Gaming

Gaming is a misunderstood pastime that is frequently blamed for the acts of violence that we see across the world, such as public shootings. But experts agree that while video games might increase the tendency for violence in those already suffering from a mental illness, overall, they are nothing more than just a means of entertainment.

In fact, some scientists have discovered that gaming has a number of beneficial effects on children that play regularly and can even improve their lives in the future.

The Main Physical Benefits

• Motor Control and Refinement

Playing video games often means having to hone your motor skills, making them precise as possible, and this can have a major impact on our work lives.

One study found that surgeons who regularly played video games on a regular basis were 27 perfect faster and made fewer mistakes than those that didn’t play games at all.

• Better Vision

While it’s true that too much time in front of a screen can cause long-term damage to a person’s vision, there are some benefits that can be gained for those that spend a healthy amount of time playing games.

Some of these include better object focus, an easier time finding an item, better night driving, and improved reading skills.

• Cravings

Sugary and refined snacks are a favourite of most people and contribute to the alarming obesity levels we’re seeing in many countries around the world. Studies have shown that those that played video games had a 24 percent reduction in their desire to snack on unhealthy foods, cutting back on their cravings and allowing for a healthier lifestyle.

The types of games didn’t really matter, meaning that you can benefit from playing your favourite online gambling casino or puzzle and problem solving games.

The Main Mental Benefits

• Better Memory

According to a study done by the University of California, playing 3D games leads to a boost in the part of the brain associated with memory, leading to better memory retention later on in life.

This can also prove beneficial to those suffering from certain brain-related conditions, such as dementia.

• Improved Cognitive Functionality

Another study found that regularly playing video games forces the brain to tackle a number of tasks at any given time.

The extra brainpower can be healthy, leading to improved cognitive function and a better ability to tackle tasks in the future.

• An Interest in Technology

All games are played on some type of technology, such as a desktop, console, or smartphone. The increased time spent with these technologies often leads to children developing a keen interest on technology, potentially increasing their chances of entering a tech field later on in life.

This can range from computer scientists to IT technicians, all important roles for our modern society.

• Better Social Skills

While sitting at home playing video games might not seem extremely social, many modern multiplayer games allow for communication between thousands of different people.

This can lead to improved sociability, and a higher tolerance for different types of people.

To read more on topics like this, check out the gaming category.

When consoles first entered the gaming world, they were hailed as the future of video gaming, and they reigned as kings of the industry for decades. Eventually, both desktop and laptop computers became cheaper and more widespread, allowing people to choose the kind of setup for their gaming needs. It quickly turned into an infamous online war between console and PC gamers, one that still wages to this day.

If you’re looking at buying yourself a brand-new gaming setup, there are several options to choose from, but they ultimately boil down to three main options: Desktop, Laptop, or Console.

Desktop

Desktops have surged in popularity in recent years, and most gamers that prefer the highest performance possible tend to opt for a desktop.

The Pros:

• Upgrading: Desktop components can be swapped out fairly easily and quickly.
• Long-term: They tend to be cheaper in the long run, when calculating the total cost of games and upgrades.
• Games: Access to a huge range of different games, many more than what is offered by most consoles.
• Repair: Extremely easy to fix.
• Highest FPS potential.

The Cons:

• Initial Expense: Desktops can be the most expensive to get running.
• No portability: Not portable at all, bulky, and needs a full desk.
• Upgrading: Upgrading can be fairly expensive.

Laptops

While functionally the same as desktops, laptops provide a wholly different gaming experience, and are best suited for those that want to continue to play their favourite games while travelling. A bit like an iPad only more feature filled, laptops may well be the perfect in-betweener.

The Pros:

• Portable: laptops are the ultimate choice when it comes to portable gaming, making them ideal for work, playing Aussie pokies games online, and many other functions
• Battery: The integrated battery means that a laptop doesn’t stop working if the power goes out.
• Price: Laptops can be expensive but tend to be less expensive than equivalent desktops.

The Cons:

• Less powerful: Laptops tend to be less powerful overall compared to desktops.
• Cooling: The tight fit means that cooling can be an issue.
• Upgrades: Upgrading a laptop can be difficult and depends entirely on the model.
• Repairs: Any major damage to a laptop can be very costly to fix.

Consoles

While not as popular as they once were, consoles still control a sizeable portion of the gaming market. They’re a favourite among those that want a plug-and-play setup for their living room.

The Pros:

• Price: The initial starting price of a console tends to be cheaper than the other two.
• Ease of Use: Console are deigned to be easy to use and require no additional hardware apart from a television.
• Exclusives: Many consoles come with gaming exclusives not available to the PC market.
• Split-Screen Gaming: Consoles are a good choice for those that want to play games with friends and family.

The Cons:

• Cost of Games: Console games are fairly expensive, especially when taking Steam Sales into account.
• Upgrades: There are no real, commercially viable ways to upgrade a console.
• FPS Locks: Many laptops cannot run the same frames per second as a regular desktop.

To read more on topics like this, check out the gaming category.