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127 excellent video game research topics for 2023.

video game research topics

Are you looking for the best video game research topics for 2023? We are proud to say that you have arrived at the right place. Our experienced ENL writers and professional editors have just finished creating our brand new list of 127 awesome video game topics for high school and college students. You can use any of our ideas for free – no credits required.

Best Way To Write A Video Game Essay

Before we get to the list of topics, we want to make sure you know how to write a great essay. After all, finding a great topic is just part of the writing process of any custom term papers . Here are some pointers that should help you do a better job on your research paper:

  • Structure your paper properly and always start with an outline. We recommend you use the 5 paragraph essay structure, as it’s extremely versatile.
  • Make sure your grammar and vocabulary are spot-on. Edit your work and polish your writing to make sure you get a top grade.
  • Be careful with quotes and citations. Remember to include all your sources in the References chapter.
  • Always start your paper with a great thesis statement. Dedicate some time to crafting the best one possible.
  • Keep in mind that each body paragraph should start with a clear statement and then support it. Don’t tackle more than one important idea in a paragraph.
  • Make sure you research the topic thoroughly and get accurate data from reputable sources. This is, after all, a research paper.
  • Last, but not least, write in a clean and concise manner. Express your ideas clearly and avoid unnecessary information that would just confuse or bore your readers.

Now that you know what to do and what to avoid when writing the video game research paper, it’s time to take a look at our list of original video game research topics:

Easy Video Game Topics

We will start our list with a selection of easy video game topics that are perfect for students who don’t want to spend too much time on their papers:

  • Talk about your favorite video game
  • What do you like about modern video games?
  • The process behind the creation of a new game
  • Why do you want to become a video game developer?
  • What is a MMORPG video game?
  • Differences between FPS and RPG games
  • Analyze the gaming industry in a country of your choice
  • An in-depth look at cyber sports and video game championships
  • Can playing video games be considered a sport?
  • What makes League of Legends so popular?
  • Research gun violence in modern video games
  • Are the games you play bad for you?
  • Talk about the impact of video games on small children
  • Do video games have any positive effects on you?

Video Games Topic For Every Student

Below, you will find a selection of topics for every student from high school to college. Check out our video games topic for every student list:

  • The psychology behind modern video games
  • Analyze the launch of a popular game
  • How are video games priced?
  • The history of online gaming
  • Games as learning tools
  • Controlling video game addiction
  • Shooters or strategy games?
  • Why you shouldn’t play video games
  • Physical benefits of games

Interesting Video Game Topics To Write About

We know; you want a topic that is both interesting and easy to write about. Take a look at these interesting video game topics to write about:

  • Do violent video games make teens violent?
  • What is the effect of video games on children?
  • What changed my view on video games?
  • Skills that can be improved by playing games
  • Do adults play video games?
  • Research the increase in demand for video games
  • Compare video games in the US and the UK
  • Ethical responsibility in the gaming industry
  • How addictive are role playing video games?

Fun Gaming Topics

Yes, writing a research paper can be fun – if you choose a great topic. Pick any of our fun gaming topics and start writing your paper right away:

  • The entire history of video games
  • Positive effects of video games
  • Android games vs iOS games
  • The Candy Crush popularity
  • Gaming industry careers
  • Genres of video games
  • The technology behind the Xbox 4
  • What causes addiction when it comes to video games?
  • How do games improve learning skills?

Latest News On Video Games

If you want to write about something new, we recommend you take a look at the latest news in video games:

  • Talk about the use of augmented reality in video games in 2023
  • What are incremental console upgrades?
  • An in-depth look at inclusivity in video games
  • Which games are trending in 2023?
  • Most anticipated video games of 2023
  • Latest advances in 3D and SFX effects
  • Talk about the remastered cinematics of Diablo 2 Resurrected
  • Halo Infinite: everything we know so far
  • The clan system in Call of Duty: Vanguard

Informative Gaming Topics To Talk About

Do you want to write an informative paper? No problem, we have a long list of informative gaming topics to talk about right here:

  • Why do people love video games so much?
  • Can video game addiction be treated like substance addiction?
  • Case study: The Elder Scrolls of Oblivion
  • Discuss government regulation of video games in the US
  • Compare and contrast the Xbox and the PlayStation
  • A closer look at the Japanese gaming industry
  • What does it take to become a video game creator?
  • The rise of Android video games
  • Do we really need computer games nowadays?

Video Game Research Paper Topics For High School

Our list of video game research paper topics for high school is unique, so you can safely pick any one of our ideas and write your essay on it:

  • What do modern video games promote?
  • How much time should you spend playing video games?
  • Are video games good or bad for our youth?
  • Talk about how gaming will look 20 years from now
  • Does playing video games make you think more strategic?
  • How important are video games for our society?
  • The importance of video games in treating depression
  • Are games a good way to treat anxiety?
  • Why do people spend so much money on video games?

Best Video Game Research Questions

A question is usually enough to spark your creativity. This is why we have an entire list of the best video game research questions right here:

  • Are video games good for teens?
  • How does video game violence affect children?
  • How will games look 50 years from now?
  • How do games improve our collaborative skills?
  • Why do we love looking at other play video games?
  • How damaging is piracy for the video game industry?
  • Which are more popular, RPGs or FPSs?

Video Games Debate Topics

Are you preparing for a debate and need a great topic? Don’t worry about it; we’ve got your back. Check out these great video games debate topics:

  • Discuss sexism in modern video games
  • Talk about social problems related to video games
  • Virtual reality in future games
  • The important of augmented reality
  • Can a game be educational?
  • What makes games so fun and addictive?
  • Gaming in the classroom in 2023
  • Interesting online gaming experiences
  • Important of games in special education settings

Good Video Game Writing Prompts

Are you looking for some good video game writing prompts that can help you write an intriguing research paper? Here are some of our best ideas:

  • Compare and contrast the top 3 games in the United Kingdom in 2023
  • What are some problems with modern video games?
  • An in-depth look at advanced SFX effects
  • 3D game rendering technologies
  • Discuss online piracy related to video games
  • Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs: Modern video games
  • How realistic are modern games in 2023?
  • Tackle the violence theme in video games
  • Sony vs. Microsoft: gaming giants battle
  • The link between gaming and violence in teenagers
  • Discuss the addictiveness of video games

Video Games Research Paper Topics For College

Of course, we have a list of video games research paper topics for college students. These are a bit more difficult than the others in our list:

  • Linking video game addiction to substance abuse
  • The use of first person shooter games in military training programs
  • Flight simulation games and their real world applications
  • Games that improve critical thinking skills
  • The minimum age for playing video games
  • Games that improve reaction times
  • Pros and cons of playing assassin video games
  • Debunking the most popular myths about video games
  • Should parents prevent their children from playing video games?
  • The link between video games and cognitive skill improvements

Engaging Video Games Topics

Want to engage your audience right from the start? If you are looking to impress your professor, you might want to give these engaging video games topics a try:

  • The role of a developer in the video game industry
  • How is testing being carried out on video games?
  • Talk about the latest and most advanced video game effects
  • An analysis of the video game industry in 2023
  • Compare the 3 most popular games in the United States in 2023
  • Are online video games more addictive than single-player ones?
  • Discuss about the psychological effects of video games
  • Compare and contrast 3 first person shooter games
  • Improving reaction time in FPS games
  • The effect of video games on education

Video Games Of The Future

Last, but not least, we have a nice compilation of ideas related to video games of the future. Take a look at our innovative ideas and pick the one you like:

  • A closer look at Battlefield 2042
  • Talk about how rendering graphics works in games
  • Advances in graphics planned for games to be released in 2023
  • Innovative graphics in Halo Infinite
  • Discuss 3D game rendering technologies of the future
  • What makes Pragmata a game of the future?
  • The use of artificial intelligence in games in 2023
  • Research the use of virtual reality in future games
  • Discuss real-time rendering in future 3D games
  • An in-depth look at Hytale (to be released in 2023)

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110 Video Game Topic Ideas for Essays & Examples

🔝 top 10 video game topics for 2024, 🏆 best video game topic ideas & essay examples, 🎮 good video game research topics, 🕹️ interesting gaming topics to write about, ❓ video game research questions, ✅ simple & easy video game essay topics.

Looking for video game topics for your project? Look no further! Here, we’ve collected excellent essay topics for true gaming enthusiasts. Whether you’re looking for argumentative essay ideas on video games, research topics, or questions for debate, you will find them here.

  • History of Video Game Consoles
  • Myths of Video Game Violence
  • The Global Phenomenon of Esports
  • VR Gaming and Its Future Possibilities
  • How Video Games Influence Cognitive Skills
  • Therapeutic Mental Health Benefits of Video Games
  • Diversity and Gender Representation in Video Games
  • How Multiplayer Games Impact Social Interaction
  • Healthy Gaming Habits Against Video Game Addiction
  • Aesthetic and Narrative Qualities of Artistic Video Games
  • Striving for the Ultimate Knowledge: Eli’s Mission. Video Game Owing to the peculiarities of the movie plot, the game can be shaped in a most intriguing way, with a lot of turns of the plot which lead to the most effective denouement.
  • Game designers have the responsibility to design less video game Secondly, the outcome of the video game is unpredictable as compared to movie in which the audience can predict the point at which the story would end thus making the video games more interesting to […]
  • Video Game Effects: Good or Bad? Given the fact that there is indeed a logically sound rationale to such a suggestion, throughout the course of conducting my study, I remained thoroughly observant of the article’s classification-related suggestions, in regards to the […]
  • Video Game Industry Analysis In 1950, Yamauchi assumed the position of the president in the firm and got on a variety of strategies with the purpose of rationalizing and modernizing the way the firm was controlled.
  • Nintendo in the Video Game Industry Previously, Atari was a major power to reckon with in the industry but was later toppled by Nintendo. Part of Yamauchi’s vision was to introduce new and cheaper video games in the market than the […]
  • Twitch.tv and Video Game Streaming Career From this point, in spite of the fact that the Twitch.tv platform can be viewed as belonging to the live-streaming industry, the careers of streamers develop according to the traditional principles of the entertainment business.
  • Sony and Nintendo in the Video Game Industry The firm has manufactured several generations of the home console since the 1980s, beginning with the Nintendo Entertainment System, the Super Nintendo Entertainment System released in the early 1990s, and the Nintendo 64 that was […]
  • Video Game Addiction and Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs As to me, I was interested in video games when I was a child because this industry was at its beginning and almost every pupil was involved in it.
  • Video Game Company Against Online Piracy The purpose of the said DRM software is to protect the intellectual rights of the company. The fourth major issue is the encompassing goal of the VGC to end all types of piracy.
  • The U.S. Video Game Industry This was also based on the views of the company’s developers who assumed that the technological advantages of the the16-bit system were extremely less than that of the 8-bit system.
  • A Video Game Store’s Business Plan The projected cash flow of the cash in the balance sheet will appear positive for the next five years and will show that the company’s profitability in will be good enough pay for operating expenses […]
  • Product Life Cycle & Marketing of Video Game Industry One of the most important advantages of the concept of life cycle can be seen in the sphere of marketing, where if used as a tool it allows adjusting the strategies, including marketing, based on […]
  • Video Game Delivery Project: Strategic Marketing To initiate strategies in marketing of Video Game, the company will decide to develop a web based application by ABC CORP and this application is customized to meet the requirements of the project. The purpose […]
  • FIFA 10 Football Simulation Video Game A lack of consistency is evident in the various versions of this game as FIFA 10 played on a PC lacks the realism that is exhibited when the game is played on XBOX 360 and […]
  • Video Game History: Overview From the 1990s to Nowadays In addition to arcade car behavior, the game was also famous for its beautiful graphics at the time, with each game in the series being a launch title showing the capabilities of the console.
  • BioWare Video Game Project Management For example, Dragon Age: Inquisition, the third installment of the company’s flagship series, switched to the Frostbite engine used by most of the EA games and succeeded in delivering the product despite the technical difficulties […]
  • A Role-Playing Video Game Ayiti: The Cost of Life This strategy worked but not to the topmost level simply because the burden of the living cost was gradually weighing down the overall income of my family.
  • Does Video Game Violence Lead to Aggression in Children? Among the gaming community, children participate vigorously in absorbing the plethora of entertaining content, including age-restricted ones where the scenes of violence are abundant.
  • Human Life: Video Game, Simulation, or Reality? Drawing parallels between the real and the virtual world, one can admit the unreality of the existence of the planet and people and compare everything that happens with the simulation in which we are.
  • The “Medal of Honor” Video Game Analysis The game is set to depict the Afghanistan invention in 2002 and the battle between the U.S.military and the Taliban. Due to the close resemblance of the game to the Afghanistan war, the game has […]
  • The Motivation of the Video Game Player For instance, the project gave its players the dynamic and fast pace of the game, a vast and detailed map, various locations, several different weapons, and character skins, and this is not all the possibilities.
  • The NASCAR Video Game Project Management Plan The plan attempts to draw the features and gameplay mechanics by replicating the thought process of a potential player. At this stage, the game should be well-advertised and ready for release.
  • The Video Game Industry Evolution The first mention of the creation of such games dates back to the 1940s, but it was in 1952 that Alexander Shafto “Sandy” Douglas officially presented his dissertation at the University of Cambridge. One of […]
  • The Monopoly Tycoon Video Game Review The game is stylistically similar to the board game Monopoly, and it can be played both online and offline. It is important to note that the game has a multiplayer feature, which can be played […]
  • Analysis of the Counter-Strike Video Game Phenomenon in Computer Gaming
  • Comparison of Three Companies in Video Game Industry; Nintendo, Sony and Microsoft
  • Analysis of Free Will in The Stanley Parable Video Game
  • Analysis of the Effects of Playing a Video Game Used in Computer Science
  • Analysis of the Characteristics and Player Statistics of Bungie’s Video Game Destiny
  • Are Video Games Truly a Game or a Reality?
  • Analysis of the Topic of the Releases in the Video-Game Industry and the Issues of the Violence
  • Analysis of the Rise of the Video Game Empire in Modern Society
  • Two Aspects of Creating a Video Game
  • Analysis of the Third-Person, Console-Based Video Game, The Last of Us
  • Are Users The Next Entrepreneurs? A Case Study On The Video Game Industry
  • Combating Video Game Addiction : A Global Problem
  • Does Playing Video Game Consoles Bring About Plenty of Advantages?
  • Analysis of the Field Work Project and the Topic of a Video Game Community
  • Does Video Game Violence Affect Children?
  • Do Video Games Contribute For Video Game Violence?
  • Is The Video Game Industry an Oligopoly?
  • Is Video Game Violence the Cause of Juvenile Delinquency?
  • Psychological Effects of Video Game Violence on Children
  • What Is the Defining Business and Economic Characteristics of the Video Game Console Industry?
  • Why Play Station 4 and the Xbox One Are the Kings of the Next Generation Video Game Console?
  • What Makes A Video Game Addictive?
  • Competition Among 3 Main Video Game Companies: Nintendo, Sega, And Sony
  • Brief Note On Video Gaming And The Video Game Industry
  • Effects of Television and Video Game Violence on Children and Teenagers
  • Analysis of the Different Genres of Video Game Systems for Children
  • Overview of the Process and Career in Video Game Design
  • Development of the Elder Scrolls Video Game Series
  • Breaking Gender Stereotypes in Traditionally Masculine Sports: The Inclusion of Women in FIFA 16 Video Game
  • Cancer: Video Game and Playing Violent Video
  • Fighting the Online Video Game Wars in China
  • Government Regulation Of Video Game Violence Is Unconstitutional And Unnecessary
  • Japanese video game industry
  • History of the Video Game Industry
  • Microsoft Xbox Entering the World of Video Game
  • The Merchant of Video Games: Adapting the Merchant of Venice into an Adventure Game
  • What Are Some Revolutionary Breakthroughs in the Video Game Industry?
  • What Does It Take To Make It in the Video Games Industry?
  • Why Has the Video Game Industry Exploded Recently?
  • What Is Wrong With the Video Game Industry in This Generation?
  • Is the Video Game Industry Going Downhill?
  • Who Is the Best Voice Actor in the Video Game Industry?
  • What Will Be the Next Breakthrough or “Big Thing” in the Video Game Industry?
  • Is the Video Game Industry in Trouble Right Now?
  • Who Makes More Money: Hollywood or the Video Game Industry?
  • How Has the Coronavirus Impacted the Video Game Industry?
  • What Is the Biggest Missed Opportunity Yet in the Video Game Industry?
  • Does Video Game Violence Induce Negative Affects on Our Youth?
  • What Are the Changes the Video Game Industry Needs?
  • How Large Is the Video Game Industry?
  • Why Is the Video Game Industry in China Dominated by MMOs?
  • Is There a Bubble Forming in the Video Game Industry?
  • What Do Video Game Players Understand That Most People Don’t?
  • How Easy Is It to Make a Video Game?
  • What’s the Best Advice You’ve Received From a Video Game?
  • What Was the First Video Game?
  • What Is the Most Inappropriate Video Game You Know?
  • What Are the Elements of a Good Video Game?
  • How Much Does It Cost to Develop a Video Game?
  • What Can Video Game Consoles Offer You?
  • Why Video Game Addiction Is One of the Urgent Problems Today?
  • How Does Science Create Video Game?
  • How the 1970s Sparked the Video Game Industry?
  • Why Do Video Game Movies Always Fail?
  • What’s the Most Popular Video Game Genre?
  • The Science Behind Brain-Boosting Games
  • How Gaming Reflects and Influences Society
  • How Video Games Participate in Social Justice
  • Pros and Cons of Gamified Fitness and Wellness Apps
  • Gamification, Its Benefits, and Learning Outcomes
  • Virtual Goods in Video Games and Their Real-World Value
  • What Factors Influence Immersion and Player Engagement?
  • Cloud Gaming and the Potential of Streaming Technology
  • Market Trends and Revenue Models of the Video Game Industry
  • Violence, Microtransactions, and Other Ethical Issues in Video Game Development
  • Chicago (A-D)
  • Chicago (N-B)

IvyPanda. (2023, December 27). 110 Video Game Topic Ideas for Essays & Examples. https://ivypanda.com/essays/topic/video-game-essay-topics/

"110 Video Game Topic Ideas for Essays & Examples." IvyPanda , 27 Dec. 2023, ivypanda.com/essays/topic/video-game-essay-topics/.

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IvyPanda . "110 Video Game Topic Ideas for Essays & Examples." December 27, 2023. https://ivypanda.com/essays/topic/video-game-essay-topics/.

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122 Video Games Research Paper Topics For Students

Oct 6, 2022

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Oct 6, 2022 | Topics

Video games are a big part of our lives, just like political science, and they have been since the early days. Even with all that gaming available to us, there’s still something about a classic game that keeps us coming back for more. This is why we’ve decided to put together a list of 100 video game research paper topics.

The best video games research paper topics are those you’re passionate about. If you know how to write a video games research paper , it needs to be something that interests you and inspires you to write. The more the topic interests and inspires you, the easier it will be for you to write a good one.

When selecting your topic, make sure it’s something that has enough information available on it so that there is no need for any additional research beyond what has already been done on the subject matter.

