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How Videogames Are Changing the World

When videogames had only begun to appear, many people dismissed them as mindless drivel. Even those who loved playing them agreed that they are nothing but entertainment — exciting and challenging, but ultimately meaningless. However, public perception took a sharp turn in the last decade when what used to be simple videogames have become a form of art.

Now, it’s not just about playing. Videogames can instill crucial values in players, stimulate their critical thinking, and help distract them from everyday sorrows. How did this change happen? We’re about to find out.

We Didn’t Notice When Games Became Teachers

Many people might fail to realize it, but videogames start teaching us even before we play them. Think about it: how do you choose what title you’re going to download or purchase next? Doing research is the first step for the vast majority of players. It doesn’t matter whether you’re looking into video shooters, plot-heavy titles, or casino games — knowing some basic facts about them is what drives your decisions.

As an example, when people search for the best gambling platforms, they might come across Villento Casino. And yes, this platform might be popular, but what is it actually like? What kind of bonuses does it offer, and how much money can you withdraw upon winning? Reading Villento Casino reviews and collecting relevant insights is the way to go. A player sees the outside perspectives, compares the listed pros and cons, and decides if they want to try playing here.

Research like this stimulates our critical thinking and helps us sort through tons of information in the search for true value. Most importantly, this lesson is just the beginning.

Press X to Empathize

People used to read books, which helped them develop empathy and explore multiple complex situations from the safety of their homes. Now, books have largely lost their appeal, at least for younger generations, but videogames have come to replace them as teachers.

Is it difficult to believe? Well, think about the world-famous game The Last of Us. The sales of its sequel have reached 2.8 million units in the first month of its release, indicating that millions of people have tried playing it. One of the reasons for this videogame’s popularity is the ability of players to explore it through multiple points of view.

Here is how a tactic like this teaches us to empathise:

• We get to spend time with different characters, including villains, growing attached to them and seeing the world from their perspectives.
• What seemed like murky motivation through the eyes of others becomes clearer when you become the character experiencing it yourself.
• You start noticing the tiny things you might have missed before because the priorities of different characters vary.

Multiple POVs give us the chance to gain deeper emotional understanding, which is something we all desperately need.

Why Game Mechanics Feel So Good

What is it about game mechanics that appeals to so many people?

The Science Behind the Click

People love playing videogames, no doubt about it, but what lies behind their delight? Here are the secrets behind the videogaming science:

• Reward loops. Every obstacle you overcome results in a surge of dopamine that makes you feel happy and eager to chase this feeling again.
• Social elements. People who feel lonely in real life get a chance to become a part of a community and make friends, which elevates their affection for a game they’re playing.
• Flow theory. When the game creates challenges that you’re skilled enough to overcome, it evokes a state where you feel deeply motivated to keep playing and proving yourself.

Games that successfully incorporate these elements become the drug of the best kind.

Small Games. Big Shocks

Videogames of all types have a unique power to captivate us. Take Among Us, an extremely popular social deduction game. It has the simplest graphics and a basic plot, and yet people all over the world adore it.

What explains this phenomenon? Two things: emotional surprises and shocking twists.

Why Chaos Is a Game Mechanic

You might have heard a joke question, “Why did the chicken cross the road?” Millions of people of various ages and genders have given wildly different answers to it. Speculations, contradictions, arguments, and increasingly absurd theories gave birth to amusing chaos, and some videogame developers used this opportunity to create a product everyone will love.

This is how a chicken road game came to exist. It might be relatively small in scope, but it’s fun and chaotic, and you can win money if you play it right. Even people who have never tried it before want to see the chicken road game explained out of sheer curiosity, hoping to get valuable insights before immersing themselves in the gameplay. Chaos is stressful in real life, but in videogames, it’s a source of entertainment.

What Satirical Microgames Reveal About Us

Don’t forget about satirical small games. We don’t do much in them, yet they still hold us tight because their simplicity hides a vital message about our society and culture. Whether it’s stamping passports and pondering the distinction between loyalty to family and state, or being turned into a stone and watching people live around you, you can learn a lot by playing.

Are Games Becoming the New Reality Simulators?

Many games stimulate our reality, which is another lesson that we can learn in safe and controlled conditions. For instance, if you dream about joining the military and handling aircraft, you can try the military aircraft carrier simulator to see how it feels. If you hope to start a family, you can download any of the games that simulate married life and face the challenges that come with it.

Modern videogames easily blur the line between real life and simulators. Sure, losing yourself in them is dangerous, but playing in moderation is not only entertaining — it can teach us a lot. Find a game to your liking and explore all the precious possibilities it brings to your life.