Compared to their origins, video games today look very different. We’ve come a long way from the days of 2-D video games. Yet, if you glimpse state of the art in gaming today, you’ll see 9-D games, VR games, and plenty more. The scope of video games has expanded beyond mere amusement.
Now more than ever, video games are intended to influence users positively. Gamers aren’t held in high esteem for their practical contributions to society. Yet, this perception may shift over time due to a new game genre that enables players with little scientific training to confront some of science’s most pressing issues.
Video Games as a Scientific Solution
Several contemporary scientific and practical issues are being addressed with video games. Although scientists and gamers are on opposite ends of the spectrum, they share a common goal: to find a solution to a problem within established parameters. Many scientific advancements have been produced with the assistance of these video games, which has surprised many and demonstrated the medium’s vast potential.
2011 saw the players of the protein folding puzzle game Foldit able to determine the sequence of an enzyme responsible for a monkey version of Aids. Scientists have been pondering this issue for 13 years. In three weeks, the gamers had the problem solved.
In the following year, players of the online astronomy game Planet Hunters discovered a peculiar planet containing four stars in its system; since then, they have uncovered 40 planets with habitable zones undetected by trained astronomers.
For example, genetic research can discover patterns and sequences, even when the data appears jumbled. Analyze the data in the form of a Candy Crushstyle pattern-matching game. Instead of just trying to align and score patterns, gamers can be on the lookout for Alzheimer’s disease, cancer, and diabetes-causing mutations.
Other Benefits of Video Games
Increases Mental Capacity
The cognitive benefits of gaming are considerable, but the most notable is that it encourages critical thinking. Whether you’re playing Candy Crush, GTA, or online poker, every game has its own unique set of challenges that you must overcome. For example, when playing poker, it is essential to familiarize yourself with the rules, and you can do so at https://www.tightpoker.com/poker-hands/.
Thinking creatively to do some activities or handle particular difficulties is often necessary. Video games are a great way to hone your problem-solving ability and gain experience making quick, well-informed judgment calls under pressure.
Builds Different Qualities
Talents such as the capacity to think critically, solve problems, be flexible, and take charge, can be honed through playing video games. Several video games now integrate with various social media platforms, allowing players to meet new people and expand their social circle.
Increase Your Intelligence
Some gamers have reported that the subject matter of video games has spurred their interest in historical studies and led them to read more and do more investigation. You’ll be better able to remember information and make sound decisions, making it much less of a challenge to deal with everyday stresses.
Final Thoughts
It is rare to come across cases of video games being used to solve scientific problems. To most, this is unlikely to happen. The stereotypical view of video games is that they are for amusement and only scientists are responsible for solving scientific challenges.
However, video games that can be used to solve scientific problems attract some of the world’s brightest minds, many of whom go untapped in the real world. They have no interest in research careers and aren’t inspired by what they perceive as “boring” science. We need to find ways to turn difficult problems into games to access that level of intelligence.