numerous benefits for gamers
There have been quite tremendous discussions about whether playing video games is harmful or not. According to Jane Hurst (2015), computer games are categorized into 12 types: Action, adventure, combat, educational, first-person shooters (FPS), massively multiplayer online (MMO), puzzle, real-time strategy (RTS), role-playing (RPG), simulations, sports, and stealth shooter. Each kind can variously benefit students who might find joy or motivation to study further in relevant topics and develop practical skills in daily life.
It is believed that video games, regardless of all other purposes, were originally made to serve entertainment which is crucial for students who is full of energy and teenage crises. It is shown in a research conducted by College of Coastal Georgia that "for the primary reasons of playing video games, boredom came on top with 56.8%" (Ronny Khadra, Cody Hackshaw, & Leslie Mccollum). Even though students play video games for various reasons, but as the survey implies, they mostly play for leisure when they are bored. Hence, students use a video game as an instrument of amusement. But why is that? According to a cyber-psychologist named Berni Good: "Video games give your child a feeling of happiness or well-being, which is a human psychological need." There is a topic called "25+ Positive and Negative Effects of Video Games" on Raise Smart Kids website noted that: "A sense of competence or mastery when he progresses through game levels, video gaming also helps him relate to others in a meaningful way when he shares his gaming experiences with others in multiplayer gaming or in social media. It also gives him a feeling of being a master of his own destiny," (Tumbokon, 2019). It is the in-game freedom and winning chance, socialization that ignites the Dopamine in the player. While playing video games, our bodies release Dopamine - a "happy hormone" that keeps our minds fresh and joyful. Dopamine stimulates our heart rate; thus, it enhances our circulatory system, which makes us feel active, lively and merry.
The enjoyment is not the only benefit which students gain by playing computer games. Many students seek related information about one matter that they encountered in games such as a historical event, a famous figure or mythology, etc. For example, after experiencing "Age of Mythology" which is a game that consists of some legends and mythologies from the Norse, Ancient Greek and Egyptian, some players may execute a search for who Zeus and Odin were. In another game called Call of Duty: Modern Warfare, there is a mission which occurs in Pripyat, Ukraine after the tragic explosion of Chernobyl. Without carefulness, a player could die if they expose themselves in radiation for a long period of time. In order to completely comprehend the situation, players probably will look up information about the disastrous Chernobyl event. In addition, students who are prone to Dance Dance Revolution would spend more time practicing dancing. Furthermore, unless one actually participated, none can completely understand what war is. Notwithstanding, the player could visually and auditory experience the severity, lost and violence of The Great War which is brought to life by Battlefield 1. Moreover, the game offers diverse information about the "war to end all wars" such as data, weapons, armored vehicles, war stories, perspectives of various countries, actual figures, and so on. This beneficial knowledge could lead them into their future career such as visual effect editors, game developers, historical researchers, dancers, etc. Besides, a game of Ubisoft Assassin's Creed: Unity whose the story was set in Paris during the French Revolution is intended to be used as a source to recover the Notre-Dame Cathedral of Paris after it was vandalized by a catastrophic fire on 15th April 2019 (Moore, 2019).
There were many pieces of research conducted to prove that playing video games helps improve daily life skills. According to a study of psychologist C. Shawn Green from the University of Wisconsin: "Playing video games change the brain's physical structure the same way as do learning to read, playing the piano, or navigating using a map. Much like exercise can build muscle, the powerful combination of concentration and rewarding surges of neurotransmitters like dopamine strengthen neural circuits that can build the brain." Primarily, playing games develops mental skills. For instance, soldiers and surgeons can be trained by games. Why is that? Because "action game players make more correct decisions per unit time. If you are a surgeon or you are in the middle of a battlefield, that can make all the difference," said Daphne Bavelier, leader of a group of researchers at the University of Rochester. This is also reported by the Defense News: "The Army include video games to train soldiers to improve their situational awareness in combat." There is also a direct connection between video gaming skills and surgery skills. As in a study from Beth Israel Medical Center NY, "doctors who spent at least three hours a week playing video games made about 37 % fewer mistakes in surgery and performed the task 27% faster than non-gaming surgeons." Also in topic "25+ Positive and Negative Effects of Video Games" on Raise Smart Kids website said that: "Call of Duty and Battlefield series enables the player to effectively judge what information should be stored in his working memory and what can be discarded considering the task at hand", according to a study published in the Psychological Research. Moreover, children who are suffering from the attention-deficit disorder can improve their reading through playing Dance Dance Revolution because they can concentrate longer if they play games. That is a revelation from a study of the Appalachia Educational Laboratory. All of the above improvement can simply be gained by playing video games. Consequently, the more we play, the more skillful we are.
In conclusion, playing video games, regardless of any genres, offers students numerous benefits besides entertainment, and not only knowledge of history, mythologies, natural sciences but also improvement of daily skills. However, to productively achieve those pros, students should pay attention to time management in order not to spoil their selves into procrastination nor gaming addiction which can impact on your academic performance.
