The Joy and Risks of Video Gaming

• “Honey! Stop your video games. Dinner’s ready!
• Coming. One minute.”

 You will need ten minutes to beat this boss and finish watching the “Quest Completed!” cinematic. No way to save your game sooner. Twenty minutes ago, you asked when you could eventually eat, and she answered, “five minutes.” So, now, it’s her turn to wait. It would never have happened if she had been a little more exact with time. And, anyway, better playing video games than waiting in front of the TV with a bag of chips, right?

If this situation sounds familiar to you, welcome to the Gamers’ Club (with capital letters because We do matter)!

Video gaming is preponderant nowadays. Most non-video gamers see players as “hardcore gamers” like the 15-year-old geek wearing glasses, only showering when servers are temporarily down, and for whom “lunchtime” basically means playing games until being full.

In reality, the majority of gamers don’t follow this stereotype. In the U.S., 79% of video gamers are adults, while youngsters count for the rest. Playtime is similar for both groups: 64% of U.S. adults play video games regularly versus 70% of children. Worldwide, video gaming growth continues, with over 3 billion active players in 2023, almost half of the planet’s population.

We spend more and more time on video games. But how exactly is it impacting our daily lives?

Video Gaming Evolution

Video gaming has come a long way since its early days at the end of last century: from 8-bit pixelated characters to massive open worlds where you can wander for days.

The story started in the 1970s on computers. The first video gaming consoles came a decade later as fully dedicated entertainment platforms. Then, with the rise of the internet, people got access to online gaming. In the 2000s, cell phones, smartphones, and tablets included casual video games. Today, we find this form of entertainment everywhere, even on social media or in advertising (principle of gamification).

Video games went a long way. Owning an electronic device without at least one game installed is nearly impossible. They deeply penetrated our lives.

In parallel, the gaming experience nowadays differs from fifty years ago. We don’t play games like Pong anymore. Video games today require much more intellectual engagement. Along with the technology’s evolution, people are also much more demanding and want immersive universes.

The U.S. consumer spending on video games reached $50 billion in the 2020s, right after the COVID-19 pandemic. It’s a phenomenon no one can ignore.

 Video Gaming Evolving Along With Mobile Living

Today, more and more people and their families are choosing to live a mobile life and video games have become an enjoyable part of their new lives. Van dwellers in particular have been making video gaming an integral part of their entertainment activities.

So how does all this affect us?

Let’s Take A Look At The Pros and Cons of Video Gaming

5 Pros of Video Gaming

Scientists made many research studies about video gaming to evaluate its impact on people of all ages and genders. Most results show that it brings multiple benefits. We sum up them in five items:

• tuning cognitive skills
• making friends
• learning
• exercising
• helping against anxiety and depression

Let’s review each of them in detail.

#1 Tuning Cognitive Skills

Research shows that gamers beat non-gamers in almost every field of cognitive tests. Besides having better motor reflexes, players also develop these competencies:

• teamwork and delegation
• task prioritization and multitasking
• resource management
• solving skills and logic
• ability to decide under pressure
• competition spirit
• attention to details
• critical thinking
• memory
• spatial intelligence

Video games stimulate the brain and positively improve eye-hand coordination. Many games propose challenges that require strategic thinking.

Besides those skills, being tech-savvy is a must in today’s world. Many gamers find a job thanks to what they learned during their playtime!

#2 Making Friends

Back in the 80s-90s, playing video games was more about watching your friend having all the fun and you hoping for him to pass the controller as soon as possible.

Video gaming is no longer a solo experience. Today, many games allow playing with other people over the internet (or locally). On console platforms, it’s common to have four players on a split screen or even 16+ gamers connected from their machine. Many games involve massive multiplayer sessions, like the infamous MMORPGs (Massive Multiplayer Online Role-Playing Games). It’s an excellent opportunity to share experiences.

Some players even create virtual communities around the same game or genre. This way, they learn from each other: exchanging tips and tricks or helping when stuck on a level or task. As you play together, you connect and share your passion. It’s like having your tribe or support group!

Besides making friends online, some groups also organize offline meetings for gamers passionate about the same universe (role-playing tournaments or LANs –Local Area Networks–). Video gaming can bring real-life encounters and help build strong friendships!

Parents, especially non-gamers, tend to say that video games kill socialization. They don’t, as this technology naturally allows people to open more quickly and improve their communication skills.

