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Revealed: The emotional, social, and developmental benefits of gaming
- 28% of internet users play games to meet new people
- A third of gamers say they play because they like to challenge themselves.
- There are 20,000 gaming jobs in the UK, providing plenty of opportunity for a career in the industry
- We spoke to three experts in the field who gave their insights into the gaming industry
There are lots of negative misconceptions about gaming, many of which are far from the truth. A new study turns stereotypes on their heads and reveals the emotional, social, and developmental benefits of gaming. Dr Rachel Kowert, Research Director of Take This – a mental health non-profit; Dr Matthew Barr, a lecturer of Game Studies at the University of Glasgow; and Noel McDermott, a psychotherapist and presenter of The Well-Being Show podcast, provide their thoughts and insights. Here are some of the highlights:
Gaming can boost mental wellbeing and help with feelings of loneliness
- Thanks to well-crafted storylines and lifelike graphics, games are the perfect form of escapism
- 34% of gamers identify the feeling of being immersed in a game as a key motivation to play
- The global gaming population is likely to have increased by 4% since the outbreak of Covid-19
Especially in challenging times, activities that provide a positive distraction and allow an individual to put their worries to the back of their mind can have a beneficial impact on mental wellbeing. Gaming is an excellent example of this, offering an immersive experience that can mentally transport you to another world.
Barr says, “Video games are good at getting players into the state of optimal experience that psychologists call ‘flow’, by offering an appropriate balance of challenge versus achievement. It’s that feeling of being ‘in the zone’, where you’re totally absorbed in the task at hand, and you’re operating at the top of your game. In turn, this has a positive impact on how players feel.”
This is because the sense of reward releases feel-good hormones called dopamine that boost the player’s mood. What’s more, gaming can offer meditative benefits by fully occupying your mind with the objectives of the game.
Kowert adds that, “Gameplay can also teach skills that have long been associated with increased happiness and prolonged life satisfaction, including openness to experience, self-care, a growth mindset, solution-focused thinking, mindfulness, persistence, self-discovery, and resilience.”
Gaming can maintain and build new relationships
- Half of gamers play with their real-life friends
- 28% of internet users play games to meet new people
- 1 in 3 internet users in the UK say the main reason they game is to have fun with people they know
Contrary to popular belief, gaming can be a sociable activity. Many games offer multiplayer modes or are designed to be played in teams, providing the opportunity for individuals to join forces with their existing friends or virtually meet new people – located anywhere in the world.
McDermott says, “Gaming, especially online, can provide immeasurable benefits to those who are lonely and isolated. It provides safe social contact and a place where skills can be developed. These skills can provide a much-needed boost to self-esteem.”
Research found that 60% of gamers report playing more games with social elements since the beginning of the pandemic, suggesting gaming can play a positive and pivotal role in connecting people at a time when face-to-face contact isn’t always possible.
Kowert explains, “Shared experiences, like playing games together, have been linked to increased self-esteem and a sense of belonging, as well as decreased feelings of depression, anxiety, and isolation.”
Gaming can teach life skills and cognitive abilities
- There are 20,000 gaming jobs in the UK, providing plenty of opportunity for a career in gaming
- Minecraft: Education Edition, for example, has applications in geography, history, engineering, and physics
- A third of gamers say they play because they like to challenge themselves.
While gaming can provide a fun form of entertainment, it can also contribute to the player’s cognitive development. For example, many titles involve problem solving, strategy and multi-tasking, among other skills.
Kowert explains, “Games are fantastic learning tools, particularly for children, because they are so engaging. Video games are also great vehicles for sharpening cognitive skills because they provide a range of different challenges within a single space. Gameplay has been associated with the improvement of a range of cognitive skills, including:
- improved creative thinking
- problem solving
- time management
- leadership skills
- goal setting
- initiative taking
- decision making
- persistence in the face of difficult challenges.”
It’s estimated that children aged 12-15 years old spend an average of 11.6 hours a week gaming. So, with gaming being such a widely enjoyed hobby, it’s encouraging to note that it could be effectively harnessed as an educational tool to teach numerous skills and knowledge. What’s more, with the gaming industry growing year-on-year (and estimated to be worth £3.86 billion in 2020), it could also open doors for careers in the industry.
Barr explains, “We all learn new skills through practice, whether that’s learning how to play an instrument or training to play sports more proficiently. Learning from a video game is no different – you’re exercising skills all the time, whether it’s figuring out puzzles or using your communication and language skills to talk to and strategize with your fellow players.”
Gaming myths debunked
- 52% of Brits play video games, demonstrating its popularity and prevalence in daily life
- Gaming is the nation’s second favourite pastime, after watching TV
- Brits spend an average of 7 hours a week gaming, which is just a third of the time spent watching TV (22.5 hrs)
Over the years, gaming has been associated with negative stereotypes and behaviours, such as laziness, violence, and isolation. There is little evidence to prove any of these correct. Instead, in many cases, gaming can be more beneficial for the player’s health, development, and social abilities than it is detrimental. In fact, with over half of Brits playing games, it’s apparent that gaming is just a part of modern life for many.
Kowert explains, “There is no evidence to suggest that playing games online has a negative impact on our ability to socialise. However, research has found that playing games with our friends online can strengthen our offline friendships and relationships.”