Video Games Argumentative Essay Topics For Students

Best Video Games Research Paper Topics

  • The History of Video Games
  • How Video Games Affect the Brain
  • The Psychology Behind Video Games
  • Why Do We Play Video Games?
  • How to Make Money with Your Gaming Skills
  • How to Improve Your Gaming Skills
  • What Makes a Good Game?
  • How to Choose the Right Gaming Computer
  • How to Clean Your PC and Keep It Running Smoothly
  • The Psychology of Video Game Design Masturbation: Let’s Talk About It
  • The Psychology of Gaming Addiction
  • How to Improve Your Gaming Skills What Makes a Good Game?

Interesting Video Games Research Paper Topics

  • The Impact of Video Games on Children’s Development
  • The Effects of Violent Video Games on the Brain
  • How Does a Gamer’s Body Impact Their Gaming Experience?
  • How Do Gamers Use Interactive Fiction to Explore Human Nature?
  • How Does Video Games Impact the Brain?
  • How Do Children Use Video Games to Explore Social Issues?
  • Can Video Games Change Society for the Better?
  • How Do Mobile Apps Affect Our Lives as a Whole?
  • How Do Video Games Affect Our Emotions?
  • What Is the Relationship Between Video Games and Social Media?
  • Can Video Games Help People With Special Needs ?
  • How Does Technology Affect our Brain Health?

Simple Video Games Research Paper Topics

  • Simple Video Games – A Definition and Explanation
  • How to Create Your Own Game
  • The Way Children Play Video Games Nowadays and Their Favorite Types of Games.
  • What is the Most Popular Type of Game?
  • Who Creates These Games?
  • What is the Difference Between Video Games and Real Life?
  • How Are Video Games Used in Education?
  • Can Video Games Be Addictive?
  • What are the Effects of Violent Video Games on Children’s Behavior?
  • How Do You Feel About Video Games?
  • What is the Future of Video Games?
  • What Can Be Done to Reduce the Amount of Time Kids Spend Playing Video Games?
  • How Do We Know If a Child Is Too Addicted to Playing Video Games?
  • Should Children Play Violent Video Games?
  • Are Any Benefits of Playing Violent Video Games on Children’s Behavior and Learning Abilities?

Controversial Video Games Research Paper Topics

  • Video Games and Violence
  • Video Games and Addiction
  • Video Games in the Classroom
  • The Effects of Violent Video Games on Children and Adolescents
  • Obesity, Diabetes, Cancer, and Heart Disease as a Result of Game Play
  • How to Make You’re Playing Time More Productive With These Tips From Experts
  • Benefits of Gaming: Why Gamers Can Be Happier Than Non-Gamers
  • Why is Playing Video Games Good for Your Mental Health?
  • Does Technology Destroy Creativity?: How to Avoid Becoming a Cyber Zombie?
  • How to Use Video Games to Improve Your Self-Esteem?
  • How Can You Avoid Becoming Addicted To Video Games?:
  • The Benefits of Playing Video Games
  • 10 Ways Gaming Can Make You Smarter
  • Why It’s Important To Maintain A Healthy Diet While Playing Video Games
  • Is Gaming Bad For Your Eyes?
  • How To Become More Productive By Playing Video Games
  • How to Make Your Playing Time More Productive

Compare and Contrast Video Games Research Paper Topics

  • Compare and contrast the stories of two video games based on the same universe
  • Compare and contrast different types of mini-games in video games
  • Compare and contrast the game design styles of two different developers (for example, Nintendo vs Sega)
  • Which video game series improved gameplay over its sequels? Explain your reasoning with examples from each title in the series.
  • Which video game series has the best story?
  • Which video game world do you think is most likely to be real? Why?
  • Compare and contrast the gameplay of two different video games within the same genre.
  • Which video game is better? Why?
  • Which video game has the best story? Why?
  • Which video game is more fun to play? Why?
  • Compare and contrast different types of mini-games in video games.
  • Which game developer do you think creates better games? Why?
  • Compare augmented reality with virtual reality in gaming

Video Games Research Paper Topics for Kids

  • Video Game Addiction: Is it a Real Problem?
  • The History of Video Games, Past and Present
  • The Benefits of Playing Video Games to Children’s Development
  • How to Choose the Best Educational Toys for Your Child’s Development
  • Video Games Research Paper Topics for Middle School
  • How to play video games?
  • What are the best video games of 2020?
  • What is the difference between online and offline gaming?
  • How to make your own video game?
  • What are the popular gaming trends in 2020? *Top 10 Video Game Trends In The United States Of America*
  • What is a pirated game and how can we avoid it when playing online video games or downloading apps on our phones/tablets/laptops etc.?
  • Why did I lose my score while playing Mario Kart 8 Deluxe on Nintendo Switch?

Video Games Research Paper Topics for High School

  • Video Games Are a Waste of Time.
  • What is the Best Gaming Platform?
  • Which is Your Favorite Game and Why?
  • Discuss the Benefits of Having a Gaming Console in the Home.
  • Do You Have an Xbox, PlayStation or Wii? Why Didn’t You Choose The Other One?
  • Video Games Are A Great Way to Socialize. How Do They Help You Connect With Friends and Family Members?
  • What Are Your Favorite Types of Video Games?
  • What Are Some Fun Things You Have Done While Playing Video Games?
  • What Does Your Family Say About Your Gaming Habits? How Do They Feel About It?
  • What Would You Tell Someone Who Doesn’t Understand Why You Play Video Games?

Video Games Research Paper Topics for College

  • Video Game Violence and Its Effects on Children
  • The Role of Women in the Video Game Industry
  • How Technology is Affecting Our Relationship with Games
  • The History of Video Game Development
  • Why Do People Play Violent Games?
  • How Technology Is Changing Our Relationship with Games
  • The Role of computer games and its impacts on Society
  • How Do People Interact with Each Other and the Environment in a Virtual World?
  • The Effect of Violent Video Games on Youth
  • What Are the Benefits of Playing Video Games?

Video Games Research Paper Questions

  • What was the first video game ever made? What made it so special at that time?
  • How have different generations of gamers interacted with different types of technology over time (e.g., arcades vs consoles) or even between generations (e.g., Millennials vs Generation Z)?
  • What is the biggest video game ever made?
  • How does playing video games affect your brain?
  • What are some of the most important technological advancements in gaming over time?
  • How have different cultures worldwide responded to new types of technology, such as video games?
  • What is the history behind classic games like Pac-Man, Space Invaders and Donkey Kong?

Get our Essay Writing Help with your Video Games Research Paper

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This article lists some of the best research paper topics for kids, middle school and high school students. These topics will help students better understand video games and write a good essay on this topic. Choosing your topic wisely before you start writing is important, as it can make or break your research paper. So, if you are looking for some interesting ideas, we have covered them all here!

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With a passion for education and student empowerment, I create blog content that speaks directly to the needs and interests of students. From study hacks and productivity tips to career exploration and personal development

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105 Interesting Video Game Research Topics and Ideas

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Are you searching for the latest video game research topics and ideas? If yes, then take a look at this blog post. On different themes, here, we have presented a list of 100+ outstanding video game essay topics and research paper ideas for school and college students. Explore the entire blog and pick any topic that suits you the most.

Basically, the video game is one of the hot and trending topics among youngsters. Even out of their love for video games, some students even pursue a course in game development and develop a career in it. Also, certain students and gaming enthusiasts who have strong hardware knowledge and coding skills work on innovative game development projects for their computer science assignments. Suppose, you are a school student, then for your communication assignments, you can choose to debate or write an essay on video games and their impacts.

No matter, what the purpose is, for your assignments, you can pick any video game research or essay topic based on your preference.

Know How to Write a Video Game Research Paper

Video Game Research Topics

Before we move to the list of video game research paper topics, first, let us understand the best way to write a video game essay or a research paper.

In the academic paper writing process, topic selection is the initial step. So, search and find out an ideal topic on video games. Next after choosing a topic, go ahead and compose a customized research paper. The following are the key points that you need to remember when writing an essay or a research paper on video games.

  • Before you begin writing your research paper, always sketch an outline by including essential components such as the introduction, body, and conclusion as per the 5-paragraph structure.
  • Make sure you conduct an in-depth study on the subject and collect reliable facts.
  • In the introductory part include a powerful thesis statement relevant to your topic along with brief background information.
  • Start each body paragraph with a distinct statement and then provide evidence for it. Avoid addressing more than one significant concept in a paragraph.
  • Don’t forget to cite all of your sources in the References section.
  • Remember, your video game research paper should be concise and meaningful. So, when writing the paper, put your points in a clear and logical manner. Never add unnecessary details in your paper because it may confuse your readers.
  • Make sure your vocabulary and grammar are flawless. To ensure you receive a high grade, proofread and edit your work.

Also Recommended: Excellent Journalism Research Topics and Ideas

List of Latest Video Game Research Topics

For your convenience, in this section, we have listed 100+ excellent video game research paper topics and ideas. Go through them all and select any topic that matches your requirements.

Simple and Easy Video Game Research Topics

The following are some simple video game research paper topics that you can consider for your assignments.

  • Write about the history of video games.
  • Discuss the myths of video game violence.
  • Explain how multiplayer games affect social interaction.
  • Analyze the global phenomenon of e-sports.
  • Write about the diversity and gender representation in video games.
  • Explain how video games influence cognitive skills.
  • Discuss the history of video game consoles.
  • Analyze healthy gaming habits against video game addiction.
  • Investigate video game advertisements.
  • Analyze the video game industry.
  • Discuss the process of video game design.
  • Analyze the different genres of video game systems for children.
  • Write about the Japanese Video Game Industry.
  • Discuss the arrival of Microsoft Xbox in the video game industry.
  • Compare the competition among the popular video game companies such as Sony, Nintendo, and Sega.

Best Video Game Research Questions

The list of video game research ideas suggested below will be useful to you.

  • Discuss the revolutionary breakthroughs in the video game field.
  • Explain how corona virus has affected the video game industry.
  • Write about the biggest missed opportunity in the video game industry.
  • Discuss the changes the video game industry wants.
  • Explain the key elements of a good video game.
  • Analyze the science behind brain-boosting video games.
  • Discuss the pros and cons of gamified fitness and wellness apps.
  • Write about cloud gaming and streaming technology.
  • What is an MMORPG video game?
  • Analyze the psychology behind modern video games.
  • Write about cyber sports and video game championships.
  • Compare FPS and RPG games.
  • Analyze the gaming industry in a country of your choice.
  • Research gun violence in modern video games.
  • Analyze the launch of a popular game.

Interesting Video Game Essay Prompts

Listed below are some captivating essay prompts related to video games that will help you fetch an A+ grade.

  • Discuss the history and evolution of video games.
  • Analyze the impact of video game violence on society.
  • Discuss the positive effects of video games on children.
  • Explain the role of video games in promoting physical activity.
  • Analyze the influence of video games on culture and society.
  • Discuss the use of video games in education and training.
  • Analyze the future of virtual reality in video games.
  • Explain the impact of e-sports on the gaming industry.
  • Discuss the use of video games in medical treatment.
  • Analyze the effects of streaming on the gaming culture.

Also Recommended: Best Forensic Science Research Topics for Students

Top Video Game Research Topics

To craft a high-quality research paper, you can use any of the video game research ideas suggested below.

  • Write about the history of online gaming.
  • Research the increase in demand for video games.
  • Compare Android games vs. iOS games.
  • List the most anticipated video games of 2023.
  • Discuss the ethical responsibility in the gaming industry.
  • Compare and contrast the Xbox and the PlayStation.
  • Write about the popularity of Candy Crush.
  • Discuss the technology behind the Xbox 4.
  • What are incremental console upgrades?
  • Explain the importance of video games in treating depression
  • Research and write about the inclusivity in video games.
  • Discuss government regulation of video games in the US.
  • What do modern video games promote?
  • How important are video games for our society?
  • What makes video games so fun and addictive?

Excellent Video Game Essay Topics

The following are some awesome topics on video games that you can consider for composing a detailed essay.

  • Discuss the importance of video games in special education settings.
  • Write about the advanced SFX effects used in video games.
  • Discuss online piracy related to video games.
  • Write about 3D game rendering technologies.
  • Discuss the pros and cons of playing assassin video games.
  • Explain the role of a developer in the video game industry.
  • Discuss the latest and most advanced video game effects.
  • Compare the 3 most popular games in the United States in 2023.
  • Analyze the Counter-Strike Video Game Phenomenon.
  • Discuss the Aspects of Video Game Development.
  • Explain how science has contributed to the creation of video games.
  • Choose a gaming technology and explain its working.
  • Compare augmented reality with virtual reality in gaming
  • Explain why video game censoring is important
  • Explain how video games kill creativity

Outstanding Video Game Research Ideas

To compose your academic paper, you can pick any of the research topics on video games recommended here.

  • Explain the impact of the video game industry on local economies.
  • Analyze the evolution of game design and mechanics in video games.
  • Write about the history and influence of classic video game franchises.
  • Explain the impact of video games on problem-solving skills.
  • Discuss how different types of video games affect spatial reasoning skills.
  • Analyze the Field Work Project and the Topic of a Video Game Community.
  • Explain how different game design elements impact player attitudes.
  • How do video games impact risk-taking behavior?
  • Explain how video games be used to promote sustainability.
  • Analyze how video games impact racial stereotypes in society.
  • Write about the intersection of music and gaming, including video game soundtracks.
  • Discuss the business plan of an online video game store.
  • Analyze the strategies of marketing video games.
  • Write about the fighting online video game wars in China.
  • Compare the different versions of FIFA football simulation video games.
  • Write about bio war video game project management.
  • Analyze the Medal of Honor video game.
  • Discuss the development of the Elder Scrolls Video Game Series.
  • Analyze Free Will in The Stanley Parable Video Game.
  • Explain why the video game industry has exploded.

Also Recommended: Best Sustainability Research Topics for Students

Trending Video Game Research Paper Topics

The following are some brand-new video game research topics that will be helpful for you in crafting a well-structured academic paper.

  • Discuss the use of video games in advertising and marketing in 2023.
  • Explain the history and impact of gaming conventions on the industry and community.
  • Analyze the impact of video games on decision-making abilities.
  • Discuss the history and impact of arcade games on gaming culture.
  • Analyze the impact of gaming consoles in the video game industry.
  • Explain the impact of speed running on the gaming community and industry.
  • Discuss the biggest social problems related to video gaming.
  • Discuss the trend of gamers as designers.
  • What makes Pragmata a game of the future?
  • Discuss the innovative graphics in Halo Infinite.
  • Explain how to improve reaction time in FPS games.
  • Discuss how to Tackle the violence theme in video games
  • Describe the features that make a game educational vs. entertainment.
  • Compare educational games today vs. 10 or 20 years ago.
  • Explain how testing is being carried out on video games.

Wrapping Up

Out of the 100+ video game research and essay topics suggested above, feel free to choose any topic and compose a detailed academic paper. In case, you need any other innovative research topics on video games or if you need an expert to offer you help with writing your assignments on video games, contact us right away. As per your needs, the skilled assignment helpers on our team will provide you with cheap and the best assignment help on any topic related to video games. Moreover, by getting assistance from our subject professionals, you can also complete your academic work ahead of the deadline and achieve the highest possible grades.

So, why are you still waiting? Simply utilize our video game research paper help service online and enjoy the numerous benefits it offers. Remember, getting essay help from our scholars will also help you submit error-free and plagiarism-free papers.

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117 Original Video Game Research Topics That Are Very Cool

video game research topics

Stop wasting your time searching all over the Internet for unique video game research topics! You can find 117 original video game topic ideas right here on this page. And yes, you can use these topics for free without even having to give us any credit. In fact, we have just finished updating the list of topics for 2023. This means that you will be able to find dozens of unique topic ideas that will give you an advantage over your classmates. In addition to the interesting topics, we also have 7 helpful tips, tricks and advice on how to write a video game essay or research paper faster. Let’s get started!

Finishing Your Video Game Essay On Time

However, finding excellent video game topics quickly is not enough, especially when you are on a tight deadline. There are many other things you can do to finish your paper on time. To make sure you complete the assignment on time, you should follow our tips, tricks and advice.

Start early. Give yourself enough time to research and write your essay. Don’t wait until the last possible minute to start writing the paper. Make sure you understand the requirements and scope of your essay topic. Stay focused and avoid wasting your limited time. Break down the task. Divide the essay into smaller parts, such as researching, outlining, writing, and editing. This will help you manage your time better and avoid being overwhelmed. Create a timeline. Develop a timeline that includes all the various things you need to do to write the paper and set a deadline for each one. Prioritize. Determine which parts of the paper are most important and work on them first. Make effective use of your energy. Use credible (primary) sources. This way you won’t have to go back and correct various parts of the paper due to problems with your sources. Create an outline of your essay before you start. This will help you organize your thoughts and save time by avoiding the need to revise and rearrange your work later.

Now that you know how to be more efficient, it’s time to give you some topics that will help you write an exceptional paper in no time:

Easy Video Games Topics

Don’t want to spend too much time writing the essay? No problem, just choose one of our easy video games topics:

  • The history and evolution of video games.
  • The positive effects of video games on children.
  • The impact of video game violence on society.
  • The benefits of playing video games for cognitive development.
  • The use of video games in education and training.
  • The role of video games in promoting physical activity.
  • The psychology of video game addiction and its effects.
  • The influence of video games on culture and society.
  • The future of virtual reality in video games.
  • The use of video games as a treatment for mental health issues.
  • The ethical considerations of video game development and production.

Interesting Video Game Topics To Write About

Our experts have put together a list of the most interesting video game topics to write about. Check out the list below:

  • Gender representation and diversity in video games.
  • The impact of esports on the gaming industry.
  • The relationship between video games and storytelling.
  • Cultural significance of popular video game franchises.
  • The role of video games in socialization and relationships.
  • The effects of streaming on the gaming culture.
  • The potential negative effects of excessive video game playing.
  • The use of video games in medical treatment.
  • The evolution of game design and mechanics in video games.
  • The impact of the video game industry on local economies.

Current Gaming Topics

If you want to talk about topics that are relevant today, you can simply select one of our current gaming topics. You can find them right here:

  • The rise of esports and professional gaming leagues
  • The ongoing debate around video game addiction
  • The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the gaming industry
  • Loot boxes and micro transactions: controversies
  • The increasing popularity of mobile gaming
  • The emergence of cloud gaming platforms
  • The debate around video game violence and its effects
  • The role of gaming in learning
  • The rise of indie game developers and their impact
  • Talk about augmented reality in gaming in 2023
  • The importance of inclusivity in gaming

Video Game Research Paper Topics

Writing a research paper on a topic related to video games doesn’t have to be difficult. Here are some simple video game research paper topics:

  • The impact of video games on problem-solving skills
  • Violent video games and aggressive behavior
  • Using video games for teaching in the classroom in 2023
  • The influence of video game design on player engagement
  • The impact of online gaming communities on social interaction
  • The role of video games in promoting physical activity
  • The potential for video games to enhance mental health
  • The effects of video games on attention span
  • The use of video games in therapy
  • Video game addiction and compulsive behavior

Video Game Research Questions

We have some of the most thought-provoking video game research questions on the Internet right here for you:

  • How do different game design elements impact player attitude?
  • What is the role of video games in shaping cultural identity?
  • How do different types of video games affect spatial reasoning skills?
  • What is the relationship between video games and creativity?
  • How do video games impact risk-taking behavior?
  • What is the impact of video games on academic performance?
  • How do video games affect emotional intelligence?
  • How can video games be used to promote sustainability?
  • What is the impact of video game marketing on consumer behavior?
  • How do video games impact racial stereotypes in society?
  • What ethical considerations should be taken into account when designing video games?

video game research topics

Video Game Writing Prompts

Don’t know what to write the essay about? Don’t worry about it; we’ve got your back. Check out these video game writing prompts:

  • Write a short story based on the world of “The Elder Scrolls. Skyrim.”
  • Imagine a new planet for the “Mass Effect” series and describe it.
  • Write a fanfiction piece that explores the backstory of “Overwatch” hero, Soldier. 76.
  • Create a character in “Fallout 4” and write a journal entry from their perspective.
  • Write a screenplay for a movie based on “The Last of Us.”
  • Develop a new quest line for “World of Warcraft” and outline the story.
  • Write a short story that takes place in the universe of “Halo.”
  • Imagine an alternate ending to “BioShock Infinite” and write it out.
  • Create a poem inspired by the themes and imagery of “Journey.”
  • Write a story set in the post-apocalyptic world of “Horizon Zero Dawn.”
  • Develop a backstory for the character of Clementine in “The Walking Dead” game series.

