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Revealed: The emotional, social, and developmental benefits of gaming


- 28% of internet users play games to meet new people
- A third of gamers say they play because they like to challenge themselves.
- There are 20,000 gaming jobs in the UK, providing plenty of opportunity for a career in the industry
- We spoke to three experts in the field who gave their insights into the gaming industry
There are lots of negative misconceptions about gaming, many of which are far from the truth. A new study turns stereotypes on their heads and reveals the emotional, social, and developmental benefits of gaming. Dr Rachel Kowert, Research Director of Take This – a mental health non-profit; Dr Matthew Barr, a lecturer of Game Studies at the University of Glasgow; and Noel McDermott, a psychotherapist and presenter of The Well-Being Show podcast, provide their thoughts and insights. Here are some of the highlights:
Gaming can boost mental wellbeing and help with feelings of loneliness
- Thanks to well-crafted storylines and lifelike graphics, games are the perfect form of escapism
- 34% of gamers identify the feeling of being immersed in a game as a key motivation to play
- The global gaming population is likely to have increased by 4% since the outbreak of Covid-19
Especially in challenging times, activities that provide a positive distraction and allow an individual to put their worries to the back of their mind can have a beneficial impact on mental wellbeing. Gaming is an excellent example of this, offering an immersive experience that can mentally transport you to another world.
Barr says, “Video games are good at getting players into the state of optimal experience that psychologists call ‘flow’, by offering an appropriate balance of challenge versus achievement. It’s that feeling of being ‘in the zone’, where you’re totally absorbed in the task at hand, and you’re operating at the top of your game. In turn, this has a positive impact on how players feel.”
This is because the sense of reward releases feel-good hormones called dopamine that boost the player’s mood. What’s more, gaming can offer meditative benefits by fully occupying your mind with the objectives of the game.
Kowert adds that, “Gameplay can also teach skills that have long been associated with increased happiness and prolonged life satisfaction, including openness to experience, self-care, a growth mindset, solution-focused thinking, mindfulness, persistence, self-discovery, and resilience.”
