Oxford researchers have extensively explored how video games influence a person’s psychophysical state. In a large-scale study, nearly 40,000 gamers were interviewed to understand potential links between gaming and health outcomes, and the findings show no association between gaming and ill health, according to VG Times. The researchers concluded that playing video games does not impair overall health or life satisfaction, and it does not worsen well-being or emotional states. The only negative factor identified was the amount of time spent sitting while gaming, which can impact the psycho-emotional state of players. The study also found that the overall number of players did not correlate with changes in how they felt, provided those individuals played because they genuinely enjoyed the activity, rather than forced engagement. According to VG Times.
In the course of the research, researchers offered participants projects that didn’t include every game genre. For instance, MOBAs were not part of the evaluation list. The portfolio included Animal Crossing: New Horizons, Legends of the Top, Eve Online, Forza Horizon 4, Gran Turismo Sport, The Crew 2, and Outsiders, among others. The intent was to assess a diverse set of experiences rather than to generalize about gaming as a single activity. According to VG Times.
Earlier findings from another research team suggested that the sexualization of female characters in games does not harm gamers. These observations contribute to a broader discussion about the relationship between media representation and player well-being. According to VG Times.
Source: VG Times