Video games. If you are an avid gamer yourself, then you know the excitement and joy that comes with playing your favorite game. In fact, many gamers decide they love the interactive entertainment so much that they not only want to play — they want to create! Video game programming and design can be an incredible outlet for bringing both coding and creativity to life, while providing a source of entertainment that truly helps people. Yes, you read that correctly — video games can help people. Read on to learn how.

Improves brain function

Scientific research has discovered that video games improve brain function. According to research published in Frontiers in Human Neuroscience, partaking in video games increases attentiveness in several different areas — including sustained attention. Additionally, the same study found that gamers are more efficient in general attention activities, which can positively impact one’s day-to-day life.

Relieves stress

You’ve had a long, stressful day at work or school and to you, nothing beats sitting down and playing Call of Duty or World of Warcraft. It’s vital in our modern society to have an outlet to destress, and video games are a perfect medium to let the problems of the real world melt away. A Dale TV survey showed that 55 percent of gamers agree with that assessment. Additionally, 47 percent of respondents in the same survey believe playing games positively affects their lives. That sounds like a win-win.

Opens a cool career path

If you decide to get into a career making amazing games, you may even inspire MORE people to seek a career making amazing games too — and the cycle of creativity continues on! It’s natural for those playing video games to wonder, “how do these games work?” That curiosity can lead to an amazing career in coding, and that’s just the beginning. When one decides to venture into the world of coding, a host of career opportunities opens. From software development to computer programming to business intelligence analysis, coding provides you the tools to opt for a rewarding career in just about any industry. To think, this can all begin from playing video games.

Promotes social skills

According to the American Psychological Association (APA), video games of all genres may positively affect children’s social skills in addition to boosting their learning and health. But beyond science, those of us in the know, understand that video games are a social event. You sign online and interact with others and even learn how to interact as a team.

Video games are great for entertainment but as we have just learned, they can also positively impact people’s lives. Whether it helps you relieve stress or leads to an amazing career, video games are incredible.