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We often hear of potentials dangers games: people getting lost in fantasy, encouraging violence, loss of ambition, addiction, and on and on.
This list represents evidence-based and powerful voices on the other side -- a collection of articles, stories, and research studies that show positive effects of videogames.
It is not a comprehensive list. It is not meant to be a full literature review. It is not authoritative. It does not claim to be unbiased.
But, this list is a collection of sound research that shows games do good.
We all knew it.
Game Studies is still a young field, and there aren't nearly as many well-founded studies as we need (working on it!), but there has been a lot of good research on the positive aspects of gaming. These are peer-reviewed, methodologically sound studies from a variety of disciplines.
- "Neural Correlates of Video Game Empathy Training in Adolescents: A Randomized Trial.” Kral, Tammi R. A., Diane E. Stodola, Rasmus M. Birn, Jeanette A. Mumford, Enrique Solis, Lisa Flook, Elena G. Patsenko, Craig G. Anderson, Constance Steinkuehler, and Richard J. Davidson. Npj Science of Learning 3, no. 1 (August 7, 2018): 13.
- The researchers created an engaging videogame in which middle school students played as an alien who had to master "building emotional rapport" through facial expressions. The research found that participants showed stronger connectivity in the brain networks that are related to empathy and taking perspective. Some showed stronger neural networks that are linked to emotion regulation.
- See A video game can change the brain, may improve empathy in middle schoolers for an official introduction and news write-up of the game and research.
- “Digital Game-Based Education for Syrian Refugee Children: Project Hope.” Sirin, Selcuk, Jan L. Plass, Bruce D. Homer, Sinem Vatanartiran, and Tzuchi Tsai. Vulnerable Children and Youth Studies 13, no. 1 (January 2, 2018): 7–18.
- "Computer games such as Minecraft teach Syrian children new language and coding skills and boost morale in refugee camps, according to new research." See Research: Video Games Deliver Hope to Syrian Refugees for an introductory write-up
- “Is Time Spent Playing Video Games Associated with Mental Health, Cognitive and Social Skills in Young Children?” Kovess-Masfety, Viviane, Katherine Keyes, Ava Hamilton, Gregory Hanson, Adina Bitfoi, Dietmar Golitz, Ceren Koç, et al. Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology 51, no. 3 (March 1, 2016): 349–57.
- See Time Spent Playing Video Games May Have Positive Effects on Young Children for a good introductory write-up of the research. - “Video game playing is often a collaborative leisure time activity for school-aged children. These results indicate that children who frequently play video games may be socially cohesive with peers and integrated into the school community. We caution against over interpretation, however, as setting limits on screen usage remains and important component of parental responsibility as an overall strategy for student success"
- “The Link Between Playing Video Games and Positive Youth Outcomes.” Adachi, Paul J. C., and Teena Willoughby. Child Development Perspectives 11, no. 3 (September 1, 2017): 202–6.
- “Playing Super Mario induces structural brain plasticity: Grey matter changes resulting from training with a commercial video game.” Kühn, S., Gleich, T., Lorenz, R. C., Lindenberger, U., Gallinat, J. Molecular Psychiatry advance online publication 29 October 2013; doi: 10.1038/mp.2013.120
- Video game training enhances cognitive control in older adults J. A. Anguera, J. Boccanfuso, J. L. Rintoul, O. Al-Hashimi, F. Faraji, J. Janowich, E. Kong, Y. Larraburo, C. Rolle, E. Johnston & A. Gazzaley. Nature volume 501, pages 97–101 (05 September 2013)
- Virtual Reality Pain Reduction University of Washington Seattle and U.W. Harborview Burn Center
- Play to Become a Surgeon: Impact of Nintendo WII Training on Laparoscopic Skills Domenico Giannotti, Gregorio Patrizi , Giorgio Di Rocco, Anna Rita Vestri, Camilla Proietti Semproni, Leslie Fiengo, Stefano Pontone, Giorgio Palazzini, Adriano Redler. PLOS One (February 27, 2013https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0057372).
- Real-Time Strategy Game Training: Emergence of a Cognitive Flexibility Trait Brian D. Glass, W. Todd Maddox, Bradley C. Love. PLOS One (August 7, 2013https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0070350).
There is enormous value in interviews, reviews, news stories, and introductory articles and videos. These pieces may not be peer-reviewed, but they are all high quality, produced or written by experts, professionals, and enthusiasts.
- Video Games are good for you: The Positive Effects of Video Games.
- The Positive Effects of Video Games on Children is a good review of some recent studies.
- How video games affect the brain is a review of brain-training games from Medical News Today and includes references to academic material.
- Can Video Games Make You Smarter? an overview of significant scientific studies that present how various video games and genres increase congnitive abilities and coping strategies.
- Why Video Games Can be Good for You A list of 10 positive effects games can have, each with solid sources.
- Yes, Video Games are Good...for Your Mind and Body A detailed, but accessible description of the positive effects gaming can have on the body, brain, and mind. All with sources.
- Why Dungeons & Dragons is Good for You (In Real Life) A TED Talk
Extra Credits - YouTube
The premier YouTube channel on all things videogames from a serious perspective. The professional team with years of game making and playing experience has been doing deep dives into game topics for more than seven years.
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Hatred - Crossing the Line from Violence to Sadism
- This video's primary focus is a critique of a game that crosses the line from violence to sadism. But, in the first half and the last bit, it details (beautifully) the cathartic power of games and a well-crafted game's ability to help us process and manage our emotions.
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Moving Forward - Games That Do Good
- A conversation and exploration about the power of games for good including in scientific research, bridging cultural divides, education, and more. A serious proposal to spread the good about games instead of being "reactionary" when games come under fire.
Unfortunately, we often hear of the tragic effects videogames have on people, especially children. This is a short list of quality, evidence based pieces that disagree.
- “Violent Video Games and Violent Crime.” Cunningham, Scott, Benjamin Engelstätter, and Michael R. Ward. Southern Economic Journal 82, no. 4 (April 1, 2016): 1247–65.
- “Does Media Violence Predict Societal Violence? It Depends on What You Look at and When.” Ferguson, Christopher J. Journal of Communication 65, no. 1 (February 1, 2015): E1–22.
- “Do Angry Birds Make for Angry Children?: A Meta-Analysis of Video Game Influences on Children’s and Adolescents’ Aggression, Mental Health, Prosocial Behavior, and Academic Performance.” Ferguson, Christopher J. Perspectives on Psychological Science 10, no. 5 (September 1, 2015): 646–66.
- “The Problem of False Positives and False Negatives in Violent Video Game Experiments.” Ferguson, Christopher J. International Journal of Law and Psychiatry 56 (January 1, 2018): 35–43.
- “Overstated Evidence for Short-Term Effects of Violent Games on Affect and Behavior A Reanalysis of Anderson et Al. (2010).” Hilgard, Joseph, Christopher R. Engelhardt, and Jeffrey N. Rouder. Psychological Bulletin 143, no. 7 (2017): 757–74.
- “Violent Video Games and Real-World Violence: Rhetoric versus Data.” Markey, Patrick M., Charlotte N. Markey, and Juliana E. French. Psychology of Popular Media Culture 4, no. 4 (2015): 277–95.
- (Supreme Court Decision) Justice Scalia. Brown v. Entertainment Merchants Assn. ( Justice Scalia , Opinion of the Court ), U.S. (U.S. Supreme Court 2011).
Contributions welcome! Read the contribution guidelines first.
To the extent possible under law, Michael Wilson has waived all copyright and related or neighboring rights to this work.