Another concern that often arises is the amount of time people spend gaming and whether gaming has addictive qualities. Talking on the topic, Barr explains that, “People talk about players becoming ‘addicted’ to games, without really considering what that word means, in a clinical sense. We don’t bat an eyelid when someone becomes so engrossed in a book that they sit there reading for hours on end, but somehow this sort of behaviour is perceived as problematic when it comes to games.”
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GiG Accelerates Growth Strategy with Key Appointments to Drive Global Partnerships and Sportsbook Expansion
Gaming Innovation Group (GiG) has reinforced its commercial development strategy with two new appointments focused on accelerating revenue growth of its vast partnership ecosystem and delivering on the next phase of its SportX sportsbook growth, with the arrival of Andy Kelly as Head of Partnerships and Mitchell Harrison as Business Development Director for Sportsbook.
As GiG continues to deliver sustainable momentum across its full suite of platform and sportsbook solutions, the addition of two highly experienced industry professionals supports its ambition to provide deeper, more dynamic engagement with existing and prospective partners.
With over 15 years of commercial and operational leadership experience, Andy Kelly joins GiG with a proven track record in forging strategic partnerships and delivering measurable revenue growth. In his new role as Head of Partnerships, Andy will be responsible for optimising the breadth and strength of GiG’s extensive third-party platform integrations marketplace, spanning content, payments, and sportsbook supply chain.
Further to Andy’s appointment Mitchell Harrison has been appointed as Business Development Director for GiG’s SportX, the company’s sportsbook solution. With more than 7 years of iGaming business development experience at leading companies such as SBTech, DraftKings and Genius Sports, Mitch brings deep domain knowledge to the sports betting ecosystem from both a B2B and B2C perspective.
As GiG continues to build on the momentum of a strong 2024, these appointments mark a significant step forward in supporting the company’s expanding portfolio of global partners, enhancing its ability to scale operations and capitalise on increasing demand for its market-leading technology and services. The appointments signal a clear intent to capitalise on the strong trajectory of the company, ensuring it remains well positioned to serve a diverse and growing client base with world-class solutions.
Andrew Cochrane, Chief Business Officer at GiG, said: “The addition of two highly regarded people with very specialised areas of expertise will be invaluable as we continue to accelerate our global partnership strategy and drive expansion for our platform and sportsbook solutions. With our technology firmly delivering real results for operators in both established and emerging markets, their arrival further strengthens our ability to scale growth for the business.”
Andy Kelly, Head of Partnerships at GiG, said: “I’m really excited to be joining GiG at such a pivotal time in the growth of the company. The technology we have available to existing and prospective customers is fantastic and puts us at the forefront of the industry, which was one of the many factors for joining GiG. We also want to offer our customers the best partners and suppliers to ensure they see maximum returns on investment.”.
Mitchell Harrison, Business Development Director for Sportsbook at GiG, said: “Having worked with the executive management team in highly successful circumstances before, at both SBTech and at DraftKings, I am delighted to be joining them once again on another journey that has the potential for high impact growth opportunities. What excites me about GiG is how the product is being engineered specifically to reward operators with industry-leading margin optimisation tools, robust trading capabilities, and unparalleled flexibility to adapt to local market demands. I’m looking forward to accelerating the business growth and helping SportX establish itself as the sportsbook of choice for operators worldwide.”
The post GiG Accelerates Growth Strategy with Key Appointments to Drive Global Partnerships and Sportsbook Expansion appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Million Games is excited to introduce Book of Love, a captivating new slot that blends passion, mystery, and thrilling gameplay into one enchanting experience. Step into a world where love and fortune intertwine, as Cupid himself guides players through a heartwarming journey filled with exciting features and big win potential.
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The post Unlock Romance and Riches with Book of Love! appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
MetaBet, the leading provider of real-time sports betting tools and interactive engagement technology, has appointed Leah Mayo as Vice President of Operations.
Mayo has more than a decade of operational leadership spanning startups, government, and non-profit sectors and will be integral in accelerating MetaBet’s growth as the business enters its next chapter.
Leah Mayo, Vice President of Operations for MetaBet, commented: “Joining MetaBet provides the perfect opportunity to work alongside and learn from Mark. Moving into the sports analytics space offers huge potential, and I cannot imagine a better team to work with. I cannot wait to build the operational backbone to support MetaBet’s continued innovation and success.”
A core focus of the role will be working closely with MetaBet CEO Mark Phillip to deliver on the company’s vision, streamline internal operations, and ensure day-to-day execution across finance, HR, compliance, and sales support. Mayo will be creating operational frameworks that allow MetaBet to build on its strong foundation and expand with discipline and clarity.
Before MetaBet, Mayo was an independent consultant and Fractional COO for several global companies in the travel and hospitality sectors, guiding U.S. market expansion efforts, operational efficiency improvements, and go-to-market strategies. She also founded FOUND Experience, a travel tech company recognized by BuiltIn as “One to Watch 2020.” Earlier in her career, Leah worked with the British government on internationalization growth strategy for tech clients ranging from Fortune 5 companies to high-growth startups.
Mayo earned an Executive MBA from the University of Cambridge, and a Bachelor of Arts in Government from the University of Texas at Austin.
“MetaBet built this category and continues to lead it with the best technology in the space. With Leah driving operations, we now have the bandwidth and speed to innovate faster and deliver new market-shaping products to the industry” said Mark Phillip, Founder and CEO of MetaBet.
The post MetaBet hires Leah Mayo as VP of Operations appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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