Video Games Debate Topics

Preparing for a heated debate? You need a good topic, of course. Check out these interesting video games debate topics:

  • Are video games really a form of art?
  • Is the portrayal of violence in video games harmful?
  • Are loot boxes and micro transactions in video games ethical?
  • Is it fair for video games to include difficulty levels in 2023?
  • Are video games responsible for addiction and compulsive behavior?
  • Should video games be used as a tool for educational purposes?
  • Is it appropriate to censor or ban video games?
  • Should video game companies be held accountable for their content?
  • Is the portrayal of women in video games sexist?
  • Are remastered video games worth the investment?
  • Is streaming video games on platforms like Twitch a viable career?

Informative Gaming Topics To Talk About

If you’re looking for some informative gaming topics to talk about, you’re in luck. We have some for you:

  • The evolution of gaming technology and graphics
  • The rise of esports and competitive gaming
  • The history and influence of classic video game franchises
  • The future of virtual and augmented reality gaming
  • The psychology of video game addiction and how to combat it
  • The cultural significance and representation in video games
  • The intersection of music and gaming, including video game soundtracks
  • The rise of mobile gaming and its influence on the gaming market
  • The history and impact of multiplayer gaming and online communities
  • The design and development process of creating a video game

Engaging Topic Ideas Related To Video Games

These unique, engaging topic ideas related to video games will surely win you some bonus points from you professor:

  • Write a script for a TV show set in the world of “Assassin’s Creed.”
  • Create a new playable character for “Street Fighter” and describe their moves and backstory.
  • Write a novella that explores the mystery of “Firewatch.”
  • Develop a plot for a new “Red Dead Redemption” DLC.
  • Write a short story inspired by the characters of “Life is Strange.”
  • Imagine a 2023 sequel to “Breath of the Wild” and outline the plot.
  • Write a screenplay for a movie based on “Half-Life.”
  • Create a new creature for the world of “Monster Hunter” and describe its behavior and habitat.
  • Write a story that takes place in the world of “Dark Souls.”
  • Develop a new puzzle game concept and describe its gameplay and mechanics.
  • Write a fanfiction piece that explores the relationship between Ellie and Dina in “The Last of Us Part II.”

Fun Video Game Topic Ideas

Writing a paper on a fun topic is a sure way to get noticed. Take a look at some of these fun video game topic ideas:

  • Rank the best video game soundtracks in games from 2020 to 2023
  • Discuss the funniest video game glitches and bugs
  • Explore the history of video game consoles and their evolution
  • Create the ultimate video game character (talk about their abilities)
  • Choose the most iconic video game weapons and discuss their uses
  • Debate the best video game crossover events
  • Examine the most impressive speedruns in video game history
  • Identify the most challenging video game bosses and discuss strategies to beat them
  • Rank the most immersive video game worlds and environments
  • Celebrate the most memorable moments in video game history.

Best Video Games Topic Ideas

Want to write your paper on an original topic idea? Below you can find what we consider to be some of the best video games topic ideas:

  • The use of video games in advertising and marketing in 2023
  • The history and impact of gaming consoles on the industry
  • The role of video games in fostering creativity and imagination
  • The history and impact of speedrunning on the gaming community and industry
  • The ethics of video game content and censorship
  • The history and impact of arcade games on gaming culture
  • The impact of video games on spatial reasoning and navigation skills
  • The psychology of character development and player identification in video games
  • The role of video games in exploring and experiencing new cultures and worlds
  • The impact of video games on decision-making abilities
  • The history and impact of gaming conventions on the industry and community

No matter what topic you’ve chosen, our professional writers ready to write a research paper for you. Just hire a professional writer and  buy a research paper to easly get a good grade. 

Get Affordable Video Game Research Paper Help

Our team of experts is ready to jump in and give you the most affordable video game research paper help online. No more googling “ write my research paper ” anymore! Get a high quality custom essay or research paper for any class in as little as 3 hours. High school, college and university students can count on us to impress their teachers with outstanding papers on a wide variety of subjects and topics. Get reliable writing help using our secure platform and improve your GPA in no time. Our writers have extensive experience writing compelling academic content that any professor will appreciate. If you are a student who wants to get more free time every week, leave the essay writing to us. So, if you need some more original video games research paper topics or if you want to get a good essay written for you today, contact our team.

What are some gaming topics? Some more interesting gaming topics could be ideas like: psychological affect of games on young children (can also work for psychology term paper writing), developments in gaming software and design, the impact early video games have had on the gaming world today, or a look over important personalities in gaming. Can I get help writing my video games paper? Yes! It is always advisable to ask for help if you are struggling. Even a seemingly fun and interesting topic like video gaming can become overwhelming and a challenge to write about. So you can definitely get online paper writing help while you yourself enjoy playing games instead of writing about them! What is the biggest problem in the gaming industry? There are a few major problems in the gaming industry, however the most current and important one at the moment is labor conditions and economic compensation for gaming industry workers. Gaming is a difficult industry where professionals are constantly working over average hours.

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Video Games Research Paper Topics

  • Good Video Games Research Paper Topics
  • Interesting Video Games Research Paper Topics

Video Games Research Paper Topics for College Students

Video games research paper topics for high school students, ✒️ good video games research paper topics.

  • Violent Video Games Contribute To Youth Violence?
  • Violence In Video Gamess
  • Video Games Do Not Cause Violence
  • Video Games Consoles: Ps3 And Xbox 360
  • Video Games And Violence Speech
  • Video Games And Violence
  • Video Games Affect The Brain
  • Video Game Violence Research Paper Video
  • Video Game Violence Research Paper Gorefest
  • Video Game Industry
  • Video Game And Young People
  • Video Game Addiction
  • The Wii: Nintendo’S Video Game Revolution
  • The Video Game Industry Competition
  • The Negative Effects Of Video Games
  • The Impact Of Video Games On Children
  • The Effects Of Video Games On The Heart
  • The Bad Effects That Video Games Have On Children
  • Speech On Video Game Violence
  • Some People Regard Video Games As…

Popular Questions

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✨ Best video games Topic Ideas & Essay Examples

  • A Critique of “Do Video Games Kill?” Sample In the essay “Do Video Games Kill? ” Karen Sternheimer takes on the subject of the media’s influence on adolescent and adolescent force in America. She focuses chiefly on video games peculiarly the late popular “first-person shooter” games (p. 204 )…..
  • Violence and Video Games “The Columbine shooters played violent video games; that has to be a factor in their decision to brutally murder their classmates!” Society is quick to point fingers and approach unknown situations with a causal mentality that often results in a ….
  • Video Games Cause Aggressive Behavior Argumentative Essay In today’s economy, I believe that violent video games do promote violent and more aggressive behavior amongst our children. Parents need to step up and monitor what type of video games their kids are playing. You never know ….
  • The Impact of Video Games The author continues to emphasis that on utilitarian grounds that video games provides billions of hours to millions of people of fun and entertainment evidently outweighing the potential harm it can cause. In addition to the positives, gaming fuels ….
  • Do Video Games Lead to Violence? President Donald Trump said Thursday during a White House meeting on school safety that the nation needs to address what young people are seeing. ‘I’m hearing more and more people saying the level of violence on video games is really shaping young ….
  • Are Video Games Good for You A typical story told by parents is that staring at the TV too long can ruin your eyes or watching SpongeBob or any other cartoons make you dumber to steer their children from consuming hours of TV. People invest more time looking at screens from ….
  • Video Games vs Cinema Resident Evil is a multimillion-dollar production, from video games, to movies, this take on the modern-day plague, opened the door to many branches off undead productions. Resident Evil is noted to be one of the best video games of all time. It is ….
  • Do Video Games Make You More Violent “I know, it’s hard to wrap your head around such a fact of after years of listening to ‘don’t sit too close to the TV, you’ll ruin your eyes,’ or ‘stop wasting your time playing video games—go outside!(https://www.idtech.com/blog/video-games-are-….
  • Video Games and Attentional Control The video game industry is thriving like never before. According to a 2018 study, 60% of Americans report playing video games daily (Entertainment Software Association, 2015). Red Dead Redemption 2, released by Rockstar Games in October of 2018, ….
  • Analysis of the Attractiveness of Video Games To determine the attractiveness of the video game business, PEST analysis, and Porter’s five forces will be used. PEST analysis will be used to analyse the external environment of the video game business faced by Tencent and the industry. Tencent is ….
  • Why Would Video Games Hurt Have video games ever hurt you? Have they ever hurt someone you love? If you answered no, then the article “Do Video Games Inspire Violent Behavior” By Gregg Toppo got its point across. This article mainly how horrible behavior from kids comes from ….
  • Violent Video Games Should Be Banned Almost every child enjoys playing video games as it acts as a source of entertainment. However, as time passed by vicious contents are now being portrayed through gaming that dehumanizes children and encourages in promoting violent behavior. Parents ….
  • Video Games and Why They Should Not be Regulated This paper will discuss how video games are regulated by the rating system, how violent video games encourage regulations, the positive effects of playing video games, how parents can bond with their children using video games and … Video games have ….
  • Are Violent Video Games Really That Bad for You A lot of people play video games these days. You can look at people of many and different ages, religions, backgrounds, race, and economic scale. New apps and video games are being created each and every day. This generation meaning millennials and ….
  • Some People Regard Video Games As Some people regard video games as harmless fun, or even as a useful educational tool. Others, however, believe that videos games are having an adverse effect on the people who play them. In your opinion, do the drawbacks of video games outweigh the ….
  • Essay – Violence in Video Games There is a growing phenomenon that threatens our safety every minute.Violent video games are causing our children to be aggressive monsters.If we allow these games to continue, there will be more school shootings and more mad men with weapons…..
  • Violent Video Games Leading to Criminal Behavior Violent video games and its effect on gamers has been a debatable topic for decades. Although scientists have not came up with an official answer, many people have different opinions on where they stand in the argument. Many people believe violent ….
  • Video Games Are Good to Educate Throughout the history of gaming there has always been a stigma. The stigma is that games are bad for the youth and do not teach them anything necessary to further their development. A lot of individuals feel as though games are a waste of time and ….
  • Favorite Heroines of Female Video Games If you were to ask many video game enthusiasts about their favorite female video game heroines, the answers you’d get would be very varied – some will say Lara Croft of the Tomb Raider series, others say Alyx from the Half-Life series, few say Jade ….
  • Violent Video Games and their Positive Effects How many times a day do our children ask us for something and we so quickly reply, “No” without second guessing it or even listening to the whole question? A million and one times, right? Most children play video games, and regardless of how we ….

✍ Interesting Video Games Research Paper Topics

  • Social And Ethical Issues Of Video Games
  • Rhetorical Analysis Of Video Game Violence
  • Research Paper- Benefits Of Video Games
  • Psychological Effects Of Video Game Violence On Children
  • Production Of Non-Educational Video Games Should Be Banneds
  • Positive Effects Of Video Games
  • Persuasive Speech – Benefits Of Video Game
  • Effect Of Violent Video Games
  • Comparison And Contrast Two Video Games
  • Argumentative-Video Game Violence
  • Argument Parents And Video Games
  • Are Video Games Influencing Our Children
  • A Critique Of “Do Video Games Kill?”
  • A Controversial Topic of Video Games as a Cause of Violence
  • A Journey Through Digital Literature: Hidden Literature and Literary Criticism in Video Games
  • A Positive Impact of Video Games on People
  • A Study of The Psychological Affects of Video Games on Children and Young Adults
  • Advantages and Disadvantages of Video Games
  • An Enduring Debate on ‘Do Video Games Cause Violence’
  • An Issue of Violence in Video Games
  • Analysis of How Video Games Cause Violence Among Teenagers
  • Answering The Question on Whether Video Games Cause Violence Or not
  • Benefits and Detriments of Playing Video Games
  • Benefits of Video Games in Terms of Learning and Exercising
  • Children’s Addiction to Video Games
  • Critical Analysis of Robert Eberts’ Article Video Games Can Never Be Art
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Harmful Effects of Video Games

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Advantages and Disadvantages of Video Games

Risk factors of video games addiction, timeline of video games development, how video games can shape our brains and behavior, pros and cons of video games, benefits of video games for children, influence of video games on health, the social impact of video games on children, effect of video games on people's moods, influence of violence in video games, psychological effects of video games on children and young adults, stop blaming video games, benefits and detriments of playing video games, discussion on whether video games are bad or good for us, statement that video games cause violence is a misconception, the panic over video games violence in today's society, negative effects of video games on health, investigation of whether video games cause violence in children, the effects of excessive time playing video games on children, interacting with media: how video games have influenced storytelling.

Video games are interactive electronic entertainment forms that involve player participation through the use of digital interfaces, such as gaming consoles, computers, or mobile devices. They encompass a wide range of virtual experiences that combine elements of storytelling, competition, and problem-solving. Video games often feature dynamic visuals, immersive audio, and engaging gameplay mechanics, allowing players to control and navigate virtual environments, characters, or objects.

The origin of video games can be traced back to the mid-20th century when scientists and engineers began exploring the possibilities of interactive electronic entertainment. One of the earliest examples is "Tennis for Two," created by physicist William Higinbotham in 1958, which simulated a game of tennis on an oscilloscope. However, it was in the 1970s and 1980s that video games gained significant popularity and commercial success. The release of the arcade game "Pong" in 1972 by Atari marked a turning point in the history of video games. It sparked the arcade gaming phenomenon and laid the foundation for the industry's growth. The subsequent release of home consoles like the Atari 2600 and the introduction of personal computers further expanded the accessibility and reach of video games. The 1980s and 1990s witnessed the emergence of iconic video game franchises such as Super Mario Bros., The Legend of Zelda, and Sonic the Hedgehog. Rapid advancements in technology led to improved graphics, sound, and gameplay mechanics. The introduction of CDs and CD-ROMs in the 1990s allowed for more complex and immersive gaming experiences. In recent years, video games have become an integral part of mainstream culture and a booming industry, surpassing the film and music industries in terms of revenue.

Shigeru Miyamoto: Known as the "Father of Modern Video Games," Miyamoto is the creator of iconic franchises such as Super Mario, The Legend of Zelda, and Donkey Kong. Gabe Newell: As the co-founder of Valve Corporation and creator of the Steam platform, Newell has played a significant role in the digital distribution of games. Steam revolutionized the way games are purchased, downloaded, and played, greatly influencing the PC gaming market. Markus Persson (Notch): Persson is the creator of Minecraft, one of the best-selling video games of all time. Minecraft's sandbox-style gameplay and open-ended world have captured the imagination of millions of players worldwide.

Action (Fighting, Platform, Shooter, Survival, Battle royale), Action-adventure (Stealth, Survival horror), Adventure (Interactive fiction, Interactive movie, Visual novel), Gacha, Horror, Masocore, Massively multiplayer online, Role-playing (Action role-playing, Tactical role-playing), Simulation (Construction and management, Life simulation, Sports, Vehicle), Strategy (4X, Auto battler, Multiplayer online battle arena, Real-time strategy, etc.).

Arcade video game, Console game, Electronic game, Online game, Mobile game, PC game, Virtual reality game.

Minecraft, Dark Souls, The Witcher, Grand Theft Auto, World of Warcraft, Super Mario, The Sims, Fortnite, Call of Duty, Assassin’s Creed, Pacman, Tetris, Sonic the HedgeHog, Angry Birds, Skyrim, etc.

Public opinion on video games is diverse and multifaceted. While video games enjoy immense popularity and have a dedicated fan base, opinions about them vary among different segments of society. Some people view video games as a form of entertainment that offers immersive experiences, interactive storytelling, and social interaction. They appreciate the creativity, artistry, and technological advancements within the industry. Supporters argue that video games can enhance cognitive skills, problem-solving abilities, and even have therapeutic benefits. On the other hand, there are concerns raised by critics regarding the potential negative effects of video games. Some individuals argue that excessive gaming can lead to addiction, social isolation, and a sedentary lifestyle. Others raise concerns about the violent content in certain games and its potential impact on aggression or desensitization. Public opinion is often influenced by media coverage, personal experiences, and cultural biases. As the medium continues to evolve, ongoing discussions and debates surrounding video games will shape public perception and understanding of their impact on individuals and society as a whole.

1. Cognitive development 2. Entertainment and escapism 3. Social interaction 4. Educational value 5. Technological advancement

1. Addiction and excessive screen time 2. Violence and aggression 3. Health risks 4. Social isolation 5. Distraction and academic performance

1. The video game industry is a multibillion-dollar industry, with revenues surpassing those of the film and music industries combined. In 2021, the global video game market generated over $175 billion in revenue, highlighting the immense popularity and economic impact of video games. 2. According to a study published in the journal Pediatrics, video games can have a positive effect on surgical skills. Surgeons who played video games for at least three hours per week were found to perform laparoscopic surgery faster and with fewer errors compared to non-gaming counterparts. 3. In recent years, the rise of esports (competitive video gaming) has gained significant momentum. Esports tournaments and leagues attract millions of viewers worldwide, and professional esports players have become celebrities with lucrative sponsorships and endorsement deals. The esports industry is projected to reach a value of $3 billion by 2025, further cementing the cultural significance and growth potential of competitive gaming.

The topic of video games is important to write an essay about due to its widespread influence on modern society. Exploring this subject allows for an examination of its impact on various aspects of life, including culture, technology, psychology, and social interactions. Writing an essay about video games provides an opportunity to delve into their historical evolution, from the early days of arcade machines to the immersive and sophisticated gaming experiences of today. It allows for an analysis of the technological advancements that have propelled the industry forward and shaped the way we play and interact with games. Furthermore, studying video games enables an exploration of their cultural significance. Games have become a major form of storytelling, tackling complex themes and issues. They have also sparked discussions about representation, diversity, and ethics within the industry. Understanding the cultural context and impact of video games can shed light on their role as a powerful medium for self-expression and communication. Moreover, video games have been a subject of debate and scrutiny. Addressing topics such as violence, addiction, and their effects on mental health and social behavior can contribute to a nuanced understanding of the potential benefits and drawbacks of gaming.

