Recently, perception and attitude towards video games have improved remarkably. Formerly seen as mere amusements, video games are now increasingly appreciated for their ability to drive positive change in society.
Instead of simply entertaining people, games can dramatically be used to fight different social challenges in our communities and be a tool of relentless scientific research. For example, escape room games assist players in improving their cognitive abilities, practicing motor skills, and mastering teamwork.
Distinct games may also offer players other benefits. This article examines different ways in which gaming is having a positive impact on society.
-
Educational Games:
Education is definitely one of the most remarkable and significant ways through which the video games help the society. In recent years the popularity of educational games grows as the more efficient way to teach different subjects, in particular math and science, history and language.
Various schools have started using various games including, “Minecraft: “Education Edition” to promote creativity, collaboration and problem-solving skills among the students in the classroom in a fun and engaging way. Also, the games “The Oregon Trail” and “Civilization” are like real history and strategy in that they teach these subjects in a fun and interactive way.
-
Health and Wellness:
Video games are increasingly being used to attract people and promote health and wellness efforts. “Pokémon GO” is known for its exploration of the environment and encouragement of physical activity through the catching of virtual creatures.
Besides that, the phenomenon also increased the number of times people moved and created a sense of belonging in the gaming community as players joined forces to overcome in-game hurdles. Another interesting topic is the rising popularity of exergaming, where players exercise while playing a video game, such as virtual reality games like “Beat Saber” or “BoxVR.”
-
Social Impact Games:
Social impact games are games that are meant to address social issues and to encourage empathy and understanding among those who play them. Games like “That Never Ending Story” and “Papers, Please” are games that deal with issues like illness and immigration, respectively, providing players with an experience for thinking and reflecting.
Moreover, there are also festivals like Games for Change, a program that spotlights games meant to inspire change and educate about issues like climate change and human rights. Further, they also help to raise awareness of such important issues among gamers.
-
Therapeutic Applications:
Video games have been a therapeutic tool for those who are dealing with physical and mental health problems. Healthcare coaching is more frequently using interactive games designed to empower people to follow the prescribed care and quicken and make the recovery process easier.
For instance, virtual reality simulations are developed to aid in overcoming various phobias and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). At the same time, gaming utilities transform into cognitive training platforms, with “Brain Age” being a prominent example of improving memory and concentration.
-
Crowdsourced Scientific Research:
Video game players are also doing their bit for science by contributing to scientific research through crowdsourcing programs inside video games. Games such as “Foldit” and “EVE Online Project Discovery” allow the players to solve scientific problems they never imagined by jumping on the benefits of their analytical skills and perception.
Such games channel the cumulative wisdom of gamers from every part of the universe to become involved in handling problems. It falls in many academic disciplines, including biochemistry, astronomy, and climate science, to increase the speed of scientific experiments.
-
Community Building and Social Connections:
Online gaming communities are the sources of friendships and social connections for people from different parts of the world. In Multiplayer games, players can participate in group activities. This can help them improve collaboration, teamwork, and friendship development, which strengthens their ability to be social and build relationships with others.
Besides the many moments of social withdrawal, e.g., during the COVID-19 pandemic, gaming online platforms represented essential spaces for social and recreational interaction. Additionally, these spaces allowed people to stay in touch with their loved ones through physical distancing.
-
Environmental Awareness and Conservation:
Video games are becoming more and more popular in the ways they are used to inform the public about environmental problems and to encourage conservation. Games like “Fate of the World” and “SimCity” are sophisticated examples of choice-based policy play, which imitates the consequences of environmental choices.
Additionally, it allows players to investigate the effects of their decisions on ecosystems and societies. Moreover, the “PlayApartTogether” campaign and other initiatives also involve gamers in environmental activism by organizing in-game events and challenges focused on sustainability and biodiversity conservation.
Conclusion:
The transformation of video games from the merest leisure to the mightiest tools for social development is impressive evidence of their multifaceted and influential nature. Games are leaving a lasting and tangible impact on everything from education to health and wellness initiatives, games for social impact, therapeutics, and crowdsourcing science research on the community and our coming together as a society.
With the progress of technology and the growth of the gaming industry like in escape room games, the possibilities of video games to handle social problems and promote positive change are vast. Since gaming provides the user with an immersive and interactive experience, we can use this platform timelessly to build a better world.