What a recent study on video games reveals

What this discovery says about our way of playing … Similarly, and what it could change tomorrow.

As we know, video games activate our concentration. Consequently, What we were unaware so far is How much they impact our brain in depth. However, A study of Salk Instituteconducted on 200 participants and published in July in the journal PNASreveals a rare neural phenomenon. For example, By playing simple games, our brain reacts as if it were facing a real danger.

. Therefore,

This mechanism may well explain what some already call “The Flappy Bird effect”.

A primitive cerebral reaction triggered by without danger games – What recent study video games – What recent study video games new

The researchers wanted. to understand what is going on. in the brain for a game. For this, they recorded the brain activity of volunteers for two phases: neutral laboratory tasks, then game sessions. The choice fell on Flappy Birdan ultra -simple but notoriously difficult to let go.

And the results surprised everyone. When a player fails in the game. for example when the bird hits a pipe, the brain triggers a Neuronal signature called P300 – This. This wave appears about 300 milliseconds After the impact. It is known to reflect a Uncantified critical event.

In other words. even if the player knows that this is a game, The brain reacts as if there was a real stress. This signature was also detected in other games: a space shooting game (Space Escape). a children’s game with a mechanical crocodile.

Why this reaction explains our tendency to play … Again and again

This phenomenon, according to the authors, could explain why some games captivate for hours. There constant brain stimulation Generated by “critical events” maintains the player in a gentle alert. A bit as if his attention could never go down completely.

In addition, this activation seems universal. It does not depend on the type of player or the level. It occurs for both experts and beginners. This is probably what makes certain games, even very simple, what recent study video games new also Addictive and engaging.

Admittedly. this mechanism alone does not explain all the behaviors linked to addiction. Nevertheless, it provides a concrete neurological base to an often vague phenomenon.

Towards more ethical games? Or a better understanding of our cognitive limits

What this study reveals. beyond the effect of surprise, is the power of well -designed game mechanics. They can cause an intense emotional reaction without ever really threatening the integrity of the player.

This opens two major tracks. On the one hand. potentially uses therapeuticsif we manage to use these mechanics in games of cognitive stimulation or concentration aid. On the other, a necessary ethical reflection : How far can we “deceive” the brain without assuming the consequences?

Today. theVideo game addiction is still not fully what recent study video games defined on the medical level. However, millions of players feel a powerful appeal, often misunderstood. This type of research could finally offer more nuanced, more scientific, but also more human explanations.