1. Anderson, C. A., Gentile, D. A., & Buckley, K. E. (2007). Violent video game effects on children and adolescents: Theory, research, and public policy. Oxford University Press. 2. Ferguson, C. J. (2015). Do angry birds make for angry children? A meta-analysis of video game influences on children's and adolescents' aggression, mental health, prosocial behavior, and academic performance. Perspectives on Psychological Science, 10(5), 646-666. 3. Gee, J. P. (2003). What video games have to teach us about learning and literacy. Computers in Entertainment (CIE), 1(1), 20-20. 4. Griffiths, M. D., & Nuyens, F. (2017). An overview of structural characteristics in problematic video game playing. Current Addiction Reports, 4(3), 272-283. 5. Juul, J. (2010). A casual revolution: Reinventing video games and their players. MIT Press. 6. Kapp, K. M. (2012). The gamification of learning and instruction: Game-based methods and strategies for training and education. John Wiley & Sons. 7. Prensky, M. (2001). Digital game-based learning. McGraw-Hill. 8. Ryan, R. M., Rigby, C. S., & Przybylski, A. (2006). The motivational pull of video games: A self-determination theory approach. Motivation and Emotion, 30(4), 344-360. 9. Sherry, J. L. (2001). The effects of violent video games on aggression: A meta-analysis. Human Communication Research, 27(3), 409-431. 10. Yee, N. (2006). Motivations for play in online games. CyberPsychology & Behavior, 9(6), 772-775.

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Does Video Gaming Have Impacts on the Brain: Evidence from a Systematic Review

Denilson brilliant t..

1 Department of Biomedicine, Indonesia International Institute for Life Sciences (i3L), East Jakarta 13210, Indonesia

2 Smart Ageing Research Center (SARC), Tohoku University, Sendai 980-8575, Japan; pj.ca.ukohot@iur (R.N.); pj.ca.ukohot@atuyr (R.K.)

3 Department of Cognitive Health Science, Institute of Development, Aging and Cancer (IDAC), Tohoku University, Sendai 980-8575, Japan

Ryuta Kawashima

4 Department of Functional Brain Imaging, Institute of Development, Aging and Cancer (IDAC), Tohoku University, Sendai 980-8575, Japan

Video gaming, the experience of playing electronic games, has shown several benefits for human health. Recently, numerous video gaming studies showed beneficial effects on cognition and the brain. A systematic review of video gaming has been published. However, the previous systematic review has several differences to this systematic review. This systematic review evaluates the beneficial effects of video gaming on neuroplasticity specifically on intervention studies. Literature research was conducted from randomized controlled trials in PubMed and Google Scholar published after 2000. A systematic review was written instead of a meta-analytic review because of variations among participants, video games, and outcomes. Nine scientific articles were eligible for the review. Overall, the eligible articles showed fair quality according to Delphi Criteria. Video gaming affects the brain structure and function depending on how the game is played. The game genres examined were 3D adventure, first-person shooting (FPS), puzzle, rhythm dance, and strategy. The total training durations were 16–90 h. Results of this systematic review demonstrated that video gaming can be beneficial to the brain. However, the beneficial effects vary among video game types.

1. Introduction

Video gaming refers to the experience of playing electronic games, which vary from action to passive games, presenting a player with physical and mental challenges. The motivation to play video games might derive from the experience of autonomy or competing with others, which can explain why video gaming is pleasurable and addictive [ 1 ].

Video games can act as “teachers” depending on the game purpose [ 2 ]. Video gaming has varying effects depending on the game genre. For instance, an active video game can improve physical fitness [ 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 ], whereas social video games can improve social behavior [ 7 , 8 , 9 ]. The most interesting results show that playing video games can change cognition and the brain [ 10 , 11 , 12 , 13 ].

Earlier studies have demonstrated that playing video games can benefit cognition. Cross-sectional and longitudinal studies have demonstrated that the experience of video gaming is associated with better cognitive function, specifically in terms of visual attention and short-term memory [ 14 ], reaction time [ 15 ], and working memory [ 16 ]. Additionally, some randomized controlled studies show positive effects of video gaming interventions on cognition [ 17 , 18 ]. Recent meta-analytical studies have also supported the positive effects of video gaming on cognition [ 10 , 11 , 12 , 13 ]. These studies demonstrate that playing video games does provide cognitive benefits.

The effects of video gaming intervention are ever more widely discussed among scientists [ 13 ]. A review of the results and methodological quality of recently published intervention studies must be done. One systematic review of video gaming and neural correlates has been reported [ 19 ]. However, the technique of neuroimaging of the reviewed studies was not specific. This systematic review reviewed only magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) studies in contrast to the previous systematic review to focus on neuroplasticity effect. Neuroplasticity is capability of the brain that accommodates adaptation for learning, memorizing, and recovery purposes [ 19 ]. In normal adaptation, the brain is adapting to learn, remember, forget, and repair itself. Recent studies using MRI for brain imaging techniques have demonstrated neuroplasticity effects after an intervention, which include cognitive, exercise, and music training on the grey matter [ 20 , 21 , 22 , 23 , 24 ] and white matter [ 25 , 26 , 27 , 28 , 29 ]. However, the molecular mechanisms of the grey and white matter change remain inconclusive. The proposed mechanisms for the grey matter change are neurogenesis, gliogenesis, synaptogenesis, and angiogenesis, whereas those for white matter change are myelin modeling and formation, fiber organization, and angiogenesis [ 30 ]. Recent studies using MRI technique for brain imaging have demonstrated video gaming effects on neuroplasticity. Earlier imaging studies using cross-sectional and longitudinal methods have shown that playing video games affects the brain structure by changing the grey matter [ 31 , 32 , 33 ], white matter [ 34 , 35 ], and functional connectivity [ 36 , 37 , 38 , 39 ]. Additionally, a few intervention studies have demonstrated that playing video games changed brain structure and functions [ 40 , 41 , 42 , 43 ].

The earlier review also found a link between neural correlates of video gaming and cognitive function [ 19 ]. However, that review used both experimental and correlational studies and included non-healthy participants, which contrasts to this review. The differences between this and the previous review are presented in Table 1 . This review assesses only experimental studies conducted of healthy participants. Additionally, the cross-sectional and longitudinal studies merely showed an association between video gaming experiences and the brain, showing direct effects of playing video games in the brain is difficult. Therefore, this systematic review specifically examined intervention studies. This review is more specific as it reviews intervention and MRI studies on healthy participants. The purposes of this systematic review are therefore to evaluate the beneficial effects of video gaming and to assess the methodological quality of recent video gaming intervention studies.

Differences between previous review and current review.

CT, computed tomography; fMRI, functional magnetic resonance imaging; MEG, magnetoencephalography MRI, magnetic resonance imaging; PET, positron emission tomography; SPECT, single photon emission computed tomography; tDCS, transcranial direct current stimulation; EEG, electroencephalography; NIRS, near-infrared spectroscopy.

2. Materials and Methods

2.1. search strategy.

This systematic review was designed in accordance with the PRISMA checklist [ 44 ] shown in Appendix Table A1 . A literature search was conducted using PubMed and Google Scholar to identify relevant studies. The keywords used for the literature search were combinations of “video game”, “video gaming”, “game”, “action video game”, “video game training”, “training”, “play”, “playing”, “MRI”, “cognitive”, “cognition”, “executive function”, and “randomized control trial”.

2.2. Inclusion and Exclusion Criteria

The primary inclusion criteria were randomized controlled trial study, video game interaction, and MRI/fMRI analysis. Studies that qualified with only one or two primary inclusions were not included. Review papers and experimental protocols were also not included. The secondary inclusion criteria were publishing after 2000 and published in English. Excluded were duration of less than 4 weeks or unspecified length intervention or combination intervention. Also excluded were studies of cognition-based games, and studies of participants with psychiatric, cognitive, neurological, and medical disorders.

2.3. Quality Assessment

Each of the quality studies was assessed using Delphi criteria [ 45 ] with several additional elements [ 46 ]: details of allocation methods, adequate descriptions of control and training groups, statistical comparisons between control and training groups, and dropout reports. The respective total scores (max = 12) are shown in Table 3. The quality assessment also includes assessment for risk of bias, which is shown in criteria numbers 1, 2, 5, 6, 7, 9, and 12.

2.4. Statistical Analysis

Instead of a meta-analysis study, a systematic review of the video game training/video gaming and the effects was conducted because of the variation in ranges of participant age, video game genre, control type, MRI and statistical analysis, and training outcomes. Therefore, the quality, inclusion and exclusion, control, treatment, game title, participants, training period, and MRI analysis and specification of the studies were recorded for the respective games.

The literature search made of the databases yielded 140 scientific articles. All scientific articles were screened based on inclusion and exclusion criteria. Of those 140 scientific articles, nine were eligible for the review [ 40 , 41 , 42 , 43 , 47 , 48 , 49 , 50 , 51 ]. Video gaming effects are listed in Table 2 .

Summary of beneficial effect of video gaming.

Duration was converted into weeks (1 month = 4 weeks); DLPFC, dorsolateral prefrontal cortex; GM, grey matter; FPS, first person shooting. * Participants were categorized based on how they played during the video gaming intervention.

We excluded 121 articles: 46 were not MRI studies, 16 were not controlled studies, 38 were not intervention studies, 13 were review articles, and eight were miscellaneous, including study protocols, non-video gaming studies, and non-brain studies. Of 18 included scientific articles, nine were excluded. Of those nine excluded articles, two were cognitive-based game studies, three were shorter than 4 weeks in duration or were without a specified length intervention, two studies used a non-healthy participant treatment, and one was a combination intervention study. A screening flowchart is portrayed in Figure 1 .

An external file that holds a picture, illustration, etc.
Object name is brainsci-09-00251-g001.jpg

Flowchart of literature search.

3.1. Quality Assessment

The assessment methodology based on Delphi criteria [ 45 ] for the quality of eligible studies is presented in Table 3 . The quality scores assigned to the studies were 3–9 (mean = 6.10; S.D. = 1.69). Overall, the studies showed fair methodological quality according to the Delphi criteria. The highest quality score of the nine eligible articles was assigned to “Playing Super Mario 64 increases hippocampal grey matter in older adult” published by West et al. in 2017, which scored 9 of 12. The scores assigned for criteria 6 (blinded care provider) and 7 (blinded patient) were lowest because of unspecified information related to blinding for those criteria. Additionally, criteria 2 (concealed allocation) and 5 (blinding assessor) were low because only two articles specified that information. All articles met criteria 3 and 4 adequately.

Methodological quality of eligible studies.

Q1, Random allocation; Q2, Concealed allocation; Q3, Similar baselines among groups; Q4, Eligibility specified; Q5, Blinded assessor outcome; Q6, Blinded care provider; Q7, Blinded patient; Q8, Intention-to-treat analysis; Q9, Detail of allocation method; Q10, Adequate description of each group; Q11, Statistical comparison between groups; Q12, Dropout report (1, specified; 0, unspecified).

3.2. Inclusion and Exclusion

Most studies included participants with little or no experience with gaming and excluded participants with psychiatric/mental, neurological, and medical illness. Four studies specified handedness of the participants and excluded participants with game training experience. The inclusion and exclusion criteria are presented in Table 4 .

Inclusion and exclusion criteria for eligible studies.

i1, Little/no experience in video gaming; i2, Right-handed; i3, Sex-specific; e1, Psychiatric/mental illness; e2, Neurological illness; e3, Medical illness; e4, MRI contraindication; e5, experience in game training.

3.3. Control Group

Nine eligible studies were categorized as three types based on the control type. Two studies used active control, five studies used passive control, and two studies used both active and passive control. A summary of the control group is presented in Table 5 .

Control group examined eligible studies.

3.4. Game Title and Genre

Of the nine eligible studies, four used the same 3D adventure game with different game platforms, which were “Super Mario 64” original and the DS version. One study used first-person shooting (FPS) shooting games with many different game titles: “Call of Duty” is one title. Two studies used puzzle games: “Tetris” and “Professor Layton and The Pandora’s Box.” One study used a rhythm dance game: Dance Revolution. One study used a strategy game: “Space Fortress.” Game genres are presented in Table 6 .

Genres and game titles of video gaming intervention.

* West et al. used multiple games; other games are Call of Duty 2, 3, Black Ops, and World at War, Killzone 2 and 3, Battlefield 2, 3, and 4, Resistance 2 and Fall of Man, and Medal of Honor.

3.5. Participants and Sample Size

Among the nine studies, one study examined teenage participants, six studies included young adult participants, and two studies assessed older adult participants. Participant information is shown in Table 7 . Numbers of participants were 20–75 participants (mean = 43.67; S.D. = 15.63). Three studies examined female-only participants, whereas six others used male and female participants. Six studies with female and male participants had more female than male participants.

Participant details of eligible studies.

3.6. Training Period and Intensity

The training period was 4–24 weeks (mean = 11.49; S.D. = 6.88). One study by Lee et al. had two length periods and total hours because the study examined video game training of two types. The total training hours were 16–90 h (mean = 40.63; S.D. = 26.22), whereas the training intensity was 1.5–10.68 h/week (mean = 4.96; S.D. = 3.00). One study did not specify total training hours. Two studies did not specify the training intensity. The training periods and intensities are in Table 8 .

Periods and intensities of video gaming intervention.

The training length was converted into weeks (1 month = 4 weeks). ns, not specified; n/a, not available; * exact length is not available.

3.7. MRI Analysis and Specifications

Of nine eligible studies, one study used resting-state MRI analysis, three studies (excluding that by Haier et al. [ 40 ]) used structural MRI analysis, and five studies used task-based MRI analysis. A study by Haier et al. used MRI analyses of two types [ 40 ]. A summary of MRI analyses is presented in Table 9 . The related resting-state, structural, and task-based MRI specifications are presented in Table 10 , Table 11 and Table 12 respectively.

MRI analysis details of eligible studies.

* Haier et al. conducted structural and task analyses. + Compared pre-training and post-training between groups without using contrast. TFCE, Threshold Free Cluster Enhancement; FEW, familywise error rate; FDR, false discovery rate.

Resting-State MRI specifications of eligible studies.

Structural MRI specifications of eligible studies.

Task-Based MRI specifications of eligible studies.

All analyses used 3 Tesla magnetic force; TR = repetition time; TE = echo time, ns = not specified.

4. Discussion

This literature review evaluated the effect of noncognitive-based video game intervention on the cognitive function of healthy people. Comparison of studies is difficult because of the heterogeneities of participant ages, beneficial effects, and durations. Comparisons are limited to studies sharing factors.

4.1. Participant Age

Video gaming intervention affects all age categories except for the children category. The exception derives from a lack of intervention studies using children as participants. The underlying reason for this exception is that the brain is still developing until age 10–12 [ 52 , 53 ]. Among the eligible studies were a study investigating adolescents [ 40 ], six studies investigating young adults [ 41 , 42 , 43 , 47 , 49 , 51 ] and two studies investigating older adults [ 48 , 50 ].

Differences among study purposes underlie the differences in participant age categories. The study by Haier et al. was intended to study adolescents because the category shows the most potential brain changes. The human brain is more sensitive to synaptic reorganization during the adolescent period [ 54 ]. Generally, grey matter decreases whereas white matter increases during the adolescent period [ 55 , 56 ]. By contrast, the cortical surface of the brain increases despite reduction of grey matter [ 55 , 57 ]. Six studies were investigating young adults with the intention of studying brain changes after the brain reaches maturity. The human brain reaches maturity during the young adult period [ 58 ]. Two studies were investigating older adults with the intention of combating difficulties caused by aging. The human brain shrinks as age increases [ 56 , 59 ], which almost invariably leads to declining cognitive function [ 59 , 60 ].

4.2. Beneficial Effects

Three beneficial outcomes were observed using MRI method: grey matter change [ 40 , 42 , 50 ], brain activity change [ 40 , 43 , 47 , 48 , 49 ], and functional connectivity change [ 41 ]. The affected brain area corresponds to how the respective games were played.

Four studies of 3D video gaming showed effects on the structure of hippocampus, dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC), cerebellum [ 42 , 43 , 50 ], and DLPFC [ 43 ] and ventral striatum activity [ 49 ]. In this case, the hippocampus is used for memory [ 61 ] and scene recognition [ 62 ], whereas the DLPFC and cerebellum are used for working memory function for information manipulation and problem-solving processes [ 63 ]. The grey matter of the corresponding brain region has been shown to increase during training [ 20 , 64 ]. The increased grey matter of the hippocampus, DLPFC, and cerebellum are associated with better performance in reference and working memory [ 64 , 65 ].

The reduced activity of DLPFC found in the study by Gleich et al. corresponds to studies that showed reduced brain activity associated with brain training [ 66 , 67 , 68 , 69 ]. Decreased activity of the DLPFC after training is associated with efficiency in divergent thinking [ 70 ]. 3D video gaming also preserved reward systems by protecting the activity of the ventral striatum [ 71 ].

Two studies of puzzle gaming showed effects on the structure of the visual–spatial processing area, activity of the frontal area, and functional connectivity change. The increased grey matter of the visual–spatial area and decreased activity of the frontal area are similar to training-associated grey matter increase [ 20 , 64 ] and activity decrease [ 66 , 67 , 68 , 69 ]. In this case, visual–spatial processing and frontal area are used constantly for spatial prediction and problem-solving of Tetris. Functional connectivity of the multimodal integration and the higher-order executive system in the puzzle solving-based gaming of Professor Layton game corresponds to studies which demonstrated training-associated functional connectivity change [ 72 , 73 ]. Good functional connectivity implies better performance [ 73 ].

Strategy gaming affects the DLPFC activity, whereas rhythm gaming affects the activity of visuospatial working memory, emotional, and attention area. FPS gaming affects the structure of the hippocampus and amygdala. Decreased DLPFC activity is similar to training-associated activity decrease [ 66 , 67 , 68 , 69 ]. A study by Roush demonstrated increased activity of visuospatial working memory, emotion, and attention area, which might occur because of exercise and gaming in the Dance Revolution game. Results suggest that positive activations indicate altered functional areas by complex exercise [ 48 ]. The increased grey matter of the hippocampus and amygdala are similar to the training-associated grey matter increase [ 20 , 64 ]. The hippocampus is used for 3D navigation purposes in the FPS world [ 61 ], whereas the amygdala is used to stay alert during gaming [ 74 ].

4.3. Duration

Change of the brain structure and function was observed after 16 h of video gaming. The total durations of video gaming were 16–90 h. However, the gaming intensity must be noted because the gaming intensity varied: 1.5–10.68 h per week. The different intensities might affect the change of cognitive function. Cognitive intervention studies demonstrated intensity effects on the cortical thickness of the brain [ 75 , 76 ]. A similar effect might be observed in video gaming studies. More studies must be conducted to resolve how the intensity can be expected to affect cognitive function.

4.4. Criteria

Almost all studies used inclusion criteria “little/no experience with video games.” The criterion was used to reduce the factor of gaming-related experience on the effects of video gaming. Some of the studies also used specific handedness and specific sex of participants to reduce the variation of brain effects. Expertise and sex are shown to affect brain activity and structure [ 77 , 78 , 79 , 80 ]. The exclusion criterion of “MRI contraindication” is used for participant safety for the MRI protocol, whereas exclusion criteria of “psychiatric/mental illness”, “neurological illness”, and “medical illness” are used to standardize the participants.

4.5. Limitations and Recommendations

Some concern might be raised about the quality of methodology, assessed using Delphi criteria [ 45 ]. The quality was 3–9 (mean = 6.10; S.D. = 1.69). Low quality in most papers resulted from unspecified information corresponding to the criteria. Quality improvements for the studies must be performed related to the low quality of methodology. Allocation concealment, assessor blinding, care provider blinding, participant blinding, intention-to-treat analysis, and allocation method details must be improved in future studies.

