Millions of people all over the world play video games. Gaming is one of the most popular forms of entertainment now, not only among younger generations but people of practically all ages. With the rise of affordable and accessible internet, gaming has become a hobby of multitudes of people, especially students. But why is this so? Here are 4 reasons why gaming is so popular among students.
It’s a way to escape routine
College years may be fun but also tough. The academic load is huge, with neverending classes, tasks, and constant deadlines; all of it turns into a routine for the next 4-5 years of your life. Anyone can get sick of it, no doubt. If you’re thinking, “I’d rather have someone writing papers and taking a break from my studies,” – you’re thinking of the right thing. Getting sucked into a routine is the worst, especially when you’re young and full of energy.
To escape from the vicious circle of stressful academic life, a lot of students play video games. It’s a great way to relax for a couple of hours in the evening without leaving your room. A video game can provide an immersive experience that makes you feel like you’re actually in the game. Gaming allows students to enter a virtual world and take on a new identity for a couple of hours. Isn’t it a great way to take your thoughts off of your studies for a moment?
But of course, everything should be in moderation. Sitting in front of a computer for 12 hours every day, sacrificing your other responsibilities, is not cool at all. Unfortunately, a lot of people resort to gaming as a way to escape real-life problems. Should we say that’s not the way to solve your problems? Balance is the key, and you should know that.
It’s easy and accessible
It doesn’t matter what you have – a PC, console, or even a smartphone. Having at least one of those devices gives you access to the wonderful and magnificent world of gaming. Even if you don’t want to spend $60 on a game every time, there are plenty of online free-to-play games – Warzone, Fortnite, Valorant, etc. Some digital gaming platforms, like Epic Games, for example, often give out a lot of top-tier games absolutely for free.
The only thing that may bother you while playing on a PC or smartphone is system requirements. If you want to play new and demanding triple-A games, you need to have powerful hardware. And rest assured, it may cost a lot. But still, you can run the majority of great single-player and online games on your low- or mid-end PC and enjoy them. Consoles, on the other hand, are designed in a way users don’t need to worry about system requirements. They are purpose-built devices that are optimized for gaming.
As you can see, you can play video games without breaking the bank. In addition, used disks and older consoles can be purchased secondhand at much lower prices. Game distribution services like Steam run huge sales throughout the year. If you’re always striving for the latest and greatest, gaming may be expensive. But in a lot of ways, it’s more affordable than ever.
It adds a competitive component
While many people don’t consider cybersport as a real discipline, the eSports industry is at its peak today. Cybersport tournaments in different games are held every 2-3 months, with millions of people watching and rooting for their favorite teams. For example, in 2021, Dota 2 held its annual international competition with a prize pool of $40.2 million! The total eSports revenue was estimated at $1.4 billion in 2022. And that is truly impressive.
However, you don’t need to be a professional player to get the feeling of rivalry and competition in a game. The most popular online games like CS: GO, Valorant, League of Legends, or Dota 2 are known for their competitive gameplay. All of these games require fast reflexes, the ability to make quick decisions, and tactics. You’ll have to spend quite a long time mastering your skills if you want to climb the ranking system.
But that’s why we love competitive games. The sense of rivalry and desire to prove you’re the best is encoded in our DNA. Video games are a great alternative for top-tier competition if you don’t have enough time and resources for convenient sports like football or basketball. Playing in a team with your friends is a bonding experience. Having a common goal and working together to win yet another match is always exciting. Besides, some time every day to master your gaming skills won’t hurt your academic performance at all.
It helps you socialize
Many video games have online multiplayer modes, which allow players to compete, cooperate and simply communicate with other players in real-time. Social interaction is a part of almost every online game today. There are tons of stories about how people met each other playing multiplayer and how they keep their friendship to this day. Or how some people found the love of their life by playing their favorite games. And this is actually a real thing.
But online communication is a double-edged sword. Some people may be friendly and welcoming, but some of them are toxic, mean, and even evil. You can befriend somebody and play together for a common cause. Or that friend can stab you in the back and take all of your online possessions. The virtual world is a cruel place sometimes. Though a lot used to say online gaming is isolating, now it’s considered more as a considerable social activity.
Online gaming can often be time-consuming. If you don’t want to spend time on your papers and just want to play some and make friends online, paper writing services are always there for you. But don’t get carried away by the games – after all, we live in the real world, not the virtual one.
Conclusion
As you can see, gaming is a fulfilling and engaging activity for everyone. Considering the 4 above-mentioned points, there’s no wonder why video games are so popular among students.
