In stark contrast to the public perception of video gaming during the late 20th century, many experts now claim that playing games can have a positive impact on human behaviour and even our intelligence levels.  

IQ is, of course, a broad concept, so can playing video games actually make you smarter? And if so, what are the best types of games to play to boost your grey matter? Let’s take a look.  

What the Science Says 

Given that gaming has become such an integral part of modern culture, it’s no wonder that researchers and scientists across the world have chosen to study its impact. The general consensus is that playing certain games can positively affect everything from our decision-making skills to memory (short and long-term) and our overall capacity for learning.  

One study, conducted by Green and Bevillier, concluded that games belonging to the action and adventure genre could enhance attention and reaction. Action games typically feature high-paced gameplay, with players constantly required to navigate their surroundings and interact with the objects, people and wildlife around them. The study found that gamers playing action games have a higher degree of spatial awareness and can track moving objects faster and more accurately than non-video game players. 

Memory and information retention is another area of cognitive function that has been scientifically proven to be enhanced by engaging in regular gameplay. A 2007 study found that gamers displayed higher levels of accuracy in visual memory than non-gamers – primarily likely to be because games prime players to be alert and react to visual cues.  

More recently, researchers at the University of California discovered that playing games with 3D elements – apparent in a broad spectrum of current digital games – not only improves memory formation but also directly impacts reaction times and hand-eye coordination. 

So does this make gamers smarter than the non-gaming population when it comes to real world intelligence? Cognitive abilities are fundamental to all our real-life interactions. For example, just think of how many decisions you need to make in a professional environment on a day-to-day basis. Plus, an increased attention span and higher problem-solving capabilities both directly impact your capacity for learning, ensuring that you can keep expanding your professional and academic knowledge in your chosen field and put it into practice.  

The Games to Play for Results 

With action gamers in particular showing particularly strong cognitive ability, it would be easy to think that the benefits of gaming lie only in this genre. In truth, however, this is far from the case. The current gaming landscape is diverse and encompasses a massive range of different gaming experiences. Since all of these games require players to interact and engage with a variety of different tasks and environments, they can all, to a certain extent, deliver benefits.  

Still, not all games are created equal when it comes to gaining a cerebral advantage. Games with a competitive, strategic focus, for instance, are excellent at boosting your decision-making skills, even when you only have limited information.  

Consider casino gaming, for instance. Classic card and table games like blackjack have long posed an exciting challenge while also becoming more and more popular online on specialized casino sites. Although the gameplay itself is fairly simple, it requires a strategic approach and the confidence to make fast-fire decisions based only on the information in front of you – in this case, the cards you and the dealer hold. 

Let’s not forget about the importance of so-called “soft skills” such as communication, cooperation, leadership and empathy. It’s just as critical to possess a high EQ as it is a high IQ in today’s world. Surprisingly, Multiplayer Online Battle Arena (MOBA) games can develop social skills in regular players. Players who regularly participate in MOBA games have to find ways to interact and coordinate with other gamers in their social microcosms. Teamwork is just as present in MOBA games as it is in different types of online multiplayer games, like the world-famous League of Legends. 

Gaming has shed its earlier image, with science now showing that certain games, whether action packed shooters or social MMOs, can improve our cognition. So game on!