Another concern is blinding and control. This type of study differs from medical studies in which patients can be blinded easily. In studies of these types, the participants were tasked to do either training as an active control group or to do nothing as a passive control group. The participants can expect something from the task. The expectation might affect the outcomes of the studies [ 81 , 82 , 83 ]. Additionally, the waiting-list control group might overestimate the outcome of training [ 84 ].

Considering the sample size, which was 20–75 (mean = 43.67; S.D. = 15.63), the studies must be upscaled to emphasize video gaming effects. There are four phases of clinical trials that start from the early stage and small-scale phase 1 to late stage and large-scale phase 3 and end in post-marketing observation phase 4. These four phases are used for drug clinical trials, according to the food and drug administration (FDA) [ 85 ]. Phase 1 has the purpose of revealing the safety of treatment with around 20–100 participants. Phase 2 has the purpose of elucidating the efficacy of the treatment with up to several hundred participants. Phase 3 has the purpose of revealing both efficacy and safety among 300–3000 participants. The final phase 4 has the purpose of finding unprecedented adverse effects of treatment after marketing. However, because medical studies and video gaming intervention studies differ in terms of experimental methods, slight modifications can be done for adaptation to video gaming studies.

Several unresolved issues persist in relation to video gaming intervention. First, no studies assessed chronic/long-term video gaming. The participants might lose their motivation to play the same game over a long time, which might affect the study outcomes [ 86 ]. Second, meta-analyses could not be done because the game genres are heterogeneous. To ensure homogeneity of the study, stricter criteria must be set. However, this step would engender a third limitation. Third, randomized controlled trial video gaming studies that use MRI analysis are few. More studies must be conducted to assess the effects of video gaming. Fourth, the eligible studies lacked cognitive tests to validate the cognitive change effects for training. Studies of video gaming intervention should also include a cognitive test to ascertain the relation between cognitive function and brain change.

5. Conclusions

The systematic review has several conclusions related to beneficial effects of noncognitive-based video games. First, noncognitive-based video gaming can be used in all age categories as a means to improve the brain. However, effects on children remain unclear. Second, noncognitive-based video gaming affects both structural and functional aspects of the brain. Third, video gaming effects were observed after a minimum of 16 h of training. Fourth, some methodology criteria must be improved for better methodological quality. In conclusion, acute video gaming of a minimum of 16 h is beneficial for brain function and structure. However, video gaming effects on the brain area vary depending on the video game type.

Acknowledgments

We would like to thank all our other colleagues in IDAC, Tohoku University for their support.

PRISMA Checklist of the literature review.

For more information, visit: www.prisma-statement.org .

Author Contributions

D.B.T., R.N., and R.K. designed the systematic review. D.B.T. and R.N. searched and selected the papers. D.B.T. and R.N. wrote the manuscript with R.K. All authors read and approved the final manuscript. D.B.T. and R.N. contributed equally to this work.

Study is supported by JSPS KAKENHI Grant Number 17H06046 (Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research on Innovative Areas) and 16KT0002 (Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (B)).

Conflicts of Interest

None of the other authors has any conflict of interest to declare. Funding sources are not involved in the study design, collection, analysis, interpretation of data, or writing of the study report.

Video Game Research Paper Topics

Andrew button.

Woman in black, blue, and red shirt lying on surface while reading magazine.jpg

Video games have been a topic of discussion in recent decades. While the rise of realistic video games has been praised as a technological marvel, many parent groups, such as the Parents Television Council, have argued that these games influence children to commit violent acts. Plan a video game research paper that addresses technical or political aspects of gaming, or both.

Explore this article

  • Controversies
  • Games and Gender Roles

Electronic gaming has a relatively short history. However, in the brief period in which they have been on the market, electronic games have evolved quite a bit. Since the first interactive video game was created in 1967, the video game industry has grown to include 3-D graphics and online and remote control capabilities. Research paper topics in the historical aspect of video games include the history of video game consoles, the history of PC gaming and the histories of popular game franchises.

Video game design is a fascinating topic. Game design teams work together to develop complex electronic worlds encompassing story lines, graphics, user interfaces and much more. Video game design firms include music composers, 3-D animators, computer programmers and even voice actors, all of whom work together to create a single product. Research paper topics on game design include 3-D animation, artificial intelligence and interactive nonlinear storytelling.

3 Controversies

Video games have been controversial ever since 1976, when a game called "Death Race" caused a minor controversy by featuring pedestrians being run over and killed on screen. Since that time, games have caused controversy for allegations as wide ranging as inciting school violence to distracting kids from their homework. Research paper topics on video game controversies include their effect on motivation as well as violence.

4 Games and Gender Roles

Video games are sometimes a topic in the broader discussion over gender roles. Traditionally, the vast majority of the video game consumer market has been male; however, the number of women playing video games has been on the rise for the past decade. Topics for research papers on video games and gender roles include gender stereotypes in video games, the role of video games in male/female gender stereotyping and the changing gender balance in the video game consumer base.

  • 1 PBS; Reality Bytes: Eight Myths About Video Games Debunked; Henry Jenkins
  • 2 Gamespot.com: A History of Video Game Controversies

About the Author

Based in St. John's, Canada, Andrew Button has been writing since 2008, covering politics, business and finance. He has contributed to newspapers and online magazines, including "The Evening Telegram" and cbc.ca. Button is pursuing a Bachelor of Arts in political science from Memorial University in St. John's.

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Library Resources for Doing Scholarly Research on Video Games

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So you are writing a research paper about video games but aren't sure where to begin? Since video games are a new medium of art that requires an interdisciplinary approach to conducting research, databases that draw on many different publications can equip students and scholars with the tools they need to succeed.

Before you begin exploring databases, here are a few useful tips:

  • For quick, targeted results,  search by abstract instead of by keyword or by title. In an academic paper, the abstract is a brief summary of what the paper or study is about. Searching by abstract will give you a list of all the articles that discuss video games in the summary, so it will help you narrow down more quickly whether or not the article will be useful to you.
  • Use full-text filters to only get results where the entire article is available for you to read.
  • For the most scholarly results, use peer-reviewed filters to find only articles vetted by experts in the field.

Recommended Databases

Note that some of these databases are accessible from home with a library card while others can only be used onsite at an NYPL location.

.css-ks97ib{transition-property:var(--nypl-transition-property-common);transition-duration:var(--nypl-transition-duration-fast);transition-timing-function:var(--nypl-transition-easing-ease-out);cursor:pointer;-webkit-text-decoration:underline;text-decoration:underline;outline:2px solid transparent;outline-offset:2px;color:var(--nypl-colors-ui-link-primary);}.css-ks97ib:hover,.css-ks97ib[data-hover]{-webkit-text-decoration:underline;text-decoration:underline;color:var(--nypl-colors-ui-link-secondary);}.css-ks97ib:focus,.css-ks97ib[data-focus]{box-shadow:var(--nypl-shadows-outline);}.css-ks97ib a:hover,.css-ks97ib a[data-hover]{color:var(--nypl-colors-ui-link-secondary);} Academic Search Premier

For those new to academia/scholarly research, EBSCO's Academic Search is a staple in libraries nearly everywhere to conduct general research. It is a good starting point to see the current literature out there for any paper, in this case, gaming scholarship. However, just typing in "video games" alone in the search will lead you to over 300,000 results; how do you narrow it down? As mentioned above, use limiters such as peer-reviewed/full text enabled for high-quality articles that you can read fully. Other available search limiters are "magazines" (think video game magazines) and "company" (e.g. if you want to research a specific video game company such as Capcom or Square Enix). Academic Search is good if you want to study video games in terms of education, how to utilize them in a teaching setting, in the workplace, and more. 

Business Source Complete

If you are interested in researching video games from a business point of view, then EBSCO's Business Source Complete is the database for you. Here you will find SWOT (Strength, Weakness, Opportunities, Threats) analyses of gaming companies, research about NFTs (Non-Fungible Tokens), virtual and augmented reality, video games, and more. 

JSTOR (accessible from home with a library card)

Similar to Academic Search, JSTOR is a staple in many libraries and is a good area to conduct initial research while trying to figure out what you want your paper to be about. Typing "video games" alone in the search bar will net you more than 50,000+ scholarly articles about the popular entertainment medium. You can narrow your research to video games in Military Studies, Library Science, Political Science, and much more. 

"Can video games help alleviate seasonal depression?"

"Do violent video games cause behavioral problems in adolescents?" 

"Does Cognitive Dissonance explain the Console Wars?" 

"Does causing chaos in Grand Theft Auto correlate to causing chaos in real life?"

EBSCO's PsycINFO is useful if you are interested in studying video games in terms of the realm of psychology, and have ever pondered one of the above questions. You can find articles about video game addiction, aggression in players, mental health, personality development, and more.

Project Muse

This resource is a general favorite for anything art or media related, with tons of scholarly, peer-reviewed articles about video games including articles on diversity in video games, video games and the ecosystem, video games and civic development, and more. When starting research on video games, this database is highly recommended to be your number one starting point when trying to figure out what your paper is going to be about.  

Sage Knowledge

Sage is a good starting point if you want to read reference/textbook material about video games and gamification. In Sage you will find authoritative encyclopedias and handbooks that will help any gaming scholar in the beginning stages of their research. Some interesting encyclopedias that feature a chapter in video games are Death and the Human Experience, Out-of-School Learning, Communication Research Methods, and many more. 

Additional resources:

  • Our  LibGuides page will point you to themed research guides of Library resources. For example, if you wanted to create a video game about a time-traveling librarian that takes place in New York City in the 1800s, looking at local history and newspapers may be something you want to do. If you know the research you want to do requires in-depth assistance, it's encouraged to make an appointment with a librarian . 
  • This list of Fellowships around the city and at NYPL may be of interest to scholars. 
  • Our Interlibrary Services and Documents is also a service for scholars to utilize if you need an article or not owned by the Library. You can also use interlibrary loan for video games as well. 
  • Flipster  is a magazine database accessible with your library card that includes video game magazines.
  • Finally, an external resource, the Internet Archive , has all kinds of old-school video games you can play, as well as gaming manuals and much more. Anyone who needs primary sources will find this very useful. 

College & Research Libraries ( C&RL ) is the official, bi-monthly, online-only scholarly research journal of the Association of College & Research Libraries, a division of the American Library Association.

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Shannon L. Farrell is Natural Resources Librarian in the Natural Resources Library at the University of Minnesota Twin Cities; e-mail: [email protected] . Amy E. Neeser is Assistant Librarian, Library Research—Science and Engineering in the University Library at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor; e-mail: [email protected] . Carolyn Bishoff is Physics, Astronomy, and Earth Sciences Librarian in the Walter Library at the University of Minnesota Twin Cities; e-mail: [email protected] ).

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Academic Uses of Video Games: A Qualitative Assessment of Research and Teaching Needs at a Large Research University

Shannon L. Farrell, Amy E. Neeser, and Carolyn Bishoff *

Academic libraries develop collections and services for scholars who use video games in teaching and research. However, there are no assessments of related information and technology needs. The authors conducted 30 semistructured interviews to gather data about these needs and understand how the University of Minnesota Libraries can facilitate access to games and technology. A total of 28 interviewees used games in research, and 23 used games in teaching. We identified a variety of information and technology needs; many showed strong disciplinary trends. The findings can inform needs-based multidisciplinary strategies to develop video game services and collections relevant to unique academic communities.

Introduction

Recent studies show that video games are ingrained in American culture and, increasingly, higher education. A 2015 Pew Research Center survey found that 49 percent of American adults and 67 percent of adults ages 18–29 play video games. 1 The New Media Consortium reported that games and gamification have several applications in higher education, as educational technology and components of blended learning. 2 A search for “video games” in major article indices finds game technology used in diverse research areas.

College and research libraries share a vision of exceptional services to motivate and facilitate cutting-edge research and student learning 3 and have proactively supported scholars using and experimenting with video games. Librarians frequently collaborate with faculty and students to create game collections and interactive spaces for research, teaching, game development, and play. Despite this, there are currently no multidisciplinary assessments that provide an overview of the information and technology needs required by scholars working with video games. Some disciplinary-specific needs are understood, such as the needs of game design programs and curricula, but most information on needs is based on anecdotal evidence.

The University of Minnesota (UMN) is a large, doctoral-granting research university. The Twin Cities campus includes more than 4,000 faculty and 52,000 students, 16 colleges, and more than 300 research, education, and outreach centers and institutes. There is no video game design program or department, but there are a number of research faculty, teaching faculty, and students who use video games for academic purposes. To understand the diverse uses of video games across disciplines, we conducted semistructured narrative interviews of faculty, staff, and graduate students who use games or gaming technology in their work. This paper explores the information and technology needs of scholars who use video games on the UMN campus, similarities and differences by discipline, and how college and research libraries can incorporate disciplinary needs into a strategic approach to video game services and collections.

Literature Review

Many academic libraries recognize that scholars using video games for research and instruction have unique information and technology needs. In 2008, Smith 4 called for a better understanding of game scholars’ information needs, research methods, and types of materials they require, but there are three challenges to understanding those needs on a large scale: lack of information on conducting a comprehensive needs assessment of academic video game users, scarce information about research and teaching needs related to video games, and little information about how unique disciplinary or institutional needs affect a game-related collection or service.

Most library literature on games focuses on recommended genres and equipment 5 or the specifics of acquiring, cataloging, and circulating games. 6 Descriptions of video game collections and services often include a process to gather input; but none of these articles go into detail about the methods or findings, nor do they share a specific plan for how faculty and students would be consulted as technology, research, and classroom needs change.

Laskowski and Ward provide the most thorough overview of classroom and research needs and areas the library can support. 7 They note three primary needs for game-related classes at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (UIUC): access to labs with high-powered PCs, availability of course reserves, and access to discontinued games. They propose a variety of needs for game design classes and surmise that those classes would benefit from close liaison partnerships. The research needs they identify all relate to analyses of gameplay, and they propose archiving gameplay videos with player commentary. Since then, game technology has evolved and these recommendations are worth updating.

Many academic libraries have new game collections since the publication of these foundational articles, and descriptions of these collections provide the most up-to-date understanding of the evolving academic uses of video games. It is well recognized that researchers and instructors who use games come from many different disciplines, including education, economics, and the humanities. 8 Some libraries developed partnerships with one department or discipline, such as education 9 or the arts. 10 Librarians managing the game collection at the University of Chicago (UChicago) intend to serve a wide population, from music to media studies to computer science. 11 UChicago also has strong faculty advocates who identified many potential users on campus. 12 Game collections at the University of Michigan 13 and Carleton University 14 likewise support a range of courses and research interests from the sciences to the humanities.

Despite the variety of potential users, there is less documentation about how a library game collection reflects the disciplinary or departmental information and technology needs at a particular institution. The information available shows a surprising amount of consistency across academic game collections: most libraries collect commercially successful games to play on consoles, such as the Playstation 3 or XBox 360. UIUC, 15 the University of Michigan, 16 and the University of California Santa Cruz (UCSC) 17 have vintage games and game systems available. Though personal computer (PC) games are recognized as an important genre to collect, 18 it was difficult to determine if any academic libraries collected PC games or provided hardware to play them. Carleton University is one of the few that does. 19

There are similarities among the themes of many game collections. Collections at Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU), 20 UChicago, 21 and the University of Michigan 22 all represent the history of video game development and the evolution of games through time. Many academic game collections also focus on acquiring current releases. 23

Some libraries have unique aspects to their collections. For example, VCU collects games specifically for users in the arts. The arts librarian looks for “games that have certain aesthetics … have significant artistic direction, unique narrative or cerebral gameplay.” 24 Some libraries plan to expand beyond console games, including UChicago; a faculty member from English hopes that “computer and mobile games” are eventually added to the collection. 25 At least two libraries make game development software available: the University of Calgary game resources include “six high performance (liquid cooled) gaming PCs” with software packages including Unity and several Autodesk products; 26 and Carleton University had requests for software including Poser Pro. 27

As affordable game technology evolves, libraries take steps to stay up-to-date with new research and teaching applications. Commonly, academic libraries rely on subject librarians to stay aware of research and instruction trends, and that is no different when video games are involved. 28 Another strategy involves direct faculty and student input, which often happens during the initial development of video game collections. 29 However, some collections are built from donations and gifts like at the University of Calgary; 30 a for those, the relationship between the collection and local research and teaching needs is less clear. Some collections accept donations for a particular purpose: the University of Michigan Computer and Video Game Archive (CVGA) accepts donations and purchases games to create the most comprehensive collection possible, while also collecting in targeted ways to support faculty and student activities. 31

No literature to date provides a comprehensive overview of the information and technology needs of academic video game users. Many universities rely on a handful of faculty advisors to understand needs on campus; UIUC consulted a faculty member and hosted a game night for students to gather input; 32 Carleton University similarly “crowd-sourced” input for their game collection from faculty, students, and library staff, though they did not describe their methods. 33 At UChicago, faculty advocates assisted directly with the development of the collection. 34 The University of Michigan LibGuide for the CVGA provides the most comprehensive list of courses, research, and faculty who have used the CVGA on their campus, but the list is intended to inform students and potential users, not provide an overview of trends about research and teaching needs or inform collection and service development. 35

This paper explores the information and technology needs of games scholars at UMN Twin Cities and how libraries can accommodate disciplinary needs and help overcome barriers to academic work related to video games.

We formulated the following research questions:

  • Which disciplines are represented among UMN scholars who use video games?
  • Do UMN scholars who use video games collaborate outside their disciplines?
  • What are the information and technology needs for game-related research and teaching at UMN?
  • Are there similarities in the information and technology needs of researchers and instructors using video games, despite disciplinary differences?
  • If obstacles are identified, how can libraries help researchers and instructors overcome them and enhance their work?

To answer these questions, we identified scholars at UMN who work with video games or video game technology. This was defined broadly and ranged from using games as an object of study to using the technology to study a separate problem. We excluded researchers studying “game theory” (a mathematical concept) or studying analog games such as board games or logic puzzles because our interest was in needs related to video game technology.

We used a number of methods to identify a population of faculty, staff, and students. SciVal Experts, a research profile system used at UMN, identified 62 people who had published on video games. The SciVal Experts system does not include all UMN scholars, and the database best represents disciplines that use journal articles as their primary means of scholarly communication, so we also conducted searches of the UMN website to find mentions of video games in biographies, research statements, or classes. Word-of-mouth also played an important role: we asked librarians at the UMN for recommendations and used snowball sampling to find additional names from those we interviewed. Through these combined methods, we obtained 92 total names, which we considered an exhaustive list.

A qualitative approach was most appropriate, as opposed to a survey, since it allowed participants to drive the conversation and focus on topics important to them. Since we did not have personal connections to those doing video game–related work at UMN, interviews had the additional advantage of building new relationships. We sent invitations to conduct hour-long, semistructured interviews to our sample of faculty, staff, and graduate students. Those who responded were interviewed at a location of their choice. Those who did not respond were sent a follow-up invitation two weeks later. Of the 92 names in the original population, 30 people agreed to be interviewed, 20 declined, and 42 did not respond.

