The Impacts of Video Games on Cognition (2015) [pdf] • Hacker News Board

Re: The Impacts of Video Games on Cognition (2015) [pdf]

#81

Post by Agentlien » Fri, Jan 20, 2017, 2:21 PM UTC

FreezerburnV wrote: post #80

Agentlien wrote: post #77

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I definitely understand where you're coming from. I love Bloodborne, but it's really demanding. Which is why I don't play it when I want to relax after work. I play it in the weekend if I feel well rested and up for a challenge. To unwind after work I gravitate towards RPG:s which let me get lost in the fantasy and forget about this world or FPS games which let me empty my mind and just focus on reflexes and simple t…

This is completely off the original topic but: by any chance do you use a Japanese-layout keyboard? The colon used in place of the apostrophe indicates you might be doing that. If so: I'm curious as to why. I used to live in Japan and ended up naturally getting used to it when using a laptop bought there, so the colon stuck out to me. A little more on-topic: Playing MtG during lunch would be nice because it gets you…

I don't use a Japanese keyboard, only a Swedish and sometimes French (Belgium). The colon in "RPG:s" was actually a simple mistake because I'm Swedish[1]

[1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Colon_(punctuation)#Word-media...

Re: The Impacts of Video Games on Cognition (2015) [pdf]

#82

Post by ionised » Fri, Jan 20, 2017, 4:36 PM UTC

drzaiusapelord wrote: post #61

WA wrote: post #2

Having only read the abstract and key points: The question is if video games have a better positive impact on cognitive abilities than other things you could do in the meantime that may also improve other abilities as well. I write this because I quit video games almost entirely a year ago. I played probably 500-700 hours of video games in 2015. I played occasionally simple games on my phone in 2016. The major downsi…

I often think about turning my game time into productive time, but my game time is right before bed as de-stresser. I play to relax, socialize, and have fun. I need this time everyday. I'm not sure your advice applies to most adult gamers. College students and kids addicted to MMO's and pay-to-win garbage, certainly.

This is exactly the way I look at my gaming time.

It's no different than reading a novel or watching a TV show, except it's interactive, which I prefer.

Re: The Impacts of Video Games on Cognition (2015) [pdf]

#83

Post by FreezerburnV » Fri, Jan 20, 2017, 11:34 PM UTC

Agentlien wrote: post #81

FreezerburnV wrote: post #80

Earlier quoted context omitted.

This is completely off the original topic but: by any chance do you use a Japanese-layout keyboard? The colon used in place of the apostrophe indicates you might be doing that. If so: I'm curious as to why. I used to live in Japan and ended up naturally getting used to it when using a laptop bought there, so the colon stuck out to me. A little more on-topic: Playing MtG during lunch would be nice because it gets you…

I don't use a Japanese keyboard, only a Swedish and sometimes French (Belgium). The colon in "RPG:s" was actually a simple mistake because I'm Swedish[1] [1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Colon_(punctuation)#Word-media...

I guess I learned at least one new thing today, thanks! :)

Re: The Impacts of Video Games on Cognition (2015) [pdf]

#84

Post by tomcam » Sat, Jan 21, 2017, 3:45 AM UTC

anonymouslee wrote: post #78

WA wrote: post #2

Having only read the abstract and key points: The question is if video games have a better positive impact on cognitive abilities than other things you could do in the meantime that may also improve other abilities as well. I write this because I quit video games almost entirely a year ago. I played probably 500-700 hours of video games in 2015. I played occasionally simple games on my phone in 2016. The major downsi…

This really resonated with me to the point where I had to stop lurking. James Gee (who was also at Wisconsin-Madison for a time) has written a fair bit, mostly positive, on learning and games. Here's one of his positive early pieces [1]. But I have a cautionary take which is very similar in spirit to yours. I loved video games as a kid - Double Dragon, Zelda, Mario Kart.. I lost my mom early and in adult retrospect o…

Powerful and beautiful story. Condolences about your Mom. +1 on the France comments too.

Re: The Impacts of Video Games on Cognition (2015) [pdf]

#85

Post by tomcam » Sat, Jan 21, 2017, 3:47 AM UTC

faitswulff wrote: post #65

xherberta wrote: post #5

Summary: ... we need more research... existing studies have flaws... guidelines for kids aren't even based on research... what gov't agency should regulate games? ... some agency should regulate brain-training games. Here's the gem: When it comes to surgeons, "cross-sectional research shows action video game experience is a better predictor of positive surgical outcomes than years of training or number of surgeries p…

I did a quick search and I am actually shocked at how many studies there are on this: https://www.projectcredo.com/briankung/the-impact-of-videoga... † I expected studies like "Does playing video games improve laparoscopic skills?" but not "Impact of Super Monkey Ball and Underground video games on basic and advanced laparoscopic skill training." † Disclaimer: I built this site

Whoa! I think the same may be true for fighter pilots

Re: The Impacts of Video Games on Cognition (2015) [pdf]

#86

Post by pmoriarty » Sat, Jan 21, 2017, 4:26 AM UTC

JetSpiegel wrote: post #4

WA wrote: post #2

Having only read the abstract and key points: The question is if video games have a better positive impact on cognitive abilities than other things you could do in the meantime that may also improve other abilities as well. I write this because I quit video games almost entirely a year ago. I played probably 500-700 hours of video games in 2015. I played occasionally simple games on my phone in 2016. The major downsi…

Maybe you are paying the wrong kind of games? I think online competitive games, like esports, only make you better at playing games, but other single player games are comparable artforms and only nominally "pointless wastes if time".

"Maybe you are paying the wrong kind of games?"

Indeed. I'm playing FSX (Microsoft Flight Simulator X). It's teaching me how to fly... and it's actually lots of fun too.

Re: The Impacts of Video Games on Cognition (2015) [pdf]

#87

Post by TulliusCicero » Mon, Jan 23, 2017, 8:58 AM UTC

maccard wrote: post #69

TulliusCicero wrote: post #33

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> Games are quite passive in the grand scheme of things and do little to actually challenge cognition. 1. Sure they do, although I admit it depends on the game. I'd say video games are more mentally challenging than school, most of the time. I remember most of grade school being kind of a walkover, whereas the games I played were much more consistently challenging, especially when against other people. 2. If what you…

> I'd take competitive Starcraft as a beneficial cognitive toy over lego any day of the week. What 8 year olds do you know that are playing competitive Starcraft?

Ones in Korea? ;)

Well, my son will probably be one in a few years. He's five now and just picked up Portal 2.