Last Updated on August 10, 2023 by sourav sahu
Gaming is big business. Ever since the first arcade machines found their way into American garages and bowling alleys, it’s been a pastime activity that’s been enjoyed by all types of gamers.
However, in the last couple of decades, advancement in gaming technology has made some pretty outlandish claims about the effects video games have on your brain and your body.
And these myths can be pretty misleading. I will try to debunk some of them and show you how most of the “facts” that are presented are not facts at all.
Video games cause players to become more violent
Video games cause gamers to become more violent has long been one of the biggest myths about gaming.
There have been numerous attempts at discerning whether exposure to violent video games leads to aggressive behavior among gamers or not. And the studies have yielded mixed results.
However, in a recent study of over 2,000 teenagers, reportedly, there was no proof that playing violent games led teens to become more aggressive or any less social.
The connection between video game violence and actual violence isn’t a viable link to make based on the evidence currently available on the subject.
Gaming is a waste of time
This couldn’t be farther from the truth. Gaming does not have to be a waste of time. And if you play games the right way and for the right reasons, then gaming can, in fact, be beneficial to your life.
For one, gaming has earning potential if you play well. There are eSports professional gamers who make anything from $1,000 to $5,000 monthly.
You just have to invest in the best processor for gaming to be able to game professionally and start earning by gaming.
You can also consider live streaming on YouTube and Twitch to increase your income potential.
No one wants to see in-game ads
A common grapevine is that people don’t want to see ads in their games. However, the reality may be a bit different. It’s simply a case of lousy implementation on the developer’s side, not an unwillingness on behalf of the gamer.
On the contrary, there are rewarded video ads initiated by the user that provide them with in-app rewards, such as in-app currency or premium content. In fact, in the US alone, 74% of mobile gamers are willing to view an in-game ad, provided they get in-app benefits in return.
Also, 82% of mobile gamers prefer free mobile games with advertisements rather than paid mobile games without any ads.
Gamers are all male
The gaming industry is certainly not the place for males only — although it seems that way sometimes. Indeed, there are many female gamers too. And there is an exponential rise in female gamers around the world.
In fact, in 2019, 46% of all computer and video gamers were female in the US.
Only young people play video games
No, video games are not played exclusively by the young generation anymore.
There are misconceptions that games like Call of Duty are played only by tech-savvy millennials. But the truth is, people of all ages enjoy gaming.
In fact, 2021 statistics suggest that 7% of video gamers in the US are 65 years and older.
The market for video games is primarily targeted at children
Though mostly only kids used to play video games in the past, more and more contemporary games are hitting the market with 18+ ratings. In fact, a considerable percentage of the console and PC market is exclusive to ages 18 or older.
There are also video games that are rated for Adults Only.
Gamers are often stereotyped as being antisocial and awkward. They are perceived as people whose hobbies of computer games or online games make them addicted to electronic gadgets, playing games online, and ignoring others.
However, a study that surveyed more than 2000 teenagers proved it otherwise. The study found out that gaming does not make teenagers more aggressive or any less social.
Gaming isolates people
Many people think that gaming isolates people and that people who play video games are anti-social. But just because people believe it to be accurate doesn’t make things so.
If anything, many online games revolve around online collaboration, conversation, and real-life connections. And there is a discernible rise of multi-player games, such as Among Us and Call of Duty, that let people play, collaborate, and socialize with other games worldwide.
Gaming can hamper mental health and well-being
A lot of people tend to think that gaming itself can contribute to mental health problems or worsen them. But these claims seem preposterous.
If anything, gaming can provide an excellent way to relax or a way to wind down after a hard day.
In a study, 78% of gamers said that playing games provided them with a form of stress relief and relaxation. And 79% said that gaming offered them mental stimulation.
The same study demonstrates that 164 million adults in the US alone enjoy playing video games. So the belief that gaming can hamper mental health and well-being is nothing but a myth.
Games only have negative themes
While some games seem to have negative themes, they also have a more profound message.
Take Gears of War 3, for example. On the surface, it appears as if gory and bloodshed are the only themes surrounding the game. But at its heart, the game narrates the story of a father and son.
Similarly, if you dig deeper, a lot of games with seemingly negative themes will turn out to have a positive, meaningful message.
Wrapping-Up
There are a lot of myths about gaming, so we busted some of the most common ones in this article.
The copious amount of myths, misinformation, and generalizations about gaming have three adverse effects: they drain the energy and resources of gamers, they stigmatize gaming and marginalize gamers, and they can lead to an unwillingness to address problematic gaming behavior.