Each interview was attended by two members of the research team and was audio recorded with the interviewee’s permission. We asked guiding questions, but the interviewee led the conversation. Instead of transcribing each interview, we used a Google form to code data from the audio (see appendix for codes and definitions). We used a controlled vocabulary to code most topics and captured quotes and observations with free-text responses. To make sure that different coders maintained a level of consistency, we reviewed the audio from the first 15 interviews in tandem and resolved disputes with the codes and analysis methodology. We then assigned a single reviewer to the final 15 subjects.

We took measures to ensure participants’ anonymity by assigning each participant a random number, coding participants by discipline instead of department, and using generic titles (such as untenured faculty) in place of official positions. These methods were approved by the UMN Institutional Review Board on October 17, 2014.

We identified 92 people from four broad disciplinary groups: arts and humanities, social sciences, science/technology/engineering/math (STEM), and health sciences (see table 1). We interviewed 30 people from this population, an overall response rate of 33 percent. The interview sample overrepresented the STEM population, which had a 52 percent response rate, and underrepresented health sciences, which had a 19 percent response rate (see figure 1). It also overrepresented graduate students, who had a 46 percent response rate overall. Participants were split almost evenly between graduate students (13) and faculty/staff (17). It was also noteworthy that the largest number of interviewed graduate students (in both frequency and percentage of total) occurred in arts and humanities (5).

Table 1: Demographics of Interview Subjects (Sample) and Subject Population by 
Discipline and Academic Status

Interdepartmental collaboration was defined as a relationship, formal or informal, between an interview participant and a member of another department. Both formal and informal collaboration were considered: formal collaboration was defined as a relationship based on an externally recognized partnership, such as a project, grant, coauthorship on a manuscript, or serving as an academic advisor or dissertation committee member; informal collaboration was defined as unofficial or casual partnerships based on consultations, conversations, and friendships that contribute to academic work. These data were used to determine whether an interviewee’s work was confined to a single department or discipline or whether he or she had potential connections outside the interviewee’s home department. We found high levels of interdepartmental collaboration in all disciplines (see figure 2). One third of interview participants (10) reported three or more interdepartmental relationships, including an untenured instructor in arts and humanities who collaborated with faculty and students across five different departments in arts and humanities, STEM, and social sciences. A total of 20 percent of participants (6) reported no collaboration or no collaboration outside their departments, including an untenured instructor in STEM who only collaborated with graduate teaching assistants in his department. Interviewees from arts and humanities were the only group where all interviewees reported collaborative partnerships.

The majority (21/30) of interview participants used video games in both research and teaching (see figure 3). Most participants conducted research with video games (28/30). About a quarter of interviewees (7), most from STEM and health sciences, used games solely in research, including a graduate student in STEM who received funding for research and did not teach. Five categories of game-related research emerged from the interviews (see figure 4). Interviewees who conducted research on the development of games or technology typically produced software or algorithms that could be used in games or developed games based on existing technology. Researchers who used games as instrumentation modified game technology to collect quantitative data or used video games as a cheaper alternative to another analogous instrument they could have purchased. When games were used as an object of study, researchers often applied critical analysis or theory to a video game as they would another text or primary source. When games were used to study influences on people or society, the researcher typically used qualitative methods to examine some societal impact of games. Finally, games were studied by some for their educational applications and impact on student outcomes. Some interviewees used games in more than one way, such as a graduate student in arts and humanities who studied video games as both a cultural object and a cultural influence. Similarly, an untenured faculty in STEM researched video games as an educational technology while also examining their social influence. Each discipline was represented in 3–4 research application categories. At the same time, strong disciplinary research trends were present and each category was dominated by a single discipline, with the exception of educational technology. Educational technology applications primarily included testing games and game-based learning principles in the classroom.

Fewer people used video games in teaching (23/30) than in research, but interviewees who taught with games most often used them in research as well. For example, a tenured faculty researched the effectiveness of a mobile game to create and grade assignments and used the same game in several of his courses. Only two individuals used video games solely in a teaching capacity, including an instructor in STEM who had no research responsibilities. Four categories of teaching applications emerged from the interviews (see figure 5). Some instructors designed games from scratch for students to use in the classroom. Other instructors taught game design principles sometimes using commercial games and sometimes requiring students to create their own games. Games were also used as course material, analogous to texts or other primary sources: instructors assigned games in the syllabus or had students watch videos of others playing through a game. Finally, instructors discussed games, game mechanics, or their own research on games in the classroom but may not have assigned games to students to play in the course. Similar to research applications, some interviewees used games in the classroom multiple ways, like an untenured faculty in STEM who taught game design and also used video games as course material. Every disciplinary group used video games as course material and as a discussion piece in class. Some teaching applications were more common in particular disciplines; 4 of 8 STEM interviewees designed a game for their classes and 5 of 6 from the social sciences used games as course material. Overall, disciplinary trends were far less distinct. Table 2 summarizes the data from figures 3–5.

Table 2: Academic Use of Video Games/Technology by Discipline. Combines Data from Figures 3–5 and Adds Percentage of Use by Total Sample of Each Discipline

Among the interviewees, 18 types of information were used (see table 3). Arts and humanities participants used the most information sources (13), while STEM participants used the least (6). Video games were used as primary sources by interviewees in arts and humanities and social sciences, including a tenured faculty in the social sciences who studies game symbology. Interviewees from all disciplines used colleagues, web sources, journals and Google Scholar. Dominant information sources emerged from each discipline: arts and humanities, journals and web sources (see figure 6); social sciences, journals (see figure 7); STEM, colleagues, journals, and Google Scholar (see figure 8); and health sciences, colleagues (see figure 9).

Table 3: Information Sources Used in Game-Related Research/Teaching (n=30).

Participants identified 17 unique technology needs (see table 4). The following technology categories emerged: equipment, games, programming languages, servers, software, and web applications. Equipment included any type of hardware, from game consoles like Xbox or PlayStations, to mobile phones or personal computers (PCs). PCs were the most common piece of equipment identified as required by the whole sample, but peripherals (accessories such as game controllers) were the predominant type of equipment mentioned by participants in the health sciences. For example, a Wii balance board was used to study involuntary bodily movements. Only five interviewees used console system equipment (see figure 10).

Games referred to all types of playable software, and four categories of video games emerged: PC games, played on a computer and often accessed through a platform like Steam, were the most common, followed by console games (played on a console) and web games (played through an Internet browser); mobile games (played on a phone) were the least common. Arts and humanities and social sciences participants had the strongest need for games, and they use the widest variety of platforms. For example, a graduate student in arts and humanities uses PC, console, and mobile games to study music, and a graduate student in the social sciences uses web, PC, and console games to study representations of bodies. Social sciences have the largest use of web-based games, used by 3 of 4 interviewees. Only 1 of 11 STEM participants used video games in his or her academic activities (see figure 11), a graduate student studying a prominent massively multiplayer online role-playing game (MMORPG).

Table 4: Technology Requirements for Game-Related Research/Teaching (N=30)

Software as a category excluded video games but included almost any other type of digital application that a researcher or instructor identified as necessary to his or her work. The subcategories were chosen with collection development needs in mind; proprietary software would likely come at a cost and include access restrictions, while open source software would be more accessible for any library or user to install. Other categories of interest included custom software, which was usually designed by the researcher or instructor and might not be widely shared or available, and game design software. Game design software might overlap with one of the other categories: some interviewees used Unity, an open source game design software; some used the Unreal engine, which at the time of the interviews cost money to download and was not open source; and some built custom game design software of their own. STEM participants had the most software needs overall; and, as a group, both STEM and health sciences interviewees reported using some type of software from every category (see figure 12). However, the needs were diverse among individuals: a graduate student in STEM used proprietary robotics software and a tenured faculty member in STEM used open source software to teach programming. Arts and humanities interviewees overall did not report many software needs; only 1 of 7 interviewees described any software needs at all. However, members of every disciplinary grouping did report a need for proprietary software.

Some technology used by the interviewees in this study was free or provided by the university, like a personal computer, but many technology needs required some financial resources to fulfill. To determine how interviewees currently met their technology needs, we asked about the specific methods they used to acquire technology. We split the results on technology acquisition into two categories: graduate students and faculty/staff (see figures 13 and 14). Tenured and untenured faculty and staff were combined because the methods of technology acquisition were very similar for both groups. Graduate students used many strategies to acquire technology, including borrowing from others or using their own personal property. For example, one graduate student in the social sciences used free technology, borrowed games from others, made purchases, and still did not have all the technology he needed. On the other hand, faculty and staff primarily purchase technology. One faculty member in health sciences said, “I usually have a couple thousand bucks in my ICR [indirect cost recovery] account… that’s more than enough to pay for the kinds of things we’ve been talking about [plasma screen, Xbox 360, games].” This trend holds true regardless of tenure status. Faculty and staff in STEM are using more freely available technology when compared to the other disciplinary groups. If the faculty, staff, or students had not yet acquired the technology they planned to use, those responses appear as “other.” Faculty planned to either create the technology themselves or hire someone to create it, while graduate students were still considering their options.

Funding sources differed significantly by status, and untenured faculty and staff are shown separately from tenured faculty and graduate students (see figures 15–17). In general, graduate students and untenured faculty and staff relied on a variety of methods for funding compared to tenured faculty. In arts and humanities and social sciences, many graduate students paid out-of-pocket, such as a graduate student in arts and humanities who was unable to get funding for game skins (armor, clothing, and the like), which were required for his dissertation research. In STEM, graduate students received some funding from grants, but that was not the case for graduate students from other disciplines (see figure 15). Tenured faculty mostly got their funding from grants (10 out of 11 in our sample), with some additional support from ICR funds, departmental funds (funding providing by a researcher’s or instructor’s department), and new technology funds (funds provided by the department, college, or university to acquire technology) (see figure 16). Unlike graduate students, tenured faculty did not pay out-of-pocket costs. Health sciences’ tenured faculty illustrated a depth of funding sources. Although there were only three participants in our sample, they had six sources of funding. One example is a tenured faculty member who had both an external grant and used department funding. Untenured faculty and staff appear to be seeking multiple sources of funding (see figure 17). For example, in arts and humanities, an untenured instructor was funding his work with a grant, departmental funds, and his own money. Figures 18–21 summarize the data from figures 13–17 and organize it by discipline.

Research Limitations

This research had several limitations. If an eligible participant did not mention his or her work with video games on a staff profile page or in publications, or if the participant was not located through recommendations or snowball sampling, he or she was not included among the population of 92 UMN game scholars. The interview data was more limited in scope because some eligible participants were away on sabbatical, did not respond to invitations, or declined an interview.

The exploratory nature of this study limits the generalizability of the findings. However, despite being limited to this one research context, the size of the institution and broad range of disciplines and activities covered in this study provide a rich starting point for future research and the development of library services aimed at these types of researchers. Librarians serving game design or game development programs may observe different needs from those identified in this study because UMN does not have a dedicated game design program.

The open-ended, semistructured nature of the interviews resulted in rich and diverse data that posed some problems when categorizing findings and ensuring anonymity. We used broad codes and categories to capture as much data as possible while also maintaining anonymity, resulting in some loss in the granularity of the data. Additionally, determining how to assign disciplines to interviewees to maintain anonymity was challenging. For example, depending on the context, History can be considered a social science or part of the humanities as it is “multifaceted and diffuse.” 36 We chose to place it in arts and humanities because the researchers interviewed were primarily studying video games as cultural objects instead of the impact on society or human behavior.

Finally, some of the subjects discussed were sensitive (for example, institutional barriers to completing work or acquisition of funding) and some participants felt apprehensive about sharing information. Therefore, the data only represents what interviewees shared “on the record.” Occasionally, the interview location could have inhibited participants (for example, one interview occurred in a public location and two interviews occurred where interviewees’ colleagues were present). However, we have no reason to believe that interviewees concealed information or provided untruthful answers; in the cases where subjects spoke “off the record,” they were candid and honest about challenges with their work.

Demographics and Collaboration

Four disciplines were represented in both the larger population of game scholars and our sample of 30 interviewees. All but one interviewee identified strongly with a single area of study, usually the person’s department or area of research. No single department or discipline dominated; video games were used institutionwide.

Most interviewees had strong disciplinary ties and also had strong patterns of collaboration outside their departments. Collaboration was common for those we interviewed regardless of discipline. We anticipated a higher frequency of collaboration in STEM and health sciences because previous studies showed high levels of formal collaboration in these disciplines, 37 but this did not bear out in the interview sample. Collaborative partnerships took the form of coauthorships, collaborative conference presentations, and participation on doctoral committees, as well as many informal collaborations. Informal collaborations were also commonly described by interviewees and included professional friendships, relationships with advisors and committee members, pilot projects, and interest groups.

These data on collaboration are useful to keep in mind while discussing disciplinary trends around information and technology needs. Widespread collaboration on game-related projects and other projects suggests a need for cross-departmental and cross-disciplinary collaboration among librarians on collection development and the creation of services. Some libraries that invested in game technology do serve a range of users and disciplines, 38 but other prominent collections of games and game technology in academic libraries were driven by the needs of only one or two departments. 39 Awareness of the collaborative partnerships that exist could help libraries go beyond serving one student, class, or researcher at a time, and investments in game technology have the potential to support the work of whole networks of researchers and instructors. Explicit library support of collaborative work with video games could even give fringe projects and new collaborations a space to intersect and thrive. At UMN there is the potential for many departments and subject librarians to guide the development of a possible video game collection, and this would require a very collaborative approach to collection development.

Academic Use of Video Games: Research and Teaching

Video games were commonly used in research across all four disciplines represented in our sample. This confirmed a need for the collection development practices of universities such as UChicago, 40 University of Michigan, 41 and Carleton University, 42 which accommodated users from multiple disciplines.

We did not anticipate how common video games are in classrooms, since published information about game-related courses only identified a handful of classes at any comparable institution, unless they were focused on game design. Additionally, very few course descriptions in the UMN course catalog mentioned video games, and, of the game-related courses we found during our initial searching, most were in the social sciences or arts and humanities. We did not expect so many STEM and health science classes to integrate games as well. In fact, the use of video games in classes was present within all the disciplines, especially in introductory undergraduate courses and upper level seminars. The course descriptions were often vague enough to give the instructor leeway in how to develop his or her individual section, and those who wished to incorporate games could do so. Some departments even encouraged game-related classes due to consistently high enrollment.

Most people in our sample incorporated games into both their research and teaching. We suspect that having a research interest in games may make it more likely for them to incorporate video games into the classroom as well. This may explain why only two people in our sample were using video games exclusively in the classroom.

Overall, knowing how scholars are using video games and gaming technology on campus formed the backbone of this needs assessment. Any effort to provide library support for video game–related work will impact both research and classroom/student needs. Since we know that most scholars are using games in both research and teaching capacities, the support of this work may have double the impact.

Role of Video Games in Research and Teaching

There were clear disciplinary trends in the types of research done with video game technology. The development of video games primarily occurred in STEM, while video games were most often used as a text or an object of study in arts and humanities research. There were also some strong similarities among the disciplinary groups. At least one interviewee in every discipline conducted research that studies “educational technology” or “the influences on people and society.” Since video games were used by different disciplines in different ways, the type of support the library offers should not be done through the lens of a single department or discipline, and a variety of materials need to be available for many different applications including development, study, and experimental design.

Disciplinary differences were more difficult to discern when examining the role of games in teaching. Many classes were new or were only offered once; even so, teaching game design or designing games from scratch occurred not only in STEM but also in social science and arts and humanities classrooms. Incorporating game technology as course material was common, and interviewees identified a number of different ways in which games were used: readings, storytelling devices, and technology in labs. Students were impacted by these course requirements as well. Many interviewees described accommodations for students who did not own a console or a computer equipped to run graphics-intensive games, but some required students to figure out how to access the games on their own (such as via a personal account on the Steam game distribution system). 43

Game design was taught in four classes from three disciplines, which was unexpected because there is no game design program or certificate at UMN. Supporting classes that incorporate game design would be easier if they were all in one area of study, but a subject liaison might only be aware of the one class in his or her discipline. Regular environmental scans might be needed to uncover common technology and material requirements for classes across disciplines for courses that use video games and other emerging technologies.

Information Needs

The most commonly used information sources were Google Scholar, journals, and web sources. The interviewees in the social sciences and arts and humanities were the strongest users of “traditional” library materials such as books and journals. Several interviewees described having to acquire the majority of their texts through interlibrary loan (ILL) because their library did not have the journals or books they needed. Libraries need to review collections in this and other emerging areas to minimize the need for backchannels and shortcuts.

Colleagues were the single most common source of information for interviewees, especially in STEM and health sciences. In one case, a project in health sciences was developed entirely with information and skills contributed from existing relationships. The frequency with which interviewees in this sample collaborate outside their department emphasizes the importance of colleague networks in new and emerging areas. Libraries cross departmental and disciplinary borders and can cultivate a role as a connector for scholars doing similar work in different subject areas with events, experimental technology space, or other strategies.

Libraries should pursue partnerships with existing video game archives and other libraries or investigate shared collection development efforts to help researchers and the public overcome barriers to accessing game-related information sources. Interview participants identified video games as both a kind of technology and a type of information. Games are available in some academic libraries and public libraries, but it is unclear how accessible they are outside their immediate communities or institutions through ILL. Game manuals and trade magazines like Nintendo Power were also used by several interviewees. Public libraries typically collect trade magazines but, according to Worldcat, many often only keep the last 1–2 years. Locating game manuals is even more difficult, as they typically lie only in the hands of hobbyists and collectors. A search on Worldcat shows that relatively few libraries have holdings for either game magazines or manuals, raising the question of how libraries can facilitate access to these materials.

The depth and variety of sources used makes it clear that libraries cannot be the sole gatekeepers of information on this subject. The people in our sample used subscription journals but also ephemeral, noncurated materials (such as game manuals, gaming websites, and streaming games). Other library resources like subscription databases were not as valuable for most interviewees, possibly because they are too narrow in scope or interviewees are simply not aware of them. Rather than collect all of the sources scholars need, libraries can create guides to help scholars locate these materials elsewhere, akin to the University of Michigan CVGA LibGuide. 44

Technology Needs

Interviewees’ needs for devices, displays, and peripherals show no disciplinary trends. Investing in a range of equipment would benefit the largest range of users at UMN. Arts and humanities and social science scholars had a greater need for video games, while those in STEM and health sciences had more software needs. In fact, only one person in STEM identified games as a need, and only one interviewee in arts and humanities used software of any kind.

Disciplinary trends ought to factor into decisions related to purchasing and marketing game technology. For example, at UMN, subject librarians and users in the arts and humanities and social sciences disciplines might be primarily responsible for selecting game titles. Subject librarians for STEM and health sciences should weigh in on video game software selection, since usage would be most expected from STEM and health sciences disciplines.

Among our interviewees, the PC was the most common technology necessary to research and teaching. PCs are necessary to academic work, but there was some nuance to how interviewees used them. PC games are used almost as much as nearly all other types of games combined (console, mobile, and web-based). Mobile games are a growing industry, 45 but they are not used heavily on this campus for academic purposes. Other technology needs are tied to PC games as well; PC accessories, most often graphics cards, were the third highest need in the equipment category. PC games do not require much additional technology besides a computer (unless a powerful game requires faster processing or graphics cards), so they may be more attractive to the researchers and instructors from arts and humanities and social science, who make up the majority of game users. Guidance on collecting PC games is limited, since few academic libraries currently collect them. Most libraries with game collections and services collect console games almost exclusively, likely because console games do not have restrictive digital rights management (DRM) or require an account to play and are easier to collect and lend.

