Ask 100 gamers why they play video games, and you’ll likely get 100 different answers. And that nicely encapsulates the beauty and appeal that video games possess. Statistics tell us that 1.2 billion people globally are actively playing video games! In fact, gaming has grown in popularity in recent years, as online gaming has taken off. So, what is it about video games that make them so popular to such a large audience of people? Well, we’re going to look at just a few of the main reasons so many people play video games.
Escapism
One of the biggest reasons people cite for playing video games is escapism. There are so many worries and stresses going on in life these days, and people need a release. They often get this from playing video games, and this is what makes them so appealing. You have to understand that there are so many different games out there. And they all offer something different. If you are playing video games for escapism, then you want to choose the most immersive games you can find. That’s why you need to check out open world games online and see what appeals to you. It’s games like these that allow you the ultimate escapism, and a way of losing yourself in another world for a time.
Become Anyone!
Which brings us to the next part of why people love gaming… You can be anyone! Part of the escapism experience is being part of another world. But, another huge part of it is becoming someone else. Through video games, we can get as close as possible to being people we’ve only ever fantasized about. You want to be a spy, a soldier, or a professional soccer player? Well, when you game you can be all these things and more. And it’s this ability to take on new identities that really helps make gaming such a life-affirming experience for so many people.
Strategy
Another wonderful appeal of video games is that they’re often really strategic. You need to use a lot of brainpower to figure out how to do things, and where to go in certain games. Strategy makes things fun and adds another layer to the game. You get that extra competitive element, and this really helps you to enjoy victory more. Furthermore, you can learn and develop your cognitive functions by gaming. This can actually boost intelligence and lateral thinking. So, for a lot of people, gaming can actually be hugely beneficial.
Healthy Competition
And, of course, gaming allows us to enjoy a bit of healthy competition between friends. We always want to compete with our friends and family. And video games allow anyone to beat anyone. This is the beauty of the gaming experience – everyone is equal when first sampling a game. These days, it’s a healthy part of friendship to compete and challenge friends in an entertaining way. And video games allow you to do this better than anything else.
So, you can see just a few reasons here why we love to play video games. And, with the surge in mobile gaming, it looks like video games are set to become even more popular over the next decade!
