Games are wonderful. They bring people together, they inspire creativity and they teach valuable skills. Despite these boons, there has always been a stereotypical image of the hardcore gamer: aggressive, socially awkward, and eyes so fixed to the action they almost touch the monitor.
Some argue that gaming induces negative stress and promotes aggressive behaviour, but recent research doesn’t always substantiate this claim. Not all gaming experiences are the same, and evidence suggests there’s more to gaming than we initially thought.
The Aggression Narrative
Violent games, in particular, have been studied extensively over the years. Back in the early 2000s, my brother’s obsession with Grand Theft Auto was a huge worry for my parents. Despite their concerns, he never did turn to a life of crime. Because many action games require you to think quickly as you fight for your character’s life, the idea that they can potentially trigger the stress-inducing fight-or-flight responses seems fair. Intense action sequences increase cardiac coherence (the synchronisation of the rhythm of breathing to the rhythm of the heart), and have been shown to result in higher levels of subsequent aggression.
Changes and disturbances in vocal responses often indicate emotional stress. By analysing the participants’ voices before and after violent gameplay, one study showed that 20 minutes was enough to increase vocal stress. Other researchers have claimed that there might be a positive correlation between stress and gaming but have dismissed claims of increased hostility and aggression.
The Other Side
In 1998, a study published in the scientific journal Nature argued that playing video games can actually help release dopamine, the feel-good neurotransmitter hormone, and it’s no surprise that most people play video games because they’re fun.
The argument here is honest and incredibly simple: Gaming feels good, and the responses it triggers in your body can be positive. In the same way that any activity requiring raised levels of energy or concentration can be fun for a short period of time; racing a go-kart, playing a board game or even working hard to hit a deadline; it’s when these kinds of activities are forced for extended periods of time that ‘fun stress’ becomes ‘bad stress’. It’s this which can lead to a significant cardiovascular response, raising your cortisol levels and causing all sorts of problems. Heightened alertness keeps you alert and engaged as you’re trying to complete a challenging—yet fun—task.
Besides, not all games need be stressful. Take, for example, classic point-and-click adventures such as Lord Winklebottom Investigates. The thrill and the mystery are there, without all the blood and gore. Growbot is another example of an engaging adventure game that rejects violence, drawing you in with its beautiful artwork, unique story, and of course, challenging puzzles.
Environmental narrative games (aka walking simulators) offer slower-paced gameplay, allowing players to fully immerse themselves into the story without having to fight for their life. Non-combat narrative-focused gameplay has been with us for a while but titles such as Firewatch, The Stanley Parable, and Gone Home exposed the genre to a broader audience.
Our own Ghost on the Shore takes players on an adventure across atmospheric settings, on a quest to discover long-lost secrets. You play as Riley, a young woman stranded on a desolate island, determined to make sense of what’s happened by engaging with the environment around her. It’s an enthralling story, but you don’t need to always be on the edge of your seat to enjoy it—and that’s part of the charm.
These are just some examples of how gaming can be a relaxing experience. A 2019 National Institute of Health study found evidence pointing toward a positive correlation between gaming and reduced symptoms associated with depression. However, it also suggested that playing violent video games can cause sudden spikes in adrenaline.
Research has also shown that video games could potentially:
Making the Most of It
We know that games are fun, but there are always risks to consider. But not all games are the same, and they don’t all trigger the same responses. Playing games for a long period of time doesn’t necessarily have the same result each time around. Niklas Johannes et al. collaborated with Electronic Arts and Nintendo, sharing valuable data they obtained as they surveyed players playing Plants vs. Zombies and Animal Crossing. They claim that:
“Contrary to many fears that excessive playtime will lead to addiction and poor mental health, we found a small positive relation between gameplay and affective well-being.”
Does that mean we can get the best of both worlds with a more relaxed, laid-back approach to gaming? Casual, narrative-focused gaming might offer enough thrill without the adverse effects of violent gameplay.