Video games are booming in popularity among today’s youth due to growing incomes and access to technology. According to Statista, the revenue from the Video Games sector is projected to go up to US $221.37 by 2022. However, such a growth leaves many parents and educators dismayed as video games are wrongly considered to affect students’ concentration and cause addiction. This makes it imperative to logically approach the effects of video games.
You may be a student trying to convince your parents about upgrading your Nintendo console, or maybe you’re just a concerned parent navigating what’s right and wrong for your child. Regardless, you should read these 5 arguments in favor of playing video games.
- It makes education more engaging
Doesn’t the concept of playing to learn entice you? Professors are finding several ways to make their academic content more interactive. Video games help students learn better visually. Owing to the lack of practical learning during the pandemic, simulations have provided the closest experience to conducting lab experiments. As a rather indispensable part of modern learning, there are various games for student communities being developed. Here are some games that promote learning.
- Spore helps learn biology.
- Minecraft teaches design and creativity to its users.
- Scratch by MIT teaches kids the fundamentals of coding.
- It gives you a knack for problem-solving
Ever found yourself in a tricky situation during a video game? Then, you may have also strategized heavily while rationing resources and deciding which features to use to win the game. The same skill required to take several simultaneous decisions that are crucial to survival and maximizing points finds an analogous application in real life as well. An example is Sims which teaches money management to its users. GTA, available on Nintendo, has been shown to have enabled quick and correct decision-making in young adults.
- It hones fine motor skills and mental cognition
The agility required to maneuver players and quickly shoot targets not only reduces one’s response time but also increases the precision required by the student to win. Several studies have proven that gamers who play Assassin’s Creed or Call of Duty learn hand-eye coordination much faster than the average non-gamer. One cannot also dismiss the potential video games have to make the lives of the differently abled much better. Video games help children with non-typical development improve their motor skills.
Even though games can benefit students, they often have no time to play them because of the heavy workload. If this is the case with you, try visiting the Grab My Essay website. This service can help you with essay writing and other assignments, giving you some free time for enjoyable activities like gaming.
- Video games can be the antidote to poor mental health
Video games touted to be an escape from reality, help people in depressive situations by boosting their serotonin levels through rewards and progress in the game. They build confidence which can begin to reflect in their approach to life. Gaming communities offer a plethora of opportunities to bond with a diverse set of people for those who face social isolation. It allows people who would like to express themselves in ways they can’t in real life, as they can communicate through their gaming avatars.
- Gaming: A career option?
Esports is a rising career option. If you find yourself winning in Valorant tournaments, have a strong sense of teamwork, and are skilled in specific video games, you might just be on the path to becoming an e-sports star! To go pro in the field of esports one must pick a certain game and practice religiously. Forming a team and being active in the gaming community is important. Counterstrike: Global and International DOTA tourneys powered by Intel are perhaps the most popular global stages.
If not for a professional career, you can also choose to stream your games on VOD services; several YouTubers generate steady revenues from such content. For example, the most popular gamer on YouTube, PewDiePie, has around 111 million subscribers.
Summing Up
Video games are more of a boon than a bane and the above 5 benefits should bust any myths about gaming for students. At this point, you should feel an urge to explore games that’ll help you build the various skills mentioned above. Grab your controller – the game is on!
Author’s Bio – Ruby Butz
Ruby Butz is a specialist in training and motivating young adults. She often writes about the role of technology in developing a student’s skills. During her free time, she aims to increase access to learning tools and aids for a better-educated world through her penmanship.