Peripherals were a common technology need, especially in health sciences. Interviewees shared a diverse range of applications for peripherals that have nothing to do with consoles: to control robotics, play PC games, and modify to use as instrumentation. Interviewees also preferred them for their low cost and ability to interface with a number of technologies. Since they are flexible and relatively cheap, libraries and makerspaces could provide a variety of peripherals (with or without consoles) for on-site use or rental.

Acquisition of and Funding for Games and Gaming Technology

In general, interviewees found they could purchase games or technology at stores or online but did not always have funding to do so. The acquisition of games and video game technology was intrinsically tied to funding, which was mentioned as the largest barrier to acquiring technology.

Graduate students used a variety of creative strategies to acquire technology (such as using their personal game collection, borrowing from friends, and other means), whereas faculty and staff simply purchased technology with grants or other funds as needed or used freely available games and technologies, such as online emulators. Graduate students may have less funding available, or they do not know how to access existing funding. The majority of graduate students, all from the social sciences and arts and humanities, were paying out-of-pocket.

Graduate students had the same technology needs as faculty and staff and conduct their own research, often independent of their faculty advisors and any associated funding. STEM graduate students were the only ones receiving grants or new technology funds. We argue that graduate students would be the primary beneficiaries of having video games and technology available, as this would break down disciplinary acquisition and funding barriers. Underfunded graduate students are probably not unique to UMN; and, if libraries made these games and technologies available, graduate students would have much more flexibility in their research. The arts and humanities students who purchased video games out-of-pocket likely used the games as primary research materials, analogous to texts. Since many libraries purchase books for research, it should be easy to purchase games for analogous reasons.

Libraries can also help connect graduate students with funding. Many academic units at UMN provide grants to fund graduate research, and the UMN Libraries subscribe to grant databases and offer workshops on locating grant funding. Since graduate student research is highly valued, it makes sense to assist them in their efforts to acquire game technology by building their grant-seeking skills.

Even though faculty and staff theoretically have the same opportunities for funding, untenured faculty and staff seek more sources of funding to meet their needs, whereas tenured faculty receive most of their funding from grants. Startup packages supported three untenured faculty from STEM and the health sciences, and one staff member reported having to pay out-of-pocket to buy games for classroom use. Faculty and staff for the most part were successful in finding funding to purchase the required technology, but making materials available at the library would put less pressure on faculty and staff to acquire them in other ways and would give them an option to use their funding for other purposes.

Collections in the UMN Libraries are focused primarily on meeting faculty research and teaching needs, as faculty tend to stay at the university longer than students. We recognize that these data could suggest that faculty and staff do not have many barriers to accessing technology and that it is neither necessary nor urgent to include video games and video game technology in library collections. It could also be argued that grants and other funding sources already pay for research and classroom needs and that libraries are not in the business of directly funding research costs like instrumentation, experimental design, or technology development. However, many faculty we spoke to welcomed a chance to collaborate with librarians whether or not the library could directly support their research. Some faculty incorporate games into their outreach service, and many have classes that would benefit from the availability of game materials. We also argue that libraries have a great opportunity to engage with graduate and undergraduate students who want to experiment with games before personally investing in the technology.

By focusing our study on researchers and instructors, we have missed the opportunity to explore implications for students taking classes that incorporate games and gaming technology. What we know came solely from the instructors’ viewpoints; therefore, we do not have a comprehensive picture of how these technologies were made available to students or if they encountered barriers to accessing them. In some classes the game technology was provided, like a health sciences class where Wii balance boards were available to take measurements; but, in another case, students were expected to purchase World of Warcraft and install it on their PCs. Some instructors did note that requiring students to purchase video games may be prohibitive and not directly analogous to purchasing textbooks, as it requires students to own consoles or a high-powered PC that supports gaming. Some attempted to find alternative solutions such as asking the UMN Libraries to install games on library computers and investigating Steam licensing for computer labs. It would be worthwhile to interview students from some of these classes to uncover if they encountered any barriers in attempting to access these technologies.

There is little data available about the information and technology needs of researchers and instructors who use video games in higher education. This study attempted to fill that gap with interviews with faculty, staff, and graduate students from UMN. Scholars from all disciplinary groups were represented and demonstrated both a high level of collaborative activity and use of video games in both research and teaching. As libraries build new video game collections or expand existing collections, they should consider the following findings:

  • Information used in game-related research and teaching includes nontraditional material such as trade magazines and game manuals. Journals were the most common source of information identified overall, but some essential titles may not be collected or indexed in library catalogs.
  • Video games are most often researched as an influence on society and having a role in educational technology. This research is diverse and may have vastly different needs.
  • Video games are commonly used as course material in courses from all disciplines, but console games may not be used as frequently as PC games.
  • All of the interviewees needed game-related technology, though there was much variation among the disciplines: arts and humanities and social sciences required video games; STEM required software; health sciences required peripherals.
  • Graduate students, especially those from arts and humanities, are at a major funding disadvantage compared to colleagues in the sciences. This impedes access to game technology required for research and teaching and often requires them to pay out-of-pocket.

This study found some consistency in video game applications between disciplines but even more differences, especially in technology and information use. This suggests that the support libraries provide should be done collaboratively through a multidisciplinary lens. We propose a strategic approach to video game services and collections focused on disciplinary needs. For UMN, this would mean building a collection focused on PC games, a few console games, cutting-edge equipment with game design software, and a collection of peripherals with or without consoles, perhaps associated with a makerspace. Each academic game collection should reflect its institution, based on an evaluation of the unique needs of its population.

Since this study was limited to the UMN campus, we would like to see similar studies undertaken at various institutions that look at how students use and acquire games for classroom use, as well as a large-scale multi-institution look at the use of games in higher education. As technology changes and moves away from physical media, academic institutions will benefit from studies looking at the impact of DRM on scholarship and libraries. Very few video game companies have partnerships with higher education, and more exploration of this issue is needed. These studies would provide a more complete understanding of scholarly video games–related work and scholars’ information and technology needs.

APPENDIX. Interview Themes, Codes, and Definitions

  • Graduate student: both master’s and doctoral students
  • Untenured faculty and staff: assistant professor, instructor, postdoc
  • Tenured faculty: associate professor, full professor
  • Arts and Humanities: includes any field where the human experience and expressions or explanations thereof are the primary objects of study. History is included here because the interviewees study video games and texts and consider the games as the object of study
  • Health Sciences: medical, kinesiology, and related disciplines
  • Social Sciences: includes any field where humans are the primary object of study
  • STEM: includes disciplines from science, technology, engineering, and mathematics
  • Formal collaborations: working on a project, publishing a paper, working on a grant together, serving as an academic advisor or member of a thesis or dissertation committee
  • Informal collaborations: talking to/with people, sharing ideas
  • Both: a combination of both formal and informal collaborations
  • Intradepartmental: work alone or only collaborate within their own department
  • Interdepartmental (1–2): between 1–2 collaborations outside their own department
  • Interdepartmental (3+): 3+ collaborations outside their own department or split positions between departments
  • Development of games/technology: researcher has created the video game or associated technology
  • Instrumentation: using video games to gather quantitative data
  • Object of study: using critical analysis or thematic study of video games
  • Influences on people or society: researcher is examining the societal impact of video games
  • Educational technology: using video games to facilitate learning and improve student outcomes
  • Undergraduate: lower-level classes, primarily for those pursuing their bachelor’s (1xxx–4xxx)
  • Graduate: upper level classes, marketed toward master’s and doctoral students (5xxx–8xxx)
  • Instructor designed a game: instructor created a video game for use in the classroom
  • Taught game design: instructor taught students how to design their own games
  • Used games as course material: video games were studied in the classroom, as primary sources
  • Discussed games: video games were used in the classroom as secondary sources
  • Other: any other response that did not fall within the above categories
  • Borrowed/given: the material was owned by someone else and the researcher or instructor acquired from them
  • Purchased: the material had to be purchased by the researcher or instructor either out-of-pocket or with other funds
  • Already owned: the instructor or researcher previously owned the material
  • Freely available: available at no cost to consumers
  • Grant (general): acquired funding via another organization to pursue their research or teaching projects
  • New technology funds: funds provided for the explicit purpose of acquiring new technologies
  • Seed grant: initial capital to start a project
  • Department funds: funding provided by researcher’s or instructor’s department
  • Dissertation fund: funding provided by graduate student’s department or graduate school to support dissertation research
  • Startup package: new professor was provided with funding to set up a lab
  • Indirect cost recovery (ICR) funds: funds that the university collects to cover overhead costs when grants are written. A portion is returned back to departments
  • Out-of-pocket: the instructor or researcher had to use personal money to cover the cost
  • MNDrive grant: grant allocated via partnership between the UMN and the state of Minnesota that provides funding in areas of interdisciplinary research that align with specific industries
  • Not required: no funding was required for this research or teaching
  • Equipment, console: consoles, such as Xbox 360, Xbox One, PS3, PS4, Wii, WiiU, or any other
  • Equipment, controllers, and peripherals: secondary equipment for the gaming systems listed above, including controllers, Wiimotes, headsets, Xbox Kinects, Wii balance boards, steering wheels, and the like
  • Equipment, mobile: smartphones, tablets, and other mobile devices, including iPhones, iPads, and such
  • Equipment, display: equipment used to view video games, including television screens, computer monitors, or any other display equipment
  • Equipment, personal computer: includes Mac, Windows, and Linux systems
  • Equipment, personal computer accessories: secondary equipment for PC gaming, including joysticks, controllers, headsets, webcams, and other equipment
  • Games, web: games that are available through a browser or browser-based emulator, or for download online
  • Games, PC: games purchased to play on personal computers
  • Games, console: games purchased to play on consoles
  • Games, mobile: games that are available on smartphones or tablets
  • Programming languages: computer language used to communicate instructions to a machine, including C, C++, Java, Javascript, Python, and other languages
  • Servers: computers or programs that manages access to a network resource
  • Software, proprietary: software that must be purchased from the individual or company that developed it; often includes major restrictions for adaptation and use
  • Software, free or open source: software that is available for free, typically on the web; often allows users to modify or adapt as needed
  • Software, custom: software written by the researcher or instructor from scratch
  • Software, game design: software developed for the specific purpose to design video games
  • Web applications: software application that is available and runs on the web, such as streaming video
  • Archives: historical documents or records
  • Books: written or printed works
  • Colleagues: talking to people in their discipline
  • Conferences: formal meetings for people in related disciplines
  • Course readings: resources that were provided while taking a class
  • Datasets: collection of related sets of information
  • Game manuals: instructions on how to play video games
  • Game reviews: evaluations of video games
  • Games: console, PC, mobile, or web video games
  • Google Scholar: freely accessible web search engine that indexes scholarly literature
  • Interviews: information obtained by interviewing appropriate people
  • Journals: collections of articles about specific subjects or disciplines
  • Library databases: catalog of both full-text resources and indexed citations that are accessible electronically
  • Newsletters: bulletins that are issued periodically
  • News sources: includes both print and website-based news
  • Students: people enrolled in either undergraduate or graduate programs
  • Trade magazines: periodicals that contain news and items about a particular topic
  • Web sources: materials found on the open web

1. Meave Duggan, “Gaming and Gamers” (Report, Pew Research Center, 2015), available online at www.pewinternet.org/2015/12/15/gaming-and-gamers/ [accessed 18 December 2015].

2. Laurence F. Johnson et al., “NMC Horizon Report: 2015 Higher Education Edition,” Horizon Report (Austin, Tex.: The New Media Consortium, 2015), 22, 35, available online at www.nmc.org/publication/nmc-horizon-report-2015-higher-education-edition/ [accessed 18 December 2015].

3. Association of College and Research Libraries, “ACRL Plan for Excellence,” 2015, available online at www.ala.org/acrl/aboutacrl/strategicplan/stratplan [accessed 11 January 2016].

4. Brena Smith, “Twenty-First Century Game Studies in the Academy: Libraries and an Emerging Discipline,” Reference Services Review 36, no. 2 (2008): 205–20, doi:10.1108/00907320810873066.

5. Examples include Mary Laskowski and David Ward, “Building Next Generation Video Game Collections in Academic Libraries,” Journal of Academic Librarianship 35, no. 3 (May 2009): 267–73, doi: 10.1016/j.acalib.2009.03.005 ; Kristen Mastel and Dave Huston, “Using Video Games to Teach Game Design: A Gaming Collection for Libraries,” Computers in Libraries 29, no. 3 (2009): 41–44, available online at http://eric.ed.gov/?id=EJ831241 [accessed 18 December 2015]; and Diane Robson and Patrick Durkee, “New Directions for Academic Video Game Collections: Strategies for Acquiring, Supporting, and Managing Online Materials,” Journal of Academic Librarianship 38, no. 2 (Mar. 2012): 79–84, doi: 10.1016/j.acalib.2012.01.003 .

6. Examples include Natalie Gick, “Making Book: Gaming in the Library: A Case Study,” in Gaming in Academic Libraries: Collections, Marketing, and Information Literacy (Chicago: American Library Association, 2008), 1–25; David Baker et al., “Lessons Learned from Starting a Circulating Videogame Collection at an Academic Library,” in Gaming in Academic Libraries: Collections, Marketing, and Information Literacy (Chicago: American Library Association, 2008), 26–38; Danielle Kane, Catherine Soehner, and Wei Wei, “Building a Collection of Video Games in Support of a Newly Created Degree Program at the University of California, Santa Cruz,” Science & Technology Libraries 27, no. 4 (Aug. 20, 2007): 77–87, doi:10.1300/J122v27n04_06; and Emma Cross, David Mould, and Robert Smith, “The Protean Challenge of Game Collections at Academic Libraries,” New Review of Academic Librarianship 21, no. 2 (May 4, 2015): 129–45, doi:10.1080/13614533.2015.1043467.

7. Mary Laskowski and David Ward, “Building Next Generation Video Game Collections in Academic Libraries,” Journal of Academic Librarianship 35, no. 3 (May 2009): 267–73, doi: 10.1016/j.acalib.2009.03.005 .

8. Andy Burkhardt, “Taking Games in Libraries Seriously,” The Academic Commons (blog), available online at www.academiccommons.org/2014/07/24/taking-games-in-libraries-seriously/ [accessed 5 November 2015].

9. Chris Nelson, “Gaming Reaches into Far Corners of Academic World as U of C Builds Huge Collection,” Calgary Herald (Mar. 16, 2015), available online at http://calgaryherald.com/news/local-news/gaming-reaches-into-far-corners-of-academic-world-as-u-of-c-builds-huge-collection [accessed 4 November 2015].

10. Brian McNeill, “VCU Libraries Launches Collection of Critically Acclaimed Video Games,” VCU News (blog) (Nov. 6, 2014), available online at http://news.vcu.edu/article/VCU_Libraries_launches_collection_of_critically_acclaimed_video [accessed 4 November 2015].

11. Sarah G. Wenzel, “New Library Videogame Collection,” The University of Chicago Library News (blog) (May 25, 2012), available online at http://news.lib.uchicago.edu/blog/2012/05/25/new-library-videogame-collection/ [accessed 30 November 2015].

12. Patrick Jagoda, “Videogame Collection Supports Scholarly Study,” The University of Chicago Library News (blog) (May 25, 2012), available online at http://news.lib.uchicago.edu/blog/2012/05/25/videogame -collection-supports-scholarly-study/ [accessed 30 November 2015].

13. An overview of classes and disciplinary uses is discussed in Mary Claire Morris, “Computer & Video Game Archive Celebrating Five Years of Growth,” The University Record (blog) (Nov. 5, 2013), available online at http://record.umich.edu //articles/computer-video-game-archive-celebrating-five-years-growth [accessed 2 December 2015]. A list of classes and research applications can be found in Valerie Waldron, “Computer & Video Game Archive: CVGA,” University of Michigan Research Guides (2015), available online at http://guides.lib.umich.edu/c.php?g=282987 [accessed 2 December 2015].

14. Emma Cross, David Mould, and Robert Smith, “The Protean Challenge of Game Collections at Academic Libraries,” New Review of Academic Librarianship 21, no. 2 (May 4, 2015): 135–37, doi: 10.1080/13614533.2015.1043467 .

15. David Ward, “Vintage Gaming Collection Development Policy and Description” (Urbana, Ill.: University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, 2014), available online at www.library.illinois.edu/gaming/gamearchives.html [accessed 20 December 2015].

16. Valerie Waldron, “Computer & Video Game Archive: CVGA,” University of Michigan Research Guides (2015), available online at http://guides.lib.umich.edu/c.php?g=282987 [accessed 2 December 2015]

17. University of California Santa Cruz Library, “Video Games” (2015), available online at https://library.ucsc.edu/collections/video-games [accessed 18 December 2015].

18. Diane Robson and Patrick Durkee, “New Directions for Academic Video Game Collections: Strategies for Acquiring, Supporting, and Managing Online Materials,” Journal of Academic Librarianship 38, no. 2 (Mar. 2012): 82, doi: 10.1016/j.acalib.2012.01.003 .

19. Cross, Mould, and Smith, “The Protean Challenge of Game Collections,” 134.

20. McNeill, “VCU Libraries Launches Collection.”

21. Jagoda, “Videogame Collection Supports Scholarly Study.”

22. Adam DePollo, “Play On: Changing Gamer Culture at the ‘U,’” Michigan Daily (Oct. 22, 2014), available online at https://www.michigandaily.com/arts/10computer-video-game-archive22 [accessed 2 December 2015].

23. Laskowski and Ward, “Building next Generation Video Game Collections,” 268.

24. McNeill, “VCU Libraries Launches Collection.”

25. Jagoda, “Videogame Collection Supports Scholarly Study.”

26. University of Calgary Libraries and Cultural Resources, “Video Games,” available online at http://library.ucalgary.ca/dmc/video-games [accessed 4 November 2015].

27. Emma Cross and Robert Smith, “The Evolution of Gaming at Academic Libraries,” Canadian Library Association Conference (Winnepeg, Manitoba, 2013), available online at https://prezi.com/supsungb2uil/the-evolution-of-gaming-at-academic-libraries/ [accessed 4 November 2015].

28. Burkhardt, “Taking Games in Libraries Seriously.”

29. Three examples of soliciting direct feedback from faculty and students are found in Kane, Soehner, and Wei, “Building a Collection of Video Games”; Laskowski and Ward, “Building Next Generation Video Game Collections”; and Cross, Mould, and Smith, “The Protean Challenge of Game Collections.”

30. Nelson, “Gaming Reaches into Far Corners of Academic World.”

31. DePollo, “Play On: Changing Gamer Culture at the ‘U.’”

32. Laskowski and Ward, “Building Next Generation Video Game Collections,” 268.

33. Cross, Mould, and Smith, “The Protean Challenge of Game Collections,” 133.

34. Jagoda, “Videogame Collection Supports Scholarly Study.”

35. Waldron, “Computer & Video Game Archive.”

36. Mark T. Gilderhus, History and Historians : A Historiographical Introduction , 7th ed. (Englewood Cliffs, N.J.: Prentice Hall, 2010), 41.

