A new study conducted by Oxford University claims that video games are good for your mental wellbeing.
The groundbreaking study, which was undertaken in collaboration with academics at the university working with true gameplay data for the very first time, focused on people playing Animal Crossing: New Horizons and Plants vs. Zombies: Battle for Neighborville.
While previous studies focused on often inaccurate play-time data supplied by the players themselves, this new study was one of the first to take advantage of actual play-time data; the team at Oxford University was able to connect the questionnaires completed by those taking part with actual play-time records.
The report reads:
Contrary to many fears that excessive game time will lead to addiction and poor mental health, we found a small positive relation between gameplay and well-being.
Overall, our findings suggest that regulating video games, on the basis of time, might not bring the benefits many might expect, though the correlational nature of the data limits that conclusion.
Andrew Przybylski, the lead researcher on the project, states that prior to the study taking place, he was shocked at how little data gaming firms had on the people who play their products. He was also concerned about the fact that hard data didn't seem to factor into previous studies done on the effects of gaming on people.
Przybylski said:
This is about bringing games into the fold of psychology research that’s not a dumpster fire. This lets us explain and understand games as a leisure activity. It was a quest to figure out is data collected by gaming companies vaguely useful for academic and health policy research?
He adds that the study "shows that if you play four hours a day of Animal Crossing, you’re a much happier human being, but that’s only interesting because all of the other research before this is done so badly." However, he's also keen to stress that this study doesn't paper over the various negative aspects of gaming, but by conducting more research, they can better understand what causes them:
I’m very confident that if the research goes on, we will learn about the things that we think of as toxic in games, and we will have evidence for those things as well.
It's worth noting that the study only covers the two mentioned games, which are intended for all ages; Animal Crossing: New Horizon, it should also be pointed out, is a very chilled-out experience, so it's hardly surprising that playing it results in people feeling happier and more contented. It is noted that games which are “intrinsically” enjoyable could offer a different reaction to those which are focused on more “extrinsic” behaviours, such as feeling as though you're being bullied into taking part by other players or overbearing game mechanics.
Ultimately, Przybylski hopes that this study – coming from such a prestigious academic institution – will force other people researching the effects of video games to press for more accurate evidence and data, especially as some organizations are issuing statements which paint video gaming in a negative light:
You have really respected, important bodies, like the World Health Organization and the NHS, allocating attention and resources to something that there’s literally no good data on. And it’s shocking to me, the reputational risk that everyone’s taking, given the stakes. For them to turn around and be like, ‘hey, this thing that 95% of teenagers do? Yeah, that’s addictive, no, we don’t have any data,’ that makes no sense.
[source theguardian.com]
Comments 48
But games don’t cause anger, which leads to violence. Hm. : )
I find it weird that I find very hard games like Celeste relaxing.
Like more chill than Animal Crossing.
Am I alone on this?
And thus Life Sim games are my best genre.
The Sims, Animal Crossing New Leaf & Animal Crossing New Horizons are examples.
Portal Knights, Dragon Quest Builders 1 & 2 too for Sandbox style of building the buildings.
@LatsaSpege I find Pikmin as relaxing as Animal Crossing.
Can't say I'm too surprised by this.
Yeah, shakedowns by that ring tailed crime lord are soooo relaxing....
Totally agree with Animal Crossing. I had a horrific experience with Covid in April (on a ventilator etc at only 28yrs old) and it mentally scarred me, but the distraction of calmly playing AC for a few months really helped. A much needed distraction.
Games like Animal Crossing would just bore me to tears, but games like RE4 would cheer me up.
Basically if you find the right games for you it will make you feel better.
They will probably also comes across game time findings if they continue this research.
1-3 hours of gaming will probably be better for mental health than 5-10 hours. Then again 6-10 hours is probably an indicator of other issues that reinforce that level of play time.
Yeah. Read about this. Games like Animal Crossing and non-shooter games with social interaction was another finding or something.
I had a bad time with depression in the 2000s and the Nintendo Wii helped me though that a lot. Mainly Wii Sports.
Between College and a part-time job, playing this game is almost the only other thing I do.
I can easily say that Animal Crossing has helped me through this awful year.
It's pure innocence (which I take pleasure in corrupting my villagers to say unsavoury things 🤭) and charm is an antidote.
I've games for almost 40 years and it's up there with the Souls games and Skyrim as my all-time favourite game and my favourite in the series.
If one game had to describe Nintendo, it would be this.
Game of the year by far
Had a blast playing the Futures Connected "epilogue" of Xenoblade Chronicles DE this week and I found it oddly relaxing.
The new OST was big part in it, but I didn't feel pressed by truckloads of timed quests to do and battles were a little less complex
It's been some time since a jRPG didn't feel like a chore and I enjoyed it as relaxing time every night
During the height of the Covid shut down (March to May) all i did was visit friends. Fly to different places, fish, shop, work of all kinds of odd projects. ACNH saved my sanity on 2020. Nintendo didnt plan it that way but AC was a hit due the pandemic. That and tiger king on netflix
@LatsaSpege You are not alone! During your time with Celeste, I believe you are achieving what is called Flow. Flow is healthy for humans, and it usually comes from physical activities like skiing, pottery, etc., but it also could be possible in gaming.
You achieve Flow in the midst of focusing on the challenge of an activity. The key is the balance between conducting an activity just difficult enough to challenge us, but not so difficult to frustrate or feel the sense of impossibility. This balance is different for everyone!
Psychologically, the component to Flow that makes it healthy is the full immersion in the moment. That's why meditation is also healthy for us, because it is the practice of mentally focusing on (and eventually learning to immerse yourself in) the present moment.
I can't agree.
I played Animal Crossing for 150hrs during lockdown and wished I was dead the entire time.
