gaming devices.

If Jet Set Willy, Street Fighter, Outrun, Donkey Kong, and Pong mean anything to you, you can reconnect with a range of classics with some research and a few downloads.

8. Lucid Dream

Lucid Dream

Coined by psychiatrist Frederik van Eeden and developed by psychologist Stephen LaBerge, lucid dreaming describes the practice of being aware of dreaming while dreaming. It’s scientifically demonstrated to be different than waking consciousness and REM sleep. People worldwide experience lucid dreaming for entertainment, exploration, problem-solving, and creativity.

Gamers lucid dream more frequently than non-gamers. This might be due to gamers and lucid dreamers immersed in a fabricated world in which they exist as avatars or other representations of their physical selves.

If you want to lucid dream more frequently or you’re exploring the topic for the first time, gaming can be a gateway to a new way of understanding your mind.

9. Participate in Your Entertainment

Video games make gamers active participants in the action. Non-linear video games like The Witcher III, the Grand Theft Auto Series, Minecraft, and World of Warcraft allow users to enjoy massive open maps and make their own stories, adventures, and, often, characters.

No more vegging in front of the TV. With multiple possibilities and outcomes, gamers can determine what happens, if, how, and when.

10. Enjoy World-Class Storytelling

The gaming industry is bigger than the movie and music industries combined. That’s one reason why video games attract top-tier stars like Gary Oldman, Kiefer Sutherland, Ice Cube, and Elliot Page. You can grapple with Samuel L Jackson in Grand Theft Auto San Andreas or be Terry Crews in Crackdown 3.

You can expect high-quality writing, storytelling, and world creation with actors like these lending their considerable talents.

11. Stress Relief

After a long day, playing video games can be an excellent way to unwind and relax. They provide an escape from the stresses of daily life, allowing you to focus on a different world or task, even if just for a short while. This can help to reduce anxiety and improve your overall mood.

12. Educational Benefits

Believe it or not, some video games can be educational! They can help players learn new information, develop language skills, or even practice math and science concepts. Plus, games that require you to read and follow complex instructions can help improve your reading comprehension and attention to detail.

Check out these Educational games for PC

13. Better multitasking abilities

Many video games require players to manage multiple tasks at once, such as monitoring resources, controlling characters, and making split-second decisions. This can help improve your ability to multitask and prioritize tasks effectively in real-life situations.

14. Boosts Creativity

Some video games encourage players to think outside the box and use their imagination. Whether it’s designing a character or building a virtual world, gaming can help foster a creative mindset that can be applied to various aspects of your life.

Conclusion

This mainstream entertainment industry is on the rise, so now is an excellent time to get involved. There is a vast choice of game styles available and plenty of opportunities to play with others over the internet.

Just as people can eat most kinds of food as part of a healthy balanced diet, gaming has minimal risks as part of a balanced diet of socializing, hobbies, and exercise.

In moderation, gaming has been demonstrated to be good for people’s brains and emotions. You can enjoy a gratifying pastime with significant emotional and mental health benefits.

So, the next time someone questions the value of video games, you can let them know that there are indeed plenty of benefits to be gained from playing them. Of course, it’s important to maintain a healthy balance between gaming and other activities, but there’s no denying the positive impact that video games can have on our lives. Happy gaming!

Shana

I love gaming and I have been playing games since the late 90s. I am very passionate about gaming and I always find the time to play different games. I started this website to take my hobby to the next level and share it with the world.

GPCD