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10 Reasons People Play Videogames

Videogames are good for your mental health according to a study done at the University of Oxford. They can also make you happier, smarter, and more creative. So, why do so many parents think videogames are bad for their children?

Research firm Censuswide polled 1008 parents across the US and received the following feedback:

• 74% of parents complained about inappropriate gaming usernames
• 66% of parents said their kids had experienced bullying
• 58% of respondents complained about predators in the gaming community.

Many parents aren’t against videogames. They’re worried about their kids’ safety when playing online games. Videogames are fun and beneficial to players of all ages. Here are some of the reasons people give for loving videogames.

Entertainment

Videogames provide an escape from our simple, boring, and stressful lives. They give us a chance to experience the excitement of solving puzzles, destroying monsters, flying jets, and conquering empires.

Videogames allow you to experience the impossible in the safety of your home. You can join the Special Forces and participate in missions to fight terrorists, rogue governments, and cabals.

The beauty of videogames is that they come in different forms and shapes. Whether you love racing, storytelling, solving puzzles, cooking, or fighting zombies, there's something out there for you.

For many adults, videogames offer the best platform to escape the hardships of life. Between fulfilling your career goals, providing for your family, and battling mental health, life can be tough.

Videogames give you dopamine, stress relief, and relaxation when you need it the most. The best part about it is that you don't need to leave your house or talk to anyone else to experience this entertainment. All you need is a gaming PC or smartphone.

Endless Gaming Experiences

Variety in videogames is the reason the industry is so huge. Everyone has the chance to experience something new and exciting. You can make friends, obtain skins, complete missions, and explore new territories.

Take League of Legends as an example. With this game, you can explore new maps, unlock new characters, and interact with all forms of players. The game has over 150 characters, and each character provides something novel.

In Grand Theft Auto V, you can have a different experience each day you play the game. You can rob stores, commit heists, and terrorize your fellow players when you want to feel mischievous. Or you can do normal stuff like playing sports, watching movies and flying helicopters.

If you’re not so much into videogames, check out online casino games like slots, roulette, poker, and blackjack. These games are much simpler to play. But make no mistake. They're incredibly exciting. They can also be competitive, especially in card games like Texas Hold'em and blackjack.

Freedom

Videogames give you the freedom to explore new places and do what you want without facing any consequences in real life. In Fallout, you can focus on the main story. Or, you can undertake interesting side quests such as fighting crime as a vigilante, building robots, or smuggling drugs.

The best part about it all is that there's no judgment in what you do within the confines of a videogame. No one will call you a monster for running over a cop in GTA V. There are no consequences for spraying bullets at random people, taking down military jets, or carjacking.

For clarity, gaming isn’t necessarily a platform for doing illegal activities. It is a place to be your authentic self, whether that means fighting crime and saving lives or acting as the villain for the thrill of it.

Competition

It is an undeniable fact that people love to compete. Videogames offer countless ways to compete. In Fortnite, you have 99 opponents you must eliminate to emerge the winner. In FIFA, the goal is to beat your opponent in a game of football.

Nearly every online multiplayer allows you to compete with others for the fun of it or for rewards. Some people spend more than 10 hours daily perfecting their videogame skills.
To be fair, today’s videogames offer lucrative rewards at the professional level. If you’re a top-tier FIFA player, you could win millions of dollars in prize money. Games like League of Legends and CS: GO offer the same option.

Players who don't make it at the professional level have the choice to become influencers. Twitch streamers are some of the biggest moneymakers in the industry. That's because they can leverage their huge fan bases to get paid through ads, sponsorships, affiliate programs, and selling merchandise.

Esports

Esports is a billion-dollar industry consisting of 400M+ fans and over 40 games. Electronic sports bring gamers from all parts of the world to participate in professional competitions.
Counter-Strike: Global Offensive, League of Legends, Dota 2, Fortnite, StarCraft II, and Rocket League are some of the biggest eSports games. You need to be extremely talented to become a professional videogame player.

The biggest esports companies are always recruiting fresh talent. They can even nurture and sponsor all your needs if you have what it takes to beat the best players in the world.
Esports is a lucrative career path—top gamers earn hundreds of thousands of dollars. Unfortunately, it is hard to be a pro gamer for long. The average pro gamer competes at the top level for less than five years.

Creative Control

Unlike movies, videogames give you some control over your experience. In Minecraft, you can build shelters, hunt for food, bake cake, and create cities and villages.

Videogames allow you to take control of a project and build it to your liking. You can create a character, customize it, and improve its skills and abilities with time. Having the power to build and advance tools, characters, and situations is one of the things that set gaming apart from other forms of entertainment.

Games give you a challenge and the tools needed to solve it. All you need is to spend your time solving problems, honing your skills, and having fun with the game.