Previously, many people had bad prejudices against gaming, but recent studies show that playing games regularly has a very good effect on health.

Over the past time, the whole world has been greatly affected by the Covid-19 epidemic, which has slowed down travel and trade. Under such circumstances, many people choose video games as entertainment. It was during this time that scientists of the Oxford Internet Institute at Oxford University unraveled the surprising benefits of video games on personal health.

The research content focuses on two games namely Animal Crossing: New Horizons and Plants vs. Zombies: Battle for Neighborville. A farm care strategy game and a classic goalkeeping game.

The Oxford University study is the first with a new approach. This method collects accurate video play time data from the game manufacturers themselves, as opposed to self-reporting from gamers.

Professor Andrew Przybylski, Research Director at the Oxford Internet Institute and lead author of the study, said the scientists worked directly with Electronic Arts and Nintendo of America to be able to incorporate expertise in the research.

Through access to people’s playtime data, we may for the first time investigate the relationship between video game behavior and their health. This allows us to do a detailed study of the effects of video games on players’ mental health.

In total, 3,274 players participated in this study, consisting of 518 players Plants vs. Zombies and 2,756 players of Animal Crossing. Gamers were asked how they feel about their experience with the game.

Scientists have found, through research, that if you play video games for four hours a day, you can say that you feel significantly happier than those who don’t. Video players, in addition to being mentally comfortable, are less irritable, handling situations more quickly and calmly than non-gamers.

However, if you play these games because you feel compelled or because others around you are playing it, you won’t feel any happier. These studies also show that video games help promote social connections in times of disease.

Professor Andrew Przybylski also added that the Oxford Internet Institute will expand research to advise developers of games that are beneficial to players’ health in the future.