#3 Learning

Yes, that’s right! Video games are not (always) stupid click-click-click-kill-get-reward-click-click-click-again activities. They also help people learn knowledge and languages. The secret lies in the fact that they are fun!

While playing, gamers often don’t realize that they are learning because they don’t feel like doing schoolwork or reading a book. They play with their friends while exploring digital universes full of challenges.

Many video game applications involve real-world history, geography, or even sciences. Players discover them while playing missions in some complex universes (such as Assassin’s Creed). Others propose mini-games to teach players how to solve problems (like Brain Age), conduct experiments (ChemCaper), or practice foreign languages (Duolingo).

Some parents use those apps for their children from an early age, believing that they are a better way to motivate them and help them focus. A few are more than happy to delegate the babysitting job to a cheap program, but that’s another matter!

Video gaming is an efficient way to keep your brain in shape and refresh your knowledge while having fun with friends. You can learn history, maths, culture, and most non-native speakers admit they didn’t learn English at school but with video games.

Moreover, playing games teaches us how to fail without being discouraged. In life, too, failure is part of success. Accepting it also helps in other aspects of our lives, like job interviews.

#4 Exercising

Until the rise of motion-controlled gaming devices in the 2000s, most people associated video gaming with a no-life fat boy scotched to his screen.

Today, many games encourage players to move around and practice physical exercise. Some require players to use motions and gestures (such as Nintendo Wii, PlayStation Move, or Xbox Kinect) instead of a classic controller.

All video game consoles now offer fitness programs. Many people don’t have time or money to go to the gym but can fit in 30 minutes of exercise while having fun with their friends and family at home. And what about dancing (like the Just Dance! franchise)? Playing sports is always a great idea – even if it’s virtual!

Who knows? Maybe someday, only gaming nerds will remain in shape because everyone else will be so busy watching movies on their couches while eating ice cream… What? Are you thinking of someone in particular right now?

More seriously, this incredible technology can be used at any age. Check how elders took advantage of gaming consoles like the Nintendo Wii for exercising. It’s never too late to learn something new!

Video gaming is not about killing monsters, managing a football dream team, or driving cars defying physics. It’s also about moving your body.

#5 Helping against Anxiety & Depression

Did you know that video gaming can also help with anxiety and depression?

Studies show that playing video games activates the same areas of the brain as when we are happy or solving complex problems. It becomes an activity generating positive emotions and helping release dopamine, serotonin, and endorphins — hormones associated with good moods.

Playing games helps people focus on something else, get a break from life’s difficulties, and find the energy they need to keep going. Some applications even propose special sessions focusing on breathing or meditation exercises (like Headspace).

During COVID-19, the consumption of video games rose worldwide by around +30% year-on-year. Scientists demonstrated positive psychological effects on players, like reducing stress or helping to cope with negative emotions. Video gaming is not only a fun activity but also a great way to handle anxiety and depression.

However, studies show that players spending over 33 hours a week on video games are 15% more likely to suffer from anxiety and 25% from depression than reasonable gamers (21 hours a week or less). Bottom line: video gaming helps you fight against those mental diseases… except if you are excessive. Your mental health needs you! Just don’t forget to take breaks every once in a while and remember that too much of anything can be bad for you.

5 Cons of Video Gaming

What about the dire consequences of video gaming? The literature doesn’t lack bad examples. We can classify them into five main categories:

• addicting players
• disconnecting from real life
• creating family conflicts
• creating health issues
• spending too much

Few of them are counterparts of the pros listed above. Let’s analyze them below.

#1 Addiction

In 2018, the WHO (World Health Organization) classified video game addiction as a “digital gaming disorder.”

Players with this specific disorder cannot control the amount of time they spend on gaming. They are prone to video game cravings, just like smokers crave cigarettes.

As we will see later in this article, this addiction can be so profound that some players even forget about food and sleep, putting their health at risk. In rare cases, death has been reported due to excessive playing without rest or nutrition.

Video gaming is often more interesting than other daily activities for many people. When hitting a high score becomes more important than real-life achievements and success, it’s time to face the truth: you need help from specialized professionals.

#2 Disconnecting from Real Life

We saw earlier that video gaming helps people socialize with other players locally or globally. In parallel, there are also those playing video games to forget their troubles and have fun in a digital world — a refuge from reality.

