How Video Games Enhance Cognitive Skills and Mental Development

The history of video games is a fascinating journey through technological advances and creative storytelling. One day, you’re reading a printout for text-based quests like Oregon Trail and playing tic-tac-toe on a tiny screen, then oop, it’s Pong, Mario, Mortal Kombat... One blink, and here we are, touring Ancient Egypt thanks to the Discovery Tour in Assassin’s Creed. With their complex graphics and storylines, today’s popular video games have become a part of daily life for millions of people worldwide. While gaming has often been painted as a distraction, numerous studies suggest that video games can positively impact cognitive skills and mental development. Of course, it’s all about balance, so we look into the benefits of gaming while keeping the importance of moderation in mind.

I Thought I Was Already All Cognitively Developed?

The impact of gaming on the brain is a topic of ongoing research. Many modern games provide immersive experiences that require players to think critically. When you are playing a video game, game emotions are directly related to your performance. Singapore University’s Jonathan Frome states that video games put users in an actor-participant role because their actions influence the story. The resulting emotions are based on what the player does, not just what they observe. The player has to adapt to new situations and solve complex problems. This interaction has been found to sharpen various cognitive skills.

Medical professionals recommend developing cognitive skills as a life-long pursuit, a foundation for cognitive health in the advanced stages of life when brain function naturally declines. Strong cognitive abilities will benefit you at present, too: they are linked to better academic performance, effective problem-solving at work, and improved social interactions. Workplaces increasingly rely on technology and quick decision-making. Learning to improve cognitive skills translates into better study habits and time management. Using AI tools like an AI essay writer gives your thoughts structure and optimizes writing in a busy work environment. If you’re looking to self-improve beyond gaming, similar services can help you notice consistent weak spots and improve over time. Read through user feedback like EssayShark or StudyBay reviews to determine if an essay generator might be a good fit for you. 

Research Into Video Games and Cognitive Development

Consider games like Portal or the Civilization franchise. They involve puzzle-solving and strategic thinking. These games stimulate the brain’s problem-solving centers, encouraging players to approach challenges from different angles. It seems intuitive that fast-paced action games should improve selective attention, a skill that allows players to focus on relevant details while ignoring distractions. But what does science say? To better grasp how video games help with brain development, let’s turn to the papers and see what our nerd brethren think about all of this. Luckily, the research into video games and cognitive development is by now so rich that literature review studies can be conducted (that’s a good thing). 

One review, based on 27 papers, found that video games improve cognitive skills like perception and attentional control, as well as decision-making when subjects are trained with video games. Real-time strategy players outperform first-person shooter players on cognitive flexibility, while the latter tend to have lower switching cost in work. Nurses and doctors showed improved decision-making and risk assessment when trained with serious simulation games. High school and undergraduate gamers showed better results when given tasks that require cognitive abilities than students who do not play video games.

Another paper found playing is not only beneficial for cognitive functions, but mental flexibility and visual working memory skills are related to the time spent playing video games. The more the study participants played, the lower their switching cost and the higher their backward visual span became. Fluid intelligence skills increased alongside video game time, especially after 10 hours of gaming per week. Planning skills and verbal span did the same, but this positive relation reached a limit of between 10 and 20 hours of video gaming per week. Reaction times also lowered as video game time increased, reaching a limit of around 20 hours of gaming per week and then decreasing in more intensive gamers. 

So, science says gaming improves fluid intelligence, mental flexibility, planning, visual and verbal working memory, and visuospatial processing.

TLDR; What Skills?

• Critical Thinking. Strategy games like Starcraft and Civilization push players to plan and make complex decisions, often with long-term consequences. This practice helps develop critical thinking skills, which are valuable in academic settings and real-life problem-solving.
• Memory and Recall. Games like Assassin’s Creed require players to remember maps, objectives, and storylines, which can strengthen memory and recall abilities. For example, playing Call of Duty for 28 hours improved visual working memory performance.
• Coordination and Motor Skills. Action and sports games such as FIFA demand quick reflexes and hand-eye coordination. These skills can translate into real-world activities like sports and driving.
• Multitasking. Many popular video games involve managing multiple tasks simultaneously. For instance, games like Overwatch or League of Legends require players to track various objectives, monitor team members, and stay alert for potential threats — all at the same time. This ability to multitask effectively can improve productivity and time management in everyday life.
• Social Skills. Online multiplayer games promote social interaction, teamwork, and communication. Games like Fortnite and Among Us enable players to collaborate and develop social skills, which are crucial for building relationships in professional and personal settings.
• Persistence and Resilience. Some video games (cough-Bloodborne-cough-Dark Souls-cough) are intentionally challenging, and players often fail before they succeed. This teaches the value of effort and repeated attempts as elements on the path to success.

Balanced Gaming: Moderation for Personal Growth

While the benefits of gaming are numerous, the papers we looked into found they disappear with overuse. It’s important to play in moderation. Excessive gaming can lead to poor physical and mental health through sleep disruption and increased social isolation. This damages your professional and academic performance. Setting limits and balancing gaming with physical exercise, creative hobbies, and engagement in real-life communities is vital for your overall well-being. Encouraging kids and teenagers to take breaks during gaming sessions is also a good idea that promotes healthier habits and prevents burnout.

It’s clear that video games can foster mental growth, but they work best when balanced with other forms of learning and development. Gaming can inspire further interest in technology and learning. The list of video games in your library should include strategy and puzzle games in addition to action-packed titles, and venture past the AAA bracket toward interesting indie projects. Explore a diverse range of games to develop a more well-rounded set of cognitive skills.

By recognizing the positive impact of video games on cognitive skills and combining gaming with other educational tools and services, you can create a well-rounded approach to learning and development.