PC hardware manufacturer stresses importance of gamer health

Computer hardware and accessory brand AOC has published a ‘benefits of gaming’ guide as it stresses the importance of health for gamers.

The company said it ‘keenly promotes responsible and healthy gaming’ and has produced the guide to mention the social and cognitive benefits that gaming can offer.

“While there are many studies about the different positive aspects about gaming, AOC emphasises and promotes responsible gaming,” AOC said in a statement. “It is vitally important that computer use forms part of a balanced and healthy life. Spending time outside, playing sports and being with friends are all equally important.”

This stance is in line with the British Esports Association’s content, and the emphasis on playing esports as part of a balanced and healthy lifestyle.

For more advice and information on our website, read our exercise, sleep and dietary information for esports players, and info and guidelines on how often gamers should practice.

Top 4 benefits of gaming

Four of AOC’s benefits are as follows:

1. Cognitive abilities

Most games stimulate memory, attention span and logical thinking. Even gaming just a few hours a week can make a difference regardless of age.

Real-Time-Strategy(RTS) games for example can enhance these abilities, as the player needs to analyse the situation against their rivals, plan ahead for an attack/defense or any advantage, remember rivals’ actions and make counteractions, all this in a constricted time.

2. Decision making

Playing videogames can help improve decision-making skills. While some games require split-second decisions that impact the game, in some games decisions made earlier will change the course of the whole game.

AOC cites RPGs and strategy games as examples, with gamers’ early in-game decisions often having big impacts on the latter stages of the game.

3. Processing visual information

First Person Shooter (FPS) games will often require players to shift their focus rapidly on different parts of the screen. While doing that, users will also try to keep their situational awareness in check.

This means that the brain learns to split the attention and improve processing of incoming visual information. As the players don’t have much time to make decisions, prediction and reaction times improve.

4. Teamwork

Most esports games require players to work closely in a team. This kind of collaboration can translate into other areas such as the workspace or at school.

Read AOC’s full guide here.

For more advice and information on our website, read our exercise, sleep and dietary information for esports players, and info and guidelines on how often gamers should practice.