More evidence that video games are good for you: A Tel Aviv University and University of Rochester researchers have found that playing violent video games can improve teens’ vision.
In particular, the games (such as first-person shooter games) have been found to help players train their brains to better discern subtle differences in color or shades of gray.
“We think that the games are taking the brain’s visual cortex to the limits, forcing it to adapt to the added stimuli of the action games,” says Uri Polat of Tel Aviv University’s Goldschlager Eye Institute, in a statement.
The researchers’ latest study involved a visual test of 22 game-playing teens, half of whom played violent games and half who played games like “The Sims 2” that are much less action packed. After 50 hours of game playing over 9 weeks, a 43% improvement in the ability to distinguish between close shades of gray was found in those playing the violent games. No difference was shown in the others.
Researchers aren’t ready to say whether such improvements will lead to glasses or surgery replacement, but the findings do show that finagling with the eye’s optics aren’t necessarily the only way to aid vision.
Other studies have shown that playing video games can boost motor skills and reaction time.
Another recent study out of Michigan State University found that video games could deliver skills to players that could help them perform delicate acts such as surgery. In fact, one researcher suggested that the fact more boys play video games gives them an upper hand over girls in this area.
Another recent studyfound that the tools used to build 3D shooter games can also be applied to designing systems to help people evacuate burning buildings.
