Gaming is no longer just the sole domain of children. In fact, online gaming has grown in popularity to become a global phenomenon for all ages. And it’s easy to see why. After all, video games have several benefits that make them an appealing hobby for adults. They provide an enjoyable way to boost your concentration, logic, and problem-solving skills. They can also help you overcome stress and anxiety. While providing a distraction from everyday pressures and problems.
What Exactly is Online Gaming?
Online gaming is any type of game that is played over a network. It can be played either on a computer or console and can involve single or multiplayer action. Perhaps the most obvious example is the massively popular online multiplayer game, Fortnite. This type of gaming has become increasingly popular over the last decade and has many advantages for those who play.
Online gaming is different from playing video games on a console in that multiple players interact with each other at once. Usually, in real-time. There are many kinds of online gaming, including role-playing games (RPGs), massively multiplayer online role-playing games (MMORPGs), real-time strategy games (RTSs), and first-person shooters (FPSs). Even online poker is a way to game online with other people.
The Meteoric Rise of Online Gaming
Gaming has been around for decades, but it wasn’t until the 1990s that it saw a massive surge in popularity. At the start of the decade, a software company called id Software released a new type of game called Doom. A first-person shooter (FPS) allowed players to compete against each other online. Shortly after the release of Doom, another FPS called Quake was released. This new technology was simply known as “Internet gaming.”
The year 1997 saw a boom in online gaming as companies began offering online services for games like Quake. In the same year, Sony released the first PlayStation console, which soon became a popular platform for online gaming. The release of Xbox in 2001, followed by the Nintendo Wii in 2006, brought online gaming to a whole new audience and helped fuel the meteoric rise of online gaming.
Brain Training Benefits of Online Gaming
There’s no doubt that video games have a reputation for being a bad influence. And are often thought of as a waste of time. However, the truth is that many popular video games, such as RPGs and first-person shooters, can actually be highly beneficial for your brain. Many games require a high degree of focus, which has been shown to improve concentration.
Plus, FPS games, which involve navigating through mazes of virtual pathways and puzzles, help you improve your problem-solving skills. Research has found that playing these games can increase your ability to make logical decisions by 11%.
Stress and Anxiety Relief
If you’re anything like the average person, you probably have a few everyday stresses weighing you down. And when these become too much to handle, they can begin to have a significant impact on your mental health. But the good news is that certain activities have been shown to help reduce stress.
Engaging in meditation is one proven way to reduce stress, anxiety, and even depression and is recommended by experts. Other proven stress-relieving practices include listening to music and exercising. However, the benefits don’t end there, as online gaming can also provide a way to reduce stress and anxiety.
Logic and Problem-Solving Skills
One of the critical aspects of online gaming is that it often involves multiple players. Which can make it a great way to make friends and meet like-minded people. In addition, many online games require you to collaborate with your team or group to “win” the game. This can help you to improve your logic and critical thinking skills, which can help you in your real-life career. As well as in social situations.
Online gaming can also help you to improve your decision-making skills. As you progress through the game, you’ll often be presented with different choices and will have to decide which path to take. These decisions can help you become more confident in making good decisions in real life. They can also help you focus on your goals and reach them more quickly.
Summing up
Online gaming is a hobby that has been shown to help improve brain function, reduce stress and anxiety. It can also help you to make new friends and grow your network of connections. And best of all, online gaming isn’t just for the kids anymore. It’s an activity that can be enjoyed by people of all ages.
So, why not get online and join a community of fellow gamers?
