The impact of video games: what are the positive effects?

Video games have long been an integral part of our culture, and have become a major form of entertainment. Although they sometimes remain controversial, their usefulness continues to evolve, and some even contribute to the advancement of society. The impact of video games on players is many and varied.

Impact of video games on mental health

A study by Oxford researchers, based on the games Animal Crossing and Plant vs Zombies, shows that one of the impacts of games is toimprove mental health. The researchers found that the time spent playing and the experiences gained during play have a positive impact on mental health, thanks in particular to the social bond created between players.

This study is supported by a survey from HyperX in the UK, which reveals that during the health crisis, more than half of teenagers aged 13-18 used video games to stay connected with their friends. Parents also believe that this leisure activity has helped preserve their children’s mental health.

Games to support organizations

During the Z Event charity event, which lasted over fifty-four hours, some thirty popular video game personalities took turns in front of the event’s cameras to compete in multiplayer games, taking on various challenges, organizing performances, or simply chatting on camera with their community of fans. The aim was to raise as many donations as possible for a charity.

This year, the charity event raised over 5.7 million euros for the NGO Amnesty International. This is a record for an event of this type.

Emmanuel Macron even praised the event on Twitter!

#ZEVENT2020, you can be proud! Proud to have raised more than 5.7 million euros (a record!) for human rights with Amnesty. Proud to have shown that by standing together, we can achieve great things. Let’s nurture this unity! https://t.co/GuGHzlAUAy

– Emmanuel Macron (@EmmanuelMacron) October 18, 2020

Almost five months after Z Event, SpeeDons launched a similar marathon, bringing together almost fifty streamers within the walls of the AccorHotels Arena in Paris. The event raised over €610,000 for Médecins du Monde. It consisted of a series of speedruns, i.e. completing a game as quickly as possible. Players could either play alone, or with others in competitive mode.

Very recently, as part of the Sidaction fund-raising campaign, a hundred game players and streamers took part in a three-day charity live event on the Twitch platform. The event, called “Gaming for Sidaction”, was organized by the Chœur de Gamers association. It brought together some of the biggest names in video gaming, along the lines of the Z Event.

We are proud to announce the #GamingForSidaction event in partnership with and for the benefit of the @Sidaction association! See you March 26-28, 2021 on @TwitchFR ❤ pic.twitter.com/8jMojewvfK

– 💗 Choeur de Gamers & Co’ 💗 (@choeurdegamers) March 19, 2021

The impact of video games on science: advancing scientific research

Video games play a key role in scientific research, enabling players to actively contribute to discoveries. Foldit is the best-known example, where players tackle protein folding to advance biology.

Thanks to this collaboration, major advances have been made, such as solving the folding of the HIV-related protein in monkeys, a challenge that had eluded scientists for 10 years. Other games, such as EteRNA and EyeWire, follow this model, allowing players to solve scientific puzzles linked to RNA and neurons.

These games show how gamification can accelerate research, with concrete impacts for science and society, such as Foldit ‘s initiative to fight coronavirus.

Video games to raise awareness

Video games don’t just advance research or support mental health causes, they also play a key role in raising awareness of important societal issues.

The United Nations (UN) has created the game Reset Earth to raise awareness of the need to protect the ozone layer. Available on mobile, this game plunges players into a post-apocalyptic world in 2084, where the disappearance of the ozone layer and a virus threaten humanity. The aim is to travel back in time to fight the virus and secure the signing of the Montreal Protocol to save the planet.

Roots of Tomorrow to understand agroecology

At Gamabilis, we’ve created Roots of Tomorrow, a game that lets you play the role of a farmer and manage a farm.

You’ll have to make decisions to make the farm profitable while leading a transition to agroecology in less than 10 years, with economic, environmental, social and health objectives to meet.

The aim is to raise players’ awareness of agroecology and the day-to-day realities of farming. The game is currently in production, and the first beta version will be available at the end of April.

Join our Facebook community to keep up to date with the game.