I did read about this and thought how positive is was to read, then I kept reading and they also said this -
"Findings align with past research suggesting people whose psychological needs weren’t being met in the ‘real world’ might report negative well-being from play."
Typical of life, they give it to you in one hand and take it away in the other.
Animal Crossing really stresses me out, I hate how everything is time gated.
Want to build that new item you've unlocked - come back in a week once you've got enough items because they have a ludicrously low daily spawn rate.
I used to just go to other people's islands and buy everything I want from them, I've got so many bells and NMT with nothing to spend them on in game it made sense - I quickly got bored and moved on to other games.
I actually am doing a small research paper on this topic (video games and mental health) and its actually interesting how many people do advocate for video games. Many of the fear inducing studies where done 20+ years ago and with a lot of problems. Video games have actually helped fight against stigmas, informed others about mental health issues that one may face, and even helped connect many to a network of people. Most people now a days dont play alone.
Video gane addiction is real but isnt as common as every parent makes it out to be. Just because you play alot ≠ addicted, theres gotta be more symptoms.
I don't think people fantasizing a cat with heterochromia being a maid outfit wearing femboy is something one with good mental health would do.
Well I could've told you that, AC was a pleasant escape through and through, unless you got anxiety from seeing everyone's better islands on social media lol. I can see how it's more pleasant these days vs older titles where the neighbors weren't as neighborly and kind as they are in NH. I'm glad this game is giving many respite from the critical times we are dealing with in today's world. I personally find any games with a party/group of characters working together to be relaxing, Yakuza 7 has been a zen experience for me because of this, even if it can be tough at times, same with games like Dragons Dogma, even at its most difficult/frustrating the pawns make it fun for me, and in a less active role, the villagers on my animal crossing island serve a similar purpose for me.
@NEStalgia,
"Yeah, shakedowns by that ring tailed crime lord are soooo relaxing..."
You are so cynical fella.
But is it comfy like Bloodborne
I thought not.
I'm surprised nobody mentioned that the lead researcher seems like such a chill and funny dude hahaha, i mean:
"He adds that the study "shows that if you play four hours a day of Animal Crossing, you’re a much happier human being, but that’s only interesting because all of the other research before this is done so badly.""
Come on, i like this guy haha
@johnvboy That was my positivity mode showing....cynical is for topics less totes adorbs.
@NEStalgia,
To be honest I did think you were being far to positive about all this, just wanted to bring you back down to earth a little.
@johnvboy LOL, yeah, sometimes I get kinda carried away
@NEStalgia,
Too much happiness can be a bad thing fella, good job Nintendo life's article comment sections are here to balance things up a little, if you are interested there is a classic bait article on here.
Poll: Pokémon Sword And Shield Launched A Year Ago, Has Your Opinion On Them Changed?
Should bring you back to normal, I live for these types of comment sections.
oh so that explain, why i fell so well when i play my Animal Crossing New Horizons.
Anyone who paints video gaming in a negative light without any scientific data/research to back it up is not to be trusted.
@johnvboy LOL! Sometimes I like to just shout "GameFreak!" in a crowded room and race for the exits. For some reason it doesn't actually have an effect unless it's on this website though. People don't even seem to start eating each other.... It's kind of underwhelming, really.
@Bermanator
You mean this cat , i mean Maid Raymond ? 😂
@Bermanator you dont need to fantasize, you can already do it in game!
@ChaosBadger777 seems like you tried to rush your time with the game when it works better in a slower pace without the pressure to get everything done immediately. my friend burnt out on AC quickly when they only wanted to complete the museum, and stressed out over spawn rates and randomized fossils cause of it
but that also shows that the game isnt for everyone, AC can be a timesink and some people just have other stuff to do
@boxyguy It's still gross.
@Bermanator eh it looks more silly than gross to me, and hard for me to find the "serious business cat wears maid outfit" meme nasty when nothing looks risque about it to begin with. if anything the dress covers up more of him
@LatsaSpege I play Doom on Ultraviolence or Nightmare when I want to relax. Playing a difficult game helps me forget about anything but the task at hand.
I must admit during the first lockdown Animal Crossing kept me sane
@boxyguy Oooh trust me. They weren't doing it for laughs. This isn't SpongeBob wearing one then taking it off.
@johnvboy That Pokemon comment section - wow. So many unread rants. They're not doing themselves much good carrying on like that. I like to have games that make me smile and laugh, so when you put the controller down and carry on with your day you feel like you've enjoyed yourself. They didn't call them amusement arcades for nothing.
Luigi's Mansion 3 had me laughing a lot. BOTW has loads of comedy elements. Final Fight the first time I played it in the arcade had me laughing and I still love to go back to it...ARMS had me laughing too.
@WiltonRoots,
Now some are suggesting there should be no response to their complaints, won't happen I can tell you, it's one of my favorite hobbies.
@johnvboy They're too easy a target to wind up methinks. I mean they went into a meltdown in an article about office furniture the other day. The slightest prod and you'll get three paragraphs.
@WiltonRoots,
Don't get me started on office furniture, I have been a fan of it since it was first launched, if they think they can make new items that I do not like, I will not be happy, they seem to be ignoring older fans like me and making stuff for kids...Oh the cheek of it.
Animal Crossing is good for my mental health? Looks like I need to pick it up and play it soon
@Bermanator well some people probably just think it looks cute
@Ttimer5 I hope that you read this, I'd like to chat more about how you feel about mental health and video games, I Too am writing a research paper and i have the opposing argument, I think that all video games are bad, Please contact me and I'd love to have a chat about this, as I want to further my validity and strengthen my counterarguments to your point, thank you
@jaysonstone,
Quick, get to a Pokemon Sword and Shield comment section, there will be lots of people that agree with video games are bad.
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