List of Benefits Regarding Gaming and Esports

Contrary to popular belief, gaming has started to reveal benefits that the public is becoming gradually aware of. With the popularity of esports recently, the list of benefits in the gaming industry is now considered aplenty. We will be talking about 10 benefits that can be categorized under health, critical thinking abilities as well as job-related aspects.

Under health, we have the overall benefits of gaming on the body, mind, as well as on hand-eye coordination, to name a few.

Health

Lower Stress Levels

Lower stress levels could be considered the main factor as to why many are hooked onto gaming. Known to be a great way to relieve stress and escape from the reality of deadlines, gaming provides us with an outlet to let our bodies and minds destress. Gaming is very similar to hobbies; fundamentally an activity that provides us with pleasure and gives us a break from the ongoing stress we are facing in life. One way to further enhance this benefit is by using good gaming equipment, like https://www.razer.com/gaming-mice for gamers who tend to play for long hours on end.

Brain

Besides that, gaming also benefits our brain, Research has shown that through gaming, the Prefrontal Cortex, the Right Hippocampus, and the Cerebellum make great areas of improvement within the brain. This means that our ability to analyze and interact with objects will increase accordingly when we spend time gaming. Navigating 3D worlds will also allow the Right Hippocampus to grow, which is where information is processed and calibrated. Studies also showed that gaming can definitely help to slow and suppress the effects of aging.

Eyesight

Gaming also benefits our eyesight. A study done showed that people who gamed in First Person Shooter (FPS) games perceived color contrast better, and could distinguish different shades of colors better. It also helps that serious competitive gamers invest in a huge gaming monitor. Who needs glasses after that?

If you are not a competitive gamer and find the sitting down lifestyle too unhealthy, a solution is to use a standing gaming setup; This will aid in burning calories and improving your posture.

Hand-eye Coordination

Lastly, regarding health benefits, gaming has been proven to improve hand-eye coordination. This will not come as a surprise as gaming requires excellent asymmetrical hand-eye coordination. This means that gamers should be able to simultaneously juggle various actions on each hand, and they have to monitor the screen at the same time. Therefore, competitive gamers who start gaming from a very young age have managed to acquire the required hand-eye coordination and reaction timing over many years.

Critical Thinking

Under Critical Thinking, we will be discussing problem-solving and increased memory capacity.

Critical thinking can be considered an expected benefit of gaming, as gaming requires one to absorb a tremendous amount of information, process it, and use it to make decisions. This is always done in the blink of an eye, hence your brain has to work fast and logically enough. The most important cognitive ability of gaming is to make smart decisions intuitively; whether that is which d2r runewords to use to build your character in Diablo 2, or what move to make next to help win in a game of chess. Some of these decisions will be carried forward to real-life situations. For example, the habits you cultivate while driving in-game can be displayed in real-life circumstances.

Next, we will talk about Problem Solving. In the most basic sense, gaming starts with a problem that you are required to solve. In esports, the problem occurs right when the match begins and the end goal is solving the said problem. Therefore, gaming will inevitably improve your problem-solving skills as you are working to solve consecutive problems within a stressful environment, Gaming also enables you to practice thinking ahead, which allows you to prevent future problems. Esports as well as competitive gaming, bring problem-solving to another level as there is the added pressure of being judged and fighting for an end title. In some way, competitive gaming also allows you to learn how to deal with self-esteem and confidence issues.

A small benefit revolves around increased memory capacity. With regards to memory, it is a known fact that in competitive gaming, the gamer has to memorize the game inside out in order to lord over your opponent. Hence, the more information you remember, the better you will perform in games.

Job Opportunity

Under Job Opportunity, we will be discussing esports scholarships, esports in high schools, industry jobs related to esports, as well as real-life job opportunities associated with esports.

Esports Scholarships

Did you know that esports scholarships are becoming increasingly popular? Of course, this means that you have to have a position on the college varsity sports team in order to receive the scholarship. Currently, varsity esports teams are even offering full-ride scholarships, a far cry from last time, where most had never even come across the term.

Esports in high schools

There are also opportunities for esports in high schools. There are now gaming clubs associated with competitive gaming whereby players train to compete among leagues. Similar to any extracurricular activity in school, gamers are provided the opportunity to hone their skills related to discipline, communication as well as goal setting.

Since esports is still fairly new and just entering the market, schools that show support and promote esports will have the potential to receive high media exposure, as well as more publicity. This will also bring forth more revenue if the high schools gain attention from big sponsors in the gaming industry.

Industry Jobs

With regard to industry jobs, there are a plethora of jobs available in the gaming industry. Employment opportunities include becoming a social media or event manager, a sponsor, or a coach, and even a journalist. Having prior experience in competitive gaming will definitely put you at another level as besides networking with similar people; you will already be equipped with a well-rounded understanding and perspective of the esports industry, which is greatly appreciated.

Not forgetting real-life job opportunities, efficient communication is one skillset you will have attained from competitive gaming, which can be brought forward in any job.

Conclusion

After what we have learned about the many benefits competitive gaming and esports can bring forth, one word of advice to aspiring competitive gamers would be to continue just as they are doing so. There is no lack of advantages when you are a competitive gamer and especially with it being a market that is gaining exposure, what better time to try your hand at it rather than the present?