Science is now seeing what players knew all along: video games aren’t just for enjoyment—they can help you out, too. Think back to when headlines told us video games make our minds better. To those who’ve spent a whole wet weekend making islands on Animal Crossing or beating levels in Zelda, this was no shock. It adds up—having fun with hobbies is good for your mind.
Let’s get scientific, though. What does science have to say about gaming and the brain? Surprisingly, quite a lot. Researchers have spent years researching gamers, and what they’ve found is amazing. A review of 116 studies concluded that playing video games does more than modify how your brain functions—it changes its structure. Gamers typically improve in attention, both selective and sustained, and the brain regions that control these abilities are more effective than those of non-gamers. In short, your brain becomes better at concentrating on what counts—such as avoiding that final blue shell in Mario Kart.
It doesn’t end there. Long-time gamers and those who adhere to video game training regimens have demonstrated an expanded right hippocampus—the area of the brain responsible for memory. Playing 3-D games specifically can increase memory development. One study even measured a 12 percent increase in memory test scores after a mere two weeks of gaming—the equivalent of how much memory normally diminishes between the ages of 45 and 70. So yes, all that Fortnite business just may keep your brain fresh.
Gaming, of course, is not all bonus rounds and power-ups. Studies indicate that there is the potential for some individuals to become addicted, and gaming can make changes in the brain’s reward system similar to other addictions. The World Health Organization’s “gaming disorder” classification remains controversial, but it is a serious issue for a small percentage of players. However, as Marc Palaus, first author of the review published in Frontiers in Human Neuroscience, notes, “Video games are likely to have positive effects, such as enhancing attention and motor functions, and negative effects, such as the potential for addiction. Both sides must acknowledge”
And what of all those brain games said to make you smart? Don’t be tricked. Wally Boot, a psychology prof at Florida State University, thinks, “There’s very little proof these games help your life in a big way.” You might be good at keeping numbers in your head, but that won’t help you find your car.
Here is where playing games wins big: it’s not just about being smart—it’s about feeling good. Games give you a way to relax, meet friends, and leave daily stress behind. When we all had to stay in, games like Animal Crossing and Roblox became places to hang out online. They allowed people of all ages to play, learn, and meet others when going out was too tough. Look at Keza MacDonald, for example. She said playing games helped her find herself again while she was handling the mess of being a new mom. It let her take a break from nights with no sleep and always working.
So why does the stigma persist? Perhaps it’s because gaming is a guilty pleasure in the eyes of some, or because sensationalized headlines pay attention to violence and addiction. But with nearly three billion gamers around the globe, it’s time to drop those ancient stereotypes. Games are as varied and rich as film, music, or literature—there are good ones, bad ones, and all points in between. They bring joy, assist with learning, and even keep one’s mind young at times.