For them, there’s a price to pay. Players getting lost in this immersive world can learn bad habits and forget real-life commitments. This means they may neglect their family, job, or studies.

The game becomes the most important thing for them and disconnects them from reality — sometimes leading to severe troubles like psychological issues or antisocial behaviors like rudeness. They can also lack concentration on other activities.

Extreme cases may even confuse reality with fantasy. There are many stories of gamers claiming to be virtual characters and acting like them, such as this “Dark Elf” guy sneaking all around his house at night to grab something to eat.

Video games are a way to escape the real world, but they will never solve real-world problems. Besides, games allow you to “fail and try again” until you succeed in your mission. They always give you another chance. Real life doesn’t.

#3 Creating Family Conflicts

Video games are primarily entertainers, but not always.

Have you tried negotiating playtime with your little brother, who is unwilling to share the controller with you? Or exchanging chores for more hours? Have you been tempted to erase his precious game save with 100% unlocked achievements by jealousy? Oh, sorry, “by mistake,” of course!

Most parents would certainly have one or two epic stories to tell about their children playing video games… Excessive gaming disrupts the balance of real-life activities like housework, family dinner, or other responsibilities that are important for everyone’s well-being.

Families may then start feeling left behind by the over-gamer, leading to anger and resentment from both sides. Many wives and husbands fell into vicious circles this way.

Parents must set limits on their children if they suspect an addiction to prevent deeper problems such as those described above. Communication is key. Maybe you could try carving out some quality family time together after dinner or weekend activity. These measures will help maintain the balance in everyone’s life without sacrificing gaming time, which is crucial for gamers.

Another approach is to include some of your family in the game — like completing quests together or working as a team in a cooperative title. This way, you can all benefit from gaming while enjoying quality time with your loved ones.

#4 Creating Health Issues

Video games can lead to a wide array of physical health issues.

First, there’s the obvious concern: it can create obesity due to the passive activities required for gaming. Not everybody plays the fitness games we mentioned earlier. Most of them only need to sit in front of a screen.

A wrong position on the chair for too long creates back pain. Clicking on the mouse or tapping on the game controller too often affects thumbs and fingers. Many players face eye problems due to long hours spent without blinking.

Depending on people, spending too much time on video games cause:

• headaches
• dizziness
• nausea
• insomnia

Taking regular breaks is vital!

#5 Spending Too Much

Reality check: game developers want you to spend money on their products!

The way they do so evolved with time. Before, players purchased their games to enjoy their content. Today, more and more video games are free to play but offer in-game purchase options to benefit from extra features like character skins that you cannot get otherwise.

The problem is that these microtransactions can quickly add up, leading to an unexpected bill at the end of the month. Many players cannot resist in-game offers and tend to overspend their budget without noticing it — until they receive their credit card statement. How many kids stole their parents’ credit cards to buy some Roblux (virtual currency on Roblox)?

The best way to avoid this scenario is to stick with a fixed budget and never exceed it! Don’t fall into temptation. Most games following the freemium model (free to play with in-app purchases) are “pay to win,” and there will always be someone investing more than you to be the number one player. Buying video games with full content or playing free games by ignoring the extra items should be enough for you to have fun.

Video games can offer incredible experiences and fun, but they should be enjoyed responsibly! Keep an eye on your budget to make sure you don’t overspend. After all, real life requires investment too. Take care, and game on!

Are Video Games Dangerous?

Of course not! Dixit all gamers. Yes, they are! Dixit all the others.

We cannot ignore shameful instances like those players shooting at their school after being inspired by GTA (Grand Theft Auto, a game where players can virtually kill people to complete missions… or even just for fun). So, let’s be objective in the following analysis.

Do Video Games Make Us Violent?

This is a complicated answer. External factors make people behave aggressively, and video games can be one of them. Most studies agree that video games do not significantly increase violent human behavior.

Generally speaking, it’s up to the player if they want to indulge in violence or not — some gamers avoid shoot-them-up games only to focus on exploring new worlds and puzzles, while others will never turn away from a good fight! It doesn’t necessarily make the latter group destroy everything they see.

It’s about how you perceive the world and differentiate fantasy from real life. Playing violent video games won’t make you a monster if you have a peaceful nature. It is a hobby, nothing more.

