Good Reasons to Play Strategy Games

[Papewaio]

Strategy video games are good for the brain, study suggests

In a study of 40 adults in their 60s and 70s, researchers found that those who learned to play a strategy-heavy video game improved their scores on a number of tests of cognitive function.

Men and women who trained in the game for about a month showed gains in tests of memory, reasoning and the ability to "multi-task".

The findings suggest that video games that keep players "on their toes" might help older adults keep their brains sharp, the researchers report in the journal Psychology And Aging.

This is the first published study to suggest as much, so it's important not to overstate the findings, said senior researcher Dr Arthur F. Kramer, a professor of psychology at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.

However he said the results were "very promising", as they suggested that strategy-based video games could enhance reasoning, memory and other cognitive abilities that often decline with age.

Now I do have a legit reason to play

[seireikhaan]

Preaching to the choir.

[Papewaio]

Think girlfriend/boyfriend, partner or spouse and then give them the information.

"Honey I'm doing pushups for my brain."

[HoreTore]

Well, Jens Stoltenberg, the Norwegian PM played/plays the Total War series, so.....

[Rhyfelwyr]

I want to see Bush, Blair, Brown and someone else go on an episode of Time Commanders.

[Hosakawa Tito]

I want to see Bush, Blair, Brown and someone else go on an episode of Time Commanders.

No where in the study did it claim they had to be good at it.

[Gregoshi]

No where in the study did it claim they had to be good at it.

What do you mean? Playing games or leading a country?

[Alexander the Pretty Good]

Well, Jens Stoltenberg, the Norwegian PM played/plays the Total War series, so.....

What's his favorite faction?

[yesdachi]

they suggested that strategy-based video games could enhance reasoning, memory and other cognitive abilities that often decline with age.

Not to mention it makes me a sexual tyrannosaurus!

Seriously, I think it makes perfect sense, people who think for recreation have increased brain skills, rock on.

[Martok]

Heh. Nice article. I'm definitely forwarding the link to my dad (he's 60). I still suspect he has the heart of a strategy gamer (even if he won't admit it to himself), so maybe this will help him come out of the closet.

[Hosakawa Tito]

What do you mean? Playing games or leading a country?

Sadly, their day job. However, as we age it definitely is beneficial to exercise one's brain as well as body. Martok has a good idea to encourage problem solving games & entertainment for his Dad.

[Louis VI the Fat]

Well, Jens Stoltenberg, the Norwegian PM played/plays the Total War series, so.....

Oowww!! I'd so be plotting an invasion of Sweden with my huscarles all day long...

Please God, anyone, give me a real country that I may live out my fantasies for real!

[Gregoshi]

Geez Louis, don't be so hard on your beloved France...

[KarlXII]

Oowww!! I'd so be plotting an invasion of Sweden with my huscarles all day long...

[HoreTore]

Oowww!! I'd so be plotting an invasion of Sweden with my huscarles all day long...

Please God, anyone, give me a real country that I may live out my fantasies for real!

Well, he just bought us some new jet fighters... hmmm.....

[Ironside]

Well, he just bought us some new jet fighters... hmmm.....

So that's the reason that whole bidding thing was a mockery...