Games can be good for the mind | Skillprint study

24.10.2023 - 15:55 / venturebeat.com

Games can be good for your mind, according to a study that reveals the cognitive and psychological benefits of mobile games, Skillprint said.

Skillprint is dedicated to exploring the psychological well-being of gamers, the cognitive and psychological benefits of mobile games. The company’s research report challenges the prevailing concerns about the negative effects of gaming and sheds light on the positive impact that games can have on mental health.

Through extensive research, including a large-scale study and individual game impact studies, Skillprint said it has a nuanced understanding of how mobile games can be a force for good in promoting psychological well-being. Davin Miyoshi, cofounder of Skillprint, will talk about the report at our GamesBeat Next event in San Francisco today.

Research interest in gaming has been growing, with studies suggesting the potential benefits of certain game genres on various aspects of cognition and mental health.

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Action video games, in particular, have been extensively studied and shown to have broad cognitive benefits. Skillprint’s report includes a meta-analysis that demonstrates significant positive effects of action video games on cognitive domains such as attention, perception, and memory.

Skillprint’s research comprised two main components: a large-scale study and individual game impact studies. The large-scale study involved nearly 500 online participants who completed a personality test and provided information about their gaming habits, preferences, and motivations. The final U.S.-based sample consisted of 252 men, 213 women, and 18 non-binary people.

The individual game impact studies focused on 28 mobile games and examined participants’ baseline mood and changes in mood after playing the games. Participants also evaluated each game based on its characteristics, such as fun, engagement, and challenge.

The data collected in the study revealed significant relationships between gamer personality traits, motivations, and genre preferences. Players seeking immersion or inspiration were found to be more open-minded, while those seeking social interactions in games tended to be more extraverted.

Additionally, individuals seeking relaxation showed a preference for introverted gameplay, and players with high emotional traits were less likely to seek challenge. The study also found that younger players were more interested in finding challenges and focus in games.

Individual game impact studies

The report identified several mobile games that had a positive