Be aware of the potential dangers when playing. Always bear your mental health in mind. Prioritize having fun with friends or family instead of competing with random strangers.

Online Predators

The actual video gaming danger does not come from yourself but from online scammers. Since games are connected to the internet, it opens a door for hackers to get intrusive. Here is a list of the potential online risks:

• gaming account hacking
• money stealing (virtual currency or real money)
• sexual predators
• pushing into suicide

Online video game accounts have value. Some people even trade them. A level max profile implies hours, maybe months or in-app purchases, of gaming. It may be tempting to acquire one when you get started with a new game. Hackers don’t bother spending money to get them: they do their black magic to steal high-level gaming accounts. And you may be the victim of this ugly practice.

It also became easier to access credit card information as players must input them into their billing settings to proceed with in-game purchases. Yes, those payment gateways are secured. But some people still manage to uncover them. Not mentioning yet the game developers, who have control of the virtual currency, and who may bypass the normal billing process by selling those virtual items directly on the black market for a fraction of the actual price.

Going online means getting in touch with unknown people. Most connected games include chat functions where it is easy for sexual predators to pretend to be your friend. They may collect enough information about you, your place, your name, your age… and when you realize it, that’s too late. Never share any personal information online. Schools are aware of this and inform children at a young age.

As it sometimes happens on media channels, video games may be subject to extreme social pressure. It can be as simple as “You won’t be part of our group if you don’t play,” pushing people to gamble, hate, or even suicide. You can’t face this when you enjoy a single-player game without an internet connection. But as long as you go online, anything can happen. Be aware of this and protect yourself!

Video Game Warning Signs

As video games can cause addiction, here are some common warning signs to watch out for:

• spending most free time gaming
• playing long sessions continuously
• feeling guilty about playing for extended periods
• plummeting grades or skipping classes
• neglecting hygiene
• ignoring friends and family while playing
• being irritable when not able to play
• lacking sleep
• lacking enthusiasm for other activities
• thinking of video gaming while not playing
• having difficulty controlling the urge to keep playing
• lying about playing
• living in a fantasy world where everything revolves around gaming

If you recognize any of these symptoms in yourself or someone close to you, it’s best to take action immediately.

So, the answer is: no, video games are not dangerous, but yes, they might make certain people dangerous, precisely like a movie or a book can do. Video gaming can negatively affect your life if you don’t manage it properly or don’t use it in moderation. Too much of anything harms.

How Can Video Games Improve Your Life?

With proper use and moderation, video games can bring many benefits to your life. Let’s separate both cases: playing alone and joining multiplayer gaming sessions.

Playing Solo

It increases hand-eye coordination and reflexes. Video games also help you develop problem-solving skills, learn how to manage resources, build strategies, and increase creativity. Some games improve memory or even teach languages or maths!

Video gaming can help with stress or depression. Playing a game when feeling low gets your mind off the issue for a few hours and makes you feel better. It’s also a great way to escape from reality into an imaginary world of your design. And who doesn’t love to be the hero (or villain!) in their own story?

Playing Multi

Video games are a great way to spend time while entertaining yourself. Social interaction is significant too. More and more online video game platforms allow friends from different countries to join in the same game session and keep in touch. They even bring people together in real life for tournaments or events.

If this sounds tempting but not enough for you to leave your comfort zone, no worries! Many video games allow multiplayer sessions without being connected! What about sharing a screen and playing with your family or close friends? How many parents got close to their children thanks to quality time on video games? Kids love to share their interests with their parents. It makes a difference during the teenage life crisis.

Video Gaming Wrap-Up

Like alcohol or rich food, playing video games too much is bad. Moderate your gaming sessions and force yourself to pause at least every two hours for fifteen minutes. Go outside, and don’t forget to breathe fresh air. If you play over twenty hours a week, you should question yourself.

Video gaming is fantasy, nothing more. You can kill innocent people in first-person shooters. Not in real life. Games tend to sexualize women. Don’t do it in real life.

Video games are here and will be for a very long time. When you keep it balanced, gaming can enhance your personal life. It is better to play video games than passively watch TV or chat with friends on Discord, right? Enjoy the experience but stay aware of the risks.

So, don’t hesitate to grab your controller: you might have a lot more than just fun!

For Information on Amazon’s Luna Cloud Gaming Platform

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