It wasn’t all that long ago that video games were largely considered the wasteful past times of children or people that lacked a sense of responsibility. Such a notion may be a bit less common nowadays, but few people truly give video games the credit they are due. Reports show that gaming is not only enjoyed by people of all ages and genders, but that they also offer a great many benefits to those people that play them.
This report is from a study conducted by the Entertainment Software Association, with claims that 65% of U.S. adults, approximately 165 million, enjoy video games as a means of recreation, stress relief, and even mental stimulation. Roughly three quarters of all American households has at least one gamer in their midst. These statistics are a far cry from the mistaken notion that games are wastes of time that contribute nothing to anyone.
In fact, the study reveals that approximately eighty percent of those 165 million adult gamers consider video games to be a form of major stress relief, as well as sources of significant mental stimulation. Moreover, there’s no denying that gaming is far more diverse than many people assume it is. Public opinion often holds that gaming is a young male dominated hobby, but roughly 46% of the gamers mentioned in this study were female.
To be fair, that misconception could be due to the fact that some people don’t consider mobile games to be ‘real video games,’ despite the fact that they are. The study reveals that females largely prefer mobile gaming to the male preference of console gaming, though there are of course exceptions and outliers.
The study goes further to explain that video games have a rather profound influence on the day to day aspects of players’ lives as well. 56% of gamers are more likely to have a creative hobby like writing, drawing, or art, compared to 49% of non-gaming Americans in the same regard. Gamers are even shown to be more regularly involved with politics, with 59% of those surveyed stating that they are certain to take part in the next U.S. election.
In short, video games are more than just a means of recreation, and this study proves it without too much trouble. Video games are a way for people to relieve stress, a way for individuals to learn new skills or knowledge, and a way to experience great stories. They’re a way for people to connect with other individuals in their society, to learn the value of teamwork, or express themselves. They’re even a great way for families to spend time together and have fun doing what they love.
Gaming is the most prevalent means of entertainment in the United States, and many other parts of the world as well. That being the case, acknowledging how much of an impact it has on society is only prudent. Keeping this in mind is the best way to appreciate the value of a good game.
