MORE SUCCESSFUL THROUGH COMPUTER GAMES: IS THAT POSSIBLE?

 

The average gamer plays games just because it’s fun, the side effects are not relevant to them.  But there are some people who think about playing computer games to train the brain and thereby get more successful in real life. Some scientific studies actually show that gaming can be food for the brain. Does it have a positive effect on your professional life if you play these games in your free time? And if so: Which games are most beneficial?

The fact that more than 50 % of PC gamers spend money on their hobby shows how deeply involved they are. While playing their games day by day, they get better and better, faster and faster. Does this carry over to working life? Yes, when your personal skills improve in general by playing. This is the case with strategy games because you train your logical thinking with them and afterward you can apply your new skills to other areas as well.

WHAT IS THE EFFECT OF STRATEGY GAMES?

Researchers at the Queen Mary University of London found that strategy gamers performed significantly better in some psychological tests compared to non-gamers. In cognitive flexibility tests, they were able to react faster and more precisely. This means that their ability to adapt to new situations had improved – just through gaming.

Digital strategy games don’t just consist of cutting-edge novelties, among them there are also well-known classics like Chess and Poker. In online casinos, you can play not only card games, but also slots and virtual dice. The Poker rooms are a good strategic training field while the other offers rather contribute to interim relaxation. Which one offers you the best bonus system? How long do you have to wait for payouts? These and other questions are answered directly on the page, one-click takes you to the selected provider.

So, you see, highly complex strategy games such as StarCraft by Blizzard are not needed to get your brain going. Just play a few rounds of blackjack on your smartphone to trigger your thinking mechanisms.

WHAT ABOUT SHOOTERS: ARE THEY BENEFICIAL?

Let’s have a closer look at another genre, the shooters. Studies come to similar conclusions about these special games. Here, too, the brain has to perform at its best. Gamers train their coordinating movements and they learn to move perfectly within a given 3D world. The learning effect shows itself in the spatial perception that also improves in real life. Depending on the respective game, strategic thinking is also required, because the players sometimes have to wait and plan before they react.

The genre is often demonized, but if you play a regular shooter like Counter-Strike that is not focused on brutality and carnage, you may expect a profit for your brain. In contrast, extremely brutal games achieve the opposite: Researchers at Indiana University studied young people between 13 and 17 and found that their reactions, self-control, and logical thinking were reduced because of playing carnage games.

MOST IMPORTANT: CHOOSE THE RIGHT GAME FOR YOU!

So, a supposed bad habit under certain circumstances can be used to specifically further your way to success. But to achieve your goals you have to choose the right game. It must be one that really improves your skills – and that you enjoy. It makes no sense to regularly play a game you don’t like at all just to have your training lessons. So, choose well between Chess and Candy Crush, between Battlefield and Minecraft. Remember that not every game is suitable for achieving positive effects. And, moreover, not every positive effect is ultimately helpful for your career. We recommend having a closer look at the important success factors of your individual job and comparing them to the benefits you can have from certain games. Is it compatible?

Another important thing is to be moderate. Only moderate gaming has recognizable positive effects on everyday life. Those who play on their computer many hours a day take the risk to lose touch with reality. And, by the way, they become really lonely. The recommended playing time lies between 100 minutes and 1.5 hours per day, depending on the age of the gamer. Younger people should play less, older people can get away with more. Make sure to have your compensation time with physical activities, your friends, and perhaps a touch of nature. Then everything will be fine.