Jakarta, Indonesia Sentinel — A groundbreaking study published in late 2024 has revealed that playing open-world video games can significantly enhance relaxation and mental health.
Video games have been the focus of extensive research over the years, with findings swinging between claims that gaming is ‘harmful’ and arguments highlighting its ‘benefits’. However, much like the diverse conclusions of these studies, different games require different play styles, thus giving different impact on the one who played it.
A study published in the Journal of Medical Internet Research (2024) highlights the mental health benefits of playing ‘open-world’ video games. “Open-world refers to games that provide a large, freely explorable environment, where players can move and interact with the game world with minimal restrictions,” writes the team in their published paper, as reported by Science Alert.
Conducted by researchers from Imperial College London and the University of Graz in Austria, the study surveyed 609 graduate students and included in-depth interviews with 32 participants.
The findings reveal that open-world games can serve as a form of “cognitive escapism,” positively impacting mental well-being. These games were shown to promote relaxation, help players temporarily forget daily worries, and provide a sense of inner calm.
Games Effect
The study found that the expansive environments and freedom to explore at one’s own pace made open-world games more soothing than other digital activities like scrolling through social media.
Popular titles such as The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom were cited as examples, offering players a sense of autonomy and the opportunity to immerse themselves in vast, interactive virtual worlds.
Survey respondents reported that these games helped them “release stress” and even described the experience as a “form of meditation.” This was particularly beneficial for graduate students, a group often overwhelmed by academic pressure.
Expanding Gaming Benefits
The researchers emphasized that these benefits could extend beyond students, suggesting open-world games as a potential tool for individuals in high-stress work environments or those living with chronic conditions.
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The study underscores that gaming is not merely a form of entertainment but could serve as an innovative approach to stress management. While the research highlights the positive effects of gaming when done in moderation, further studies required to further explore the physiological impacts of open-world games.
In the future, the findings could pave the way for therapists to incorporate open-world gaming as a recommended practice for improving mental well-being.
(Raidi/Agung)