37. Vincent Larivière, Yves Gingras, and Éric Archambault, “Canadian Collaboration Networks: A Comparative Analysis of the Natural Sciences, Social Sciences and the Humanities,” Scientometrics 68, no. 3 (2006): 519–33, doi:10.1007/s11192-006-0127-8.

38. Nelson, “Gaming Reaches into Far Corners of Academic World.”

39. Kane, Soehner, and Wei, “Building a Collection of Video Games.”

40. Wenzel, “New Library Videogame Collection.”

41. Mary Claire Morris, “Computer & Video Game Archive Celebrating Five Years of Growth,” The University Record (blog) (Nov. 5, 2013), available online at http://record.umich.edu //articles/computer-video-game-archive-celebrating-five-years-growth [accessed 2 December 2015].

42. Cross, Mould, and Smith, “The Protean Challenge of Game Collections,” 144.

43. For more information, see http://store.steampowered.com/about /.

44. Waldron, “Computer & Video Game Archive.”

45. John Gaudiosi, “Mobile Game Revenues Set to Overtake Console Games in 2015,” Fortune , (Jan. 15, 2015), available online at http://fortune.com/2015/01/15/mobile -console-game-revenues-2015/ [accessed 15 January 2016].

* Shannon L. Farrell is Natural Resources Librarian in the Natural Resources Library at the University of Minnesota Twin Cities; e-mail: [email protected] . Amy E. Neeser is Assistant Librarian, Library Research—Science and Engineering in the University Library at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor; e-mail: [email protected] . Carolyn Bishoff is Physics, Astronomy, and Earth Sciences Librarian in the Walter Library at the University of Minnesota Twin Cities; e-mail: [email protected] ). ©2017 Shannon L. Farrell, Amy E. Neeser, and Carolyn Bishoff, Attribution-NonCommercial ( http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/ ) CC BY-NC.

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Argumentative Video Games Essay Topics

Video games haven’t been around for decades, but the impact they have on kids and the world, in general, is massive. Typical video games are made up of a user-interface and interaction that sends a visual response to 3 or 2-dimensional video displays to keep the gamers thrillingly attached to the action. The story of video games doesn’t end with the practical part of it.  Today, video games have become a major topic of interests in most universities and colleges.

Students pursuing a course in journalism, sociology, political science, and public health will often be given video games assignments. Video games incorporate fresh content and data relating to journalism, sociology, political science, and public health.  For students to find their way around the involving and complex context of video games, they must be mentally ready to research for pure content and handle the challenges of creating unique content. Besides, they must understand which video game essay topics work to drive home the kind of information they are working on. Whether journalism, political science, sociology or public health student looking for convincing and informative video games essay topics, TopicsBase has got you covered.

  • The Role Video Games Play in Improving Learning
  • Violence and Video Games
  • The Negative Impacts Video Games have on Children
  • Violent Video Games Nurture Aggressive Behavior in Kids
  • The Effects Violent Video Games Have on Children
  • Invention, Growth and Refinement of Video Games
  • Video Games As The Drive Behind Increased Violence Behaviors in Teens
  • The Role Video Games Play In Enhancing Teens Critical Thinking
  • The Pros and Cons of Video Games
  • Sex and Violence as The Main Themes in Video Games
  • Early Exposure to Video Games and the Effect it Has on Teenagers
  • The Effect Of Violence in Video Games in New Relationships
  • The Popularity and Increased Demand for Video Games
  • The Positive Effects of Video Games on The Society
  • The Frightening Nature Of Video Games
  • How First Person Shooters Make Players React Faster?
  • The Future of Video Games in The Coming Decade
  • The History of Video Games
  • The Nature of Assassin Video Game Simulations
  • The Relationship Between Youth Violence and Violent Video Games
  • How do Video Games act as A Learning Tool?
  • Video Games As The Future Of Learning and Education
  • Ethical Responsibility In Modern Video Games
  • Don’t Play Video Games, and Here is Why
  • The Pros and Cons of Videos
  • How to Control Addition to Video Games
  • Video Games Should Be Banned For Elevating Cases of Violence in Teens
  • The Role of Parents In Regulating Teens’ Access to Violent Video Games
  • The Mental and Physical Benefits of Video Games
  • Can Playing Violent Video Games Hurt My Emotions?
  • The Healing Effect of Video Games
  • Analysis of Different Types of Video Games
  • How Video Games Affect Your Brain and Emotions
  • Myths and Misconceptions About Video Games
  • The Rise of Video Games has Taken the World By Surprise

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Science Connected Magazine

How Video Games Are Making Research Fun

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Gamification and citizen science meet when research projects create video games to make data collection and analysis fun.

The SciStarter Blog

By Nathaniel Scharping

While we might imagine a scientist as a chemist concocting substances in a lab, or a biologist diving with sea creatures, the reality is often far more mundane. Much of science involves collecting and analyzing data, and that process isn’t always very exciting. Think counting bacteria in a petri dish, or noting if two stars look alike in an image of the Milky Way.

But a number of research projects have found a way to buck that trend and turn the grinding work of data collection and analysis into something fun, even rewarding. By creating games that bake the process of data collection into their mechanics, players can contribute data and even uncover new insights just by playing along. Gamification, along with the growing movement known as citizen science, which invites volunteers to take part in real science research, is, in its own way, reshaping what it means to do science.

Gamifying Science

Games that pair citizen science with rewarding play are probing treatments for cancer, helping to cure Alzheimer’s, probing the foundations of language and more. Not only are the games made to be fun, but they address a prevailing issue among crowdsourcing projects: the dropoff rate. Citizen science games tackle the problem with game mechanics that allow players to uncover valuable data through the simple act of playing, keeping them engaged. The results can be striking: Volunteers with the citizen science game Stall Catchers were able to process 50 times as much data as scientists working alone. And research in The Lancet on citizen science volunteers playing the game Cell Slider found that the players were more than 90 percent accurate in classifying images of tumors, nearing the accuracy of trained pathologists.

“The concept is for the player, without actually knowing the background of the problem, without knowing the science of the problem, to be able to do something that helps solve the problem,” says Jay Halderman, the vice president of  BALANCED Media |Technology , a video game company that’s created multiple citizen science video games.

The studio’s most recent game is a pattern-matching challenge called Rocks & Runes . Players place cartoon bombs on a board filled with brightly-colored runes, with the goal of destroying rocks and matching runes together. The game might feel familiar to anyone who’s ever played Candy Crush, and it takes all of five minutes to get the hang of.

Screenshot of Rocks & Runes gameplay

But beneath the bursts of color and flurries of point multipliers, players’ decisions are actually sorting through data from FDA-approved drug compounds to identify those that might be useful against multiple-drug-resistant chemotherapy. By eliminating rocks with bombs, players are virtually eliminating the ineffective properties of existing drugs and pointing machine learning algorithms toward more useful compounds, helping to sift out promising candidates from thousands of drugs.

Still, a player doesn’t even need to know the potential scientific benefits to enjoy the game. Adding enough reward to the gameplay to keep players interested in the game itself is a fundamental goal when designing citizen science games, says Nathan Bowden, a senior game designer at BALANCED Media|Technology.

“Everything we do, we’re trying to look at it through the lens of ‘is this fun?’” he says.

The designers often draw from existing video game archetypes — pattern matching, first-person shooters and more — when looking for inspiration. Sometimes the real challenge is simply finding the right paradigm for a particular dataset or scientific problem, Bowden says. When designing Wiley Wizard , a game that works with the same dataset as Rocks & Runes, the designers played around with half a dozen different game ideas before settling on one, a spooky cartoon world where a wizard fights ghosts.

“There’s just so many different ways you can encapsulate one piece of research into a single mechanic,” Bowden says.

Games With an Open Canvas

Another citizen science game, Glyph , takes a different approach. Instead of creating rigid rules or a defined path of gameplay, the project, which studies and compares alphabets from around the world, instead offers players a nearly blank slate.

The simple game asks players to come up with a set of rules to differentiate letters from alphabets around the world. The goal, says Olivier Morin , one of the game’s creators and a researcher at the Max Planck Institute for Geoanthropology in Jena, Germany, is to develop a kind of grammar of letter shapes that the researchers can use to study how letters have evolved and how the shapes of letters affect our cognition. The researchers could have paid participants to do the work, like other lab experiments often do, Morin says. But by gamifying the process of data collection, he hopes they’ll be able to reach people who are much more creatively involved in the process, and more likely to come up with unique solutions.

“We need creative players who want to push the boundaries of the game and create unique kinds of data we could never gather in an experiment,” Morin says.

Players get points for coming up with rules for classifying the shapes of letters (think: these are all round, these all have a vertical line), with extra points if they’re the first-ever person to propose a particular rule. The response so far has been encouraging, Morin says, with a few thousand players from around the world. That’s ideal for a small game like theirs, he says, where the real goal is to reach people who might be highly interested in the challenge. Their top player right now has more than 60,000 points, which represents weeks of gameplay.

“That person really spent weeks trying to devise the most elegant, intelligible but innovative classification she could think of to make sense of letter shapes,” Morin says. “There’s no way a paid participant would do that in a few hours.”

Screenshot of Omega Cluster gameplay.

At Balanced Media, the designers have been exploring other ways to entice players to participate, including creating games that can be played inside live Twitch streams, which allow gamers to broadcast matches and interact. They created a new game styled like the classic “Asteroids” arcade game that can be played between matches right on Twitch. Players must separate matter from antimatter by drawing a straight line across the screen, a simple task that helps sort the same drug compound data as Rocks & Runes and Wiley Wizard.

Other citizen science games offer even more ways to get involved. The popular Stall Catchers game asks players to find “stalls,” or blocked blood vessels, in images of mouse brains to advance Alzheimer’s research. And in the iPad game NeMO- Net , players classify corals to help train an algorithm that’s watching over the health of coral reefs around the world.

There may be even more ways for gamers to do citizen science soon. Or, to put it another way, we may soon have even more fun citizen science games. The technology and infrastructure supporting the video game industry continues to grow, unlocking new capabilities and audiences as it does so.

“It’s giving us more and more opportunities for ways to present these things to a player,” Bowden says. “That’s incredibly exciting, the potential there.”

Want to try some for yourself? Find dozens of citizen science games on SciStarter .

About the Author

Nate is a science writer and editor who has reported everywhere from particle colliders to archaeological digs. He’s also a cofounder of Lunaris Creative, an agency focused on scientific storytelling for brands and nonprofits. You can find clips of his work at nathanielscharping.com.

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The video game industry is one of the most lucrative in the world. The budding niche is interesting because of its incorporation as a pastime, hobby, and opportunity for earning money. For students, it provides enough dynamics for evaluation and analysis. A research paper example could evaluate the impact of video gaming and changing times. It includes addiction and lure, adroit methodology, economic impact, and suitable use of technology. The angle of investigation is simply inexhaustible.

video game topic for research paper

Only some researchers are familiar with video gaming. As a result, drafting perfect essays on video games can take time and effort. If you don’t have the skills or a research paper example, you can review the writing services offered by Paperell and hire an expert for a perfect essay. When done correctly, you’ll find that crafting a good paper about video games is almost the same as any other theme. Follow these tips and improve your result.

Do a lot of fact-finding

The first thing before starting your article is extensive theme research. It is even more crucial if you’re discussing a foreign niche. Therefore, it is time for a change if you’ve always preferred old-school storybooks more than video games.

Video gaming has a lot of positive and negative effects on the player and the economy. As a result, it is a potentially contentious theme. Not only this, but players don’t often agree that the game affects their behaviors and lifestyle. For instance, video games can be addictive. In contrast, there are reviews of educational video games aimed at helping kids channel their curiosity and adventure spirit at an early age. It can also help social connections and improve their imaginative and creative skills.

If you’re throwing yourself amid such contention, you must do so with a grounded knowledge of the research papers subject. Interrogate people, play games yourself, or read a research paper example. Do other things necessary to grab the theme and improve your ability to communicate it to an 8-year-old. This way, you will also draft research papers on video games that will attract all stakeholders.

Choose a topic

You can use various areas as focal points when researching video games. But one of the mistakes students make is picking a focal area with few facts or which they are not too familiar with. So, before choosing research paper topics, you must first ask a series of questions so you can gather enough facts about video game topics. Below is exciting areas and a research paper example:

  • Virtual games and simulators: people are switching the real world into digital worlds. There, they can match and achieve desires they can’t fulfill in real life. Although it allows an escape from their limited world, how does it affect them and their behavior in society?
  • Violence: there are many arguments associated with video games, one of which is their influences on kids and violence. Unlike when every kid held a storybook, they are now exposed to on-screen violence early in life. Can this affect their whole life? Also, what does it say about parents that allow their kids to play all day without monitoring and substituting it for real-life activities?
  • Psychology: a researcher can learn about the psychology of players altered by video games. You can explore addictions, safe playing, fun, etc.

video game topic for research paper

Create a strong thesis

After gathering your facts and deciding the direction and flow of your article, you can proceed with your thesis. However, not everyone knows how to write a thesis statement that stands out. One of the mistakes video game writers make is assumption and generalization. Don’t convince anyone with perceived ideas. Instead, support your argument using documented or generally accepted facts about video gaming, orienting on research paper example.

Write with precision

Craft an introduction, body, and conclusion that summarizes your findings. When you draft the body, structure it logically and divide it into subsections so it is easier to arrange your ideas. Start by reading the brief to ensure you address the problem and carry your reader along with the text. Use headers, tables of content, numbers, tables, pictures, and charts. Include references and bibliographies to aid readability.

Create a perfect environment

One of the best ways to approach writing – start very early. Don’t start your paper until the last minute, as this increases the risk of sloppy mistakes and late penalties. When you start a few weeks before the deadline, you can have enough time for other elements like revising, reading, proofreading, and editing your content. We recommend you do it in an academic place, block digital distractions, and check a research paper example for pointers.

Avoid plagiarism

Stealing someone’s work and passing it as your own to avoid the time-intensive process of writing is easy. However, cutting corners with plagiarism could get you an automatic zero, suspension, or expulsion. Interestingly, plagiarism detection software makes life easier for your professors. Therefore, avoid every type of plagiarism and always cite your sources.

Drafting a video game paper can be an uphill battle of struggle that will demand your dedication and hard work. To simplify your workload, don’t format and edit alone. Always ask your friends and professors for feedback. We recommend you follow these tips for creating content that stands out.

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<p>This research begins with the premise that while video-games have become a pervasive cultural force over the last four decades, there is still a dearth of educational and historical material regarding the emergence of video game home consoles and their content. Games have an extensive history, dating back to early radar displays and oscilloscopes of the 1960s (Tennis for Two, 1958) and early home video game consoles of the 1970s (Magnavox Odyssey, 1972). From the JAMMA (Japanese Amusement Machine and Marketing Association) arcade standard of the 80s to the high powered processors of Sonys PS4, video games have come a long way and left a wealth of audio-visual material in their wake. Much of this material, however, is archived and engaged within a traditional manner: through text books or museum exhibitions (Games Master, ACMI 2015). Through interactive design however, this data can be made easily comprehensible and accessible as interactive data-visualisation content. This design research project explores processes of data visualization, interactive design and video game production to open up video game history and communicate its developmental stages in a universally accessible manner. Though there has been research conducted utilising game engines for visualizations in other fields (from landscape architecture to bio-medical science) it has rarely been used to visualize the history of gaming itself. This visualization (utilising the Unreal Engine and incorporating historical video content) creates an accessible preservation and catalogue of video game history, and an interactive graphical interface that allows users to easily learn and understand the history of console development and the processes that lead video games to their current state.</p>

Teachers' Perceptions of Using Digital Gaming in Classrooms

Digital gaming is a widespread activity in our society; more than 45 million homes have video-game consoles. Mostly, educators see this as a waste of valuable time that could be used for learning instead. Thus, the purpose of this qualitative study is to understand teachers' perspectives on using digital gaming among their students at Northern Illinois University in the state of Illinois. The main findings of this study discovered that most of the teachers who were interviewed have a positive attitude toward digital gaming and they think it that has a number of benefits that should not be ignored. Moreover, the results of this study revealed that teachers noted that using digital games increased students' engagement as well as improved students' skills, such as critical thinking, self- directed learning, technological skills, and self- motivation. This study has showed that indeed digital games have a bright future as a tool used at various stages of learning for different levels of students. Consequently, the educational policy makers should to embrace digital gaming as a learning tool.

Exergames to Prevent the Secondary Functional Deterioration of Older Adults during Hospitalization and Isolation Periods during the COVID-19 Pandemic

 The COVID-19 pandemic is having an intense impact on the functional capacity of older adults, making them more vulnerable to frailty and dependency. The development of preventive and rehabilitative measures which counteract the consequences of confinement or hospitalization is an urgent need. Exergaming can promote physical activity, prevent falls, and maintain functional and cognitive capacity. However, although the use of exergames in health programs for the elderly is promising, their widespread use should not be considered without the supervision of a social health professional. Therefore, the objective of this work was to evaluate and analyze three video game consoles (Nintendo Wii®, Xbox-Kinect® and Play Station 4®) and 26 commercial exergames with the aim of identifying their usefulness for the prevention of functional deterioration. Three occupational therapists analyzed the data independently, and subsequently agreed on the results. The examination of the commercial consoles met three criteria: components, interaction channels and the type of the exergame. Each exergame was analyzed taking into account its ability to train postural control, balance, upper limb functionality and cognitive function. The results of the evaluation showed that exergames contain game activities that can be part of the rehabilitative treatment aimed at the prevention of the functional impairment of older people affected by COVID. 

Create a Remote-Control Application with Spotify

Spotify is a music streaming service that was developed in Stockholm, Sweden. The first version was released back in 2008 and today it doesn't only provide music, but video and podcasts as well. Growing rapidly from a startup in Sweden to the biggest music service in the world, Spotify has apps running on video game consoles and mobile phones, and has integration with many social networks. Luckily, Spotify is also a great platform for developers and provides a really nice and well-documented REST API where it's possible to make searches by artists, search by albums, search by tracks and play songs. Our project enables us to access the Spotify through the remote client i.e., Terminal. We will implement two types of authentication flow that Spotify supports i.e., client credentials and authorization flow. Finally, we will implement a remote client where the users can search for artists, browse artist’s albums and tracks and play a song in the user’s active device.

The Hidden Potential Within Video Game Consoles

<div><div><div><p>Video game consoles share many of the characteristics of an ideal device for use in enterprise deployments. In comparison to many desktop and notebook PCs available in the market, modern video game consoles are actually quite powerful and capable. They provide an excellent user experience with simple and intuitive setup and operation. At the heart of the design of many modern video game consoles is security; they are remarkably resilient against very sophisticated hardware and software attacks. They are also rather cost-effective in comparison to modern PCs.</p></div></div></div>

“Have You Played Atari Today?”

Around 1980, home video game consoles began to transition from a luxury product for affluent technophiles into a mass-market entertainment product. Television advertisements were central to that transition, not least in that they helped shape a popular image of who plays video games. This chapter examines the prominent role of music in an influential early television advertising campaign for Atari, the leading maker of home consoles at the time. The music of the “Have You Played Atari Today?” campaign reached across gender and age demographics, positioning Atari’s products as fun for every member of the family. Although most ads of the series were unified musically through the use of the same extended jingle, each featured lyrics tailored to demonstrate the product’s appeal to various members of an extended family. Furthermore, the jingle’s musical hook eventually became a standalone sonic signifier for the Atari brand that endured for years beyond the initial campaign.

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