Xbox's Aaron Greenberg and Sarah Bond have both praised a new article from Fortune Magazine; one that discusses the potential mental health benefits of gaming. FM's feature discusses the rise in gaming time due to the pandemic, and how it's "reshaping our understanding" of the medium's effect on mental health.
Both the article's author, Arianna Huffington, and Greenberg mention Hellblade: Senua's Sacrifice, a title that puts a huge focus on mental health struggles. Greenberg recalled his time playing Hellblade, and how it helped him 'better understand' what others are going through.
Xbox's Sarah Bond also commented on the feature, thanking Huffington for their efforts in talking about gaming and how it can positively affect mental health.
This is just great to see to be honest, and we welcome any efforts to destigmatize talk around mental health. The fact that some of Xbox's most important execs are taking the time to talk about our relationships with gaming can only be a good thing.
Has a certain game or gaming experience helped you out mentally?
Comments 11
I dunno.
Every video I've seen on YouTube of Smash Bros competitions leads me to believe that gaming is detrimental to one's mental health, or that it at least attracts the mentally ill.
Think this depends on the game, certainly didn't help playing games like overwatch, rocket league, Elden Ring and apex legends etc my anger was pealing max 😂
Though games like animal crossing, Zelda BoTW, rune factory, dreams, Grow song of the evertree certainly helped.
I suppose games where you can fully immerse yourself into the world and story and lose hours of your life without realising are the kind of games that help with mental health.
Removed - inappropriate; user is banned
Doing things you enjoy that aren't self-destructive helps improve mental health...who knew?
It can help but it can also be a really unhealthy obsession. It’s like anything, it’s best enjoyed in moderation. I say that as someone who’s spent an unhealthy amount of time playing certain games leading to weight gain and not wanting to socialise in the real world. Luckily I pulled myself out of it and I’m in a much better place now. Less gaming but a healthier lifestyle.
Gaming has very unique position for us. Firstly, it is just a great way to entertain you. Secondly, You can build communities that are online and active. Thirdly, it's an active medium. You can put music or movies on to fill time, but games force you to take an active part in what you are doing and create a sense of achievement, Lastly, it can be used to tell stories and spread awareness.
No other medium has the pure potential of video games.
You can argue til the cows come home about specifics or individual examples. But games can, when pushed in positive ways, return postive outcomes. To degrees that haven't been reached, and to degrees that the general public just don't appreciate yet.
There is definitely a potential for a negative impact on your mental and physical health from gaming. Games by design are trying to form an addiction with players. Their FOMO marketing tactics are pretty predatory as well.
The gaming industry has largely ignored any sort of discussion about the need for a good life balance. Physical activity, real life relationships, and sunlight are essential to a healthy mind and body.
The gaming executives are way too quick to point out the benefits games can have on things like depression while ignoring the other end of the spectrum where games are causing health issues like depression.
@BartoxTharglod
I agree man. Gaming/gaming culture can really become an unhealthy obsession for some people, both mentally and physically.
As you said, it's just like anything else. To some people it's just a fun time waster and a way to relax, and to others it's their entire lives to the detriment of everything else.
My comment was removed as deemed inappropriate.
Apologies to anybody that found that way.
@Dezzy70 What was your comment?
@MagicCat
Nothing bad at all about mental health, didn’t even mention mental health at all, so that is probably why.
I had ago about Xbox executives and AAA game releases from Xbox studios.
Nothing rude or nasty.
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