For years, video games were always criticized as something harmful and even harmful to health, even if there was not enough evidence to support these accusations. With the passage of time, new research began to come out that pointed out the opposite, that is, this hobby actually provided a few benefits for those who enjoyed it. It seems like a never ending story, but a recent study suggests that there is actually no connection between video games, and the time we spend on them, to our quality of life and well-being.
Matti Vuorre, researcher in the Oxford Internet Institute, and other experts on the subject, recently published new research in which they talk about the impact that video games have on our well-being. Basically, it was concluded that no matter how much time we spend on this hobby, there is no solid evidence that it is directly affecting our quality of life.
Specific, Vuorre and his team analyzed the behavior pattern of 38,000 players through six popular games, including:
– Animal Crossing: New Horizons
– Apex Legends
– Forza Horizon 4
– Gran Turismo Sport
– Outriders
– The Crew 2
Although the time that these users spend on these games is not directly related to the previously mentioned factors, the analysis indicates that what does matter are the motivations of the users. That is to say, the time they invest in these games does not matter so much, but the quality of them does. In the own words of Vuorre:
“On the other hand, the motivations of the players during these sessions of constant gaming were associated with their well-being, suggesting that the quality of the games is more important to their well-being than the quantity.”
Vuorre points out that this type of study is of the utmost importance for video game developers to gain an in-depth understanding of the average gamer’s behavior pattern and to shape their experiences to obtain better results. Finally, this researcher states that, although he still lacks evidence to reinforce this hypothesis, he is almost certain that the results obtained are accurate.
Editor’s note: Many of the points that this research touches make sense, and although in the past there have been other studies that affirm that video games have a positive impact on the mental health of those who play them, this research is rather focused on well-being and to a certain extent period, the ‘quality of life’ of the average gamer. Will all those tabloid notes that seek to blame games for everything finally disappear?
Source: Matti vuorre