The rise of the video game sector has been a reality for some years now. Moreover, it is one of the few economic sectors that can boast that it has resisted well in times of pandemic. The figures support all the praiseworthy comments towards the industry’s departure, according to data from the Newoo consultancy, the revenue of gaming companies is expected to increase by an average of 20 percent this year.
Moreover, they are no longer just a children’s business, more and more users of other segments of the population are incorporated. For example, according to data from Antevenio, a multinational in the digital marketing sector, the age group with the most players is between 25 and 44 years of age. In addition, 45% of people who play are women in Europe, according to data from the European employer ISFE.
Moderate use of video games is always recommended, between one and three hours a day
Despite all these changes, video games have yet to overcome certain taboos. The most common is parents’ concern about whether or not their children are abusing them. As on mobile phones or social networks, moderate use is always recommended. More and more voices are ensuring that playing some hours can bring the user a whole series of benefits.
Many parents share this hobby with the little ones in the house. Already in 2014, a study by the Spanish Video Games Association (AEVI) indicated that six out of ten parents played video games with their children. More current initiatives also highlight the positive health impact of these leisure products if consumed properly. An example is the recent campaign of Fundación MAPFRE and the Professional Video Games League (LVP), Feel Good. Play better .
Since the campaign, it is recalled that today’s parents have grown up enjoying video games (the first appeared 40 years ago). They played with them and have been seeing their evolution: from the old arcade machines to the state-of-the-art consoles. Therefore, it is considered from Feel Good. Play Better that if, in due course, they did not demonize them, now they should not.
Benefits in visual care and coordination
One of the first clear benefits of video games is that they help improve visual attention, as they force to focus on what is happening on the screen. This then has an impact on an improvement in reading capacity. This was indicated by a study by the University of Grenoble Alpes (France).
Social skills such as teamwork or decision-making are also improved
The research of the same university also concluded that action video games can serve to combat dyslexia, an alteration of the reading capacity that affects 10 percent of the population. This is because it is a type of entertainment that forces the player to be vigilant and react quickly.
Another benefit is the improvement of movement coordination as they improve brain connections and increase gray matter. This was evidenced by research from the University of China’s University of Science and Technology and published in the journal Science Reports. The work indicates that video games foster a better interaction between the eyes and hands. This is the result of an improvement in the left hemisphere of the human brain, the part that is also responsible for mathematical calculations and logical reasoning.
Helping fight the vague eye, improving the perception of 3D depth, or reducing the feeling of pain – by thinking less about it, decreases – are other advantages for the human body that are achieved with moderate use of video games.
Not only do they report psychomotor or sensory advantages, they also contribute to the development of social skills. For example, video games that pose challenges and problems that need to be resolved quickly improve the decision-making capacity of the person who plays them. It also helps to relate to others, especially those who are multiplayer and require some kind of cooperation.
The million-dollar question is: what is meant by a moderate use of video games? Experts vary their recommendations between one to three hours a day. In any case, no one recommends going further. It is always advisable as possible and to combine it with other activities, especially those that are outdoors, such as sports practice.