The gaming industry is pretty huge these days. Since the 1960s, it has grown from a relatively niche hobby to something almost everyone enjoys, with over 3 billion global gamers. While it is easy to dismiss gaming as a childish pastime, there is a massive argument against that idea.
Modern video games are far more complex than products of the past. From online communities to XR standards in gaming, there are many reasons why adults need games, as explored here.
Reconnecting with Childhood
While we can take growing up more seriously than we should, we can benefit from connecting with our inner child. Even if you don’t play games anymore, there is something to be said about the power of nostalgia. Today, retro gaming, from Pinball machines to NES consoles, is a massive niche and generates a lot of money. By playing your favorite games from the past, you can rediscover what made you happy as a child and enjoy these hobbies with your own kids.
Stress Relief, Of Course
One of the most cited reasons for playing video games today is stress relief. A survey by the Entertainment Software Association found that 75% of gamers believe video games relieve stress. But how can a game help you become less stressed? Here are some common reasons:
- Completing complex challenges in a video game boosts serotonin and dopamine levels.
- You can achieve a flow state where you are fully immersed in a game and “in the zone.”
- Video games can be used as a welcome distraction from physical and mental trauma.
Dopamine is essential for beating depression, and gaming encourages its release. Being in the zone promotes serotonin, especially when you win at something. Of course, pain and suffering can be major obstacles in life, and video games allow you to escape your troubles for a while.
Adults Need Games for Creative Expression
There are many games that indulge every whim you can imagine. From caring for pets to hard-core and ultra-violent zombie killing and everything in between, there is something for everyone. Some of the most popular video games played by adults include creative games. You have probably heard of The Sims. But you may not know that there are people who don’t actually play the game and instead spend all their time creatively building homes for others.
Keeping the Mind Sharp
Rather than a mindless quick fix of fun, video games are more or less puzzles, and puzzles are well-known for keeping the brain sharp. As you get older, your brain can become a little slower, and you may not have the quickness you had in your 20s and 30s. However, the creative, logical, and fast-paced nature of some games means they can aid in cognitive function. Puzzle games are so good at this that it has been suggested they can delay the onset of dementia.
A Healthy Outlet for Emotions
Laughing and crying are pretty much the same thing. They are an emotional outlet. Of course, some people have trouble managing emotions and this leads to all kinds of problems within personal life and society at large. However, emotional stability is a fundamental part of maturing. Like books, movies and music, video games allow you to deal with complex issues and feel emotion for characters and themes, assisting with the emotional outlets a person needs.
Adults Need Games for Social Interaction
There is pretty much no end in sight to the enduring allure of video games, as the industry continues to grow. There are many reasons why adults need games, but a Power of Play report found that 55% of people play video games to deal with feelings of isolation and loneliness.
Enhanced social interaction
Multiplayer games specifically allow adults to connect with each other in meaningful ways. Someone who doesn’t enjoy real world social interaction can be an online social butterfly.
A strong sense of community
Most gamers are very passionate about their favorite titles. As such, strong bonds are formed through gaming communities, with some players becoming lifelong friends and even lovers.
Teamwork and communication
Video games require all kinds of skills to achieve a common goal. Working together allows you to develop effective teamwork, coordination, and communication skills while playing a game.
For all the bad press video games get, most articles never focus on the positive side of gaming. No longer a solitary and isolated pastime, most video games today have an online component that offers social interaction. This is a lifeline for adults who are awkward in society at large.
A Sense of Accomplishment
There are many reasons why life takes you down a different path, and the best we can do is deal with it in our own way. Not everyone achieves great things and accomplishes what they want. However, you can be a video game legend and do things you never thought possible. The serotonin release that makes you feel a sense of accomplishment is essential for health, no matter where it comes from, and actively fights against cortisol that causes depressive feelings.
Escaping Life’s Problems
Escapism is one of the biggest needs a human has. Life can be stressful and hectic, and sometimes, it is too much to handle. Some bury their heads in books, others are addicted to music, and there are people who love nothing more than the silver screen. Video games are also a powerful way to escape for a while, and with VR games, it has become even more so. If only for a few hours, you can be anything, go anywhere, and become something more.
Adults Need Games to Pass the Time
Having hobbies is a joy in life. Imagine how boring life would be if you could no longer go fishing, take photographs in the wild, or learn an instrument. Like these popular hobbies, video gaming is one of the most widely enjoyed pastimes people enjoy. When you have some spare time after work and responsibilities, there’s nothing quite like smashing opponents in a sports game, fragging noobs like Arnie in an 80s action movie, or taking turns like Lewis Hamilton!
Learning and Personal Development
Believe it or not, video games are being used as educational tools. In fact, in US schools, 78% of K-Year 8 educators use video games in classrooms (Takeuchi and Vaala). Whether you are a child or an adult, there are many ways video games can help you learn more effectively:
- Various studies have found that video games contribute to improved cognitive function.
- 3D games that involve moving objects are known to aid spatial awareness development.
- Educational content is absorbed easier through the medium of interactive entertainment.
In children and adults, playing games can assist in the development of brain function, and delay the onset of dementia-related illnesses. Spatial awareness is needed for everyday activities and SEN children and adults can benefit from games in 3D environments while learning and playing.
Finding Someone to Love
There are many ways in which video games can provide social benefits. Just having an online friend to play Call of Duty with is a major advantage, as you get to socialize with someone who respects you. Of course, it can also go deeper than this. The friendships found through gaming, whether online or off, can develop into something more meaningful, and many gamers have indeed found that special someone through a beloved medium they both enjoy together.
Summary
Nostalgia and indulging your inner child is just one reason why adults need games just as much as kids. There are, of course, many major social and educational benefits to gaming. Indeed, there are also gamers all over the world who have found love through their favorite titles.
Video games are a major part of society today, with billions of gamers worldwide. As an adult, the benefits of this popular medium can help with some of the biggest challenges we face in life.
