Video Games Are Good for You?
If you remember the early 2000s with GameBoy Advance and Nintendo DS, you’ll remember how popular Pokemon was at the time. Playing Pokemon was my first, and only, real experience with gaming growing up.
Sure, I played karaoke and racing games with friends but I didn’t follow a story that kept me engaged until Pokemon. Once I got to high school, the narrative of how wasteful video games are slowly got in my head. Anytime I tried to play anything, even a quick game of MarioKart, I would feel so guilty playing that it wasn’t even fun anymore.
Most modern entertainment is seen as a time suck. You’re lazy and unmotivated if you watch TV, movies, social media, or play video games. If you’re not reading or making money- you’re a waste of space.
While this isn’t actually true, it certainly feels this way when you tell anyone what you’ve been up to.
Benefits of Video Games on Writing and Content Creation
So I found this article on the benefits of playing video games which highlights improved memory, decision making, problem solving, mood, and social skills. When it comes to creating content, written or otherwise, strengthening any of those skills can have a massively positive effect on your work.
Plus, video games with solid storytelling can teach you a lot about how to stay engaged when it comes to creating content. Games that can keep players engaged for hours and hours for months is a huge feat, especially in this day and age.
When it comes to the TV show/book I am working on, Wizard 101 has allowed me to access that creative part of my brain even when I am not actively writing.
Another article states that gamers have stronger multitasking skills than non gamers. Gamers are able to make decisions faster and accomplish skills more efficiently than non gamers.
Also, I did not know that GEICO has a website called GEICO Living but they also have an article on the benefits of gaming where they site that gaming helps improve brain connectivity and gray matter in the brain.
Side Note: My Memory Is Garbage
To end this long spiel on my newfound love for playing MMOs like Wizard 101, I have discovered how much they can help improve your overall memory, impulsivity, and dexterity.
My memory is garbage and has been steadily decreasing over the years. I’ve tried playing memory games and brain based apps that boast improving brain activity but the problem is those games are so BORING. Painfully boring.
Games like Wizard 101 and Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild have brain games built into the mechanics of the story. You cannot “win” or succeed in the game without solving riddles, puzzles, and deciphering dialogue.
A well designed game with strong mechanics force you to problem solve and bounce back from failure. When you’re gaming, you will fail a lot. Even really strong veteran players will struggle which helps you grow a thicker skin. Personally, my biggest learning curve has been around coming back to the game when I have continuously failed.
Summary
At the end of the day, everything comes down to balance. If you never leave your room and play video games for 20 hours a day then yeah, it’s going to be a problem.
What I am taking away from my first week of serious gaming is that my overall interest in content creation has been on an all time high. I have been struggling to make videos on my TikTok which has my largest following on a platform. Suddenly, I have so much to talk about and share after weeks of nothing coming to mind.
I will keep checking back and see if this becomes a regular thing in my life.
Regarding my book, I’ve been editing again and felt stoked to sit down to write. The only problem I have run into is I have so many ideas coming to me that I feel mildly overwhelmed.
As always, I will keep you posted. If you have any suggestions for other fun games to play, please share them!
See you next week,
Mac
Wizard101 is the best!!