Do Video Games make you clever?
I was researching an article on the history of Video Games recently; I began my research with Wikipedia and noticed in passing a few lines about the benefits of games. Apparently, it is pretty much confirmed that game playing can improve concentration and resistance to distraction and that some games can improve dexterity it seems. A study of laparoscopic surgeons (the ones who do surgery through small incisions) showed faster work and fewer errors among the habitual game players. Then of course, most aircraft and some armoured fighting vehicles have their training simulators, and are they much more than Microsoft Flight Simulator on a big screen, with movement, and higher costs?
the classic on rail shooter returns
However, whilst it seems that many studies have confirmed superior mental aptitudes among regular Video Games players no study has shown much difference between the aptitudes of Xbox, Playstation, and Nintendo or PC games players. A study at the University of Illinois had non-game playing people assessed before and after 20 hours, playing games and saw no improvement in memory or multitasking abilities. The researchers suggested that those with superior abilities are more likely to play games in the first place. I feel that these researchers may have been gamers trying to make themselves look naturally smart. Most gamers will have played hundreds or thousands of hours of many more types of game, the total of 20 hours with three games seems too little. So do games make you clever? Well I think the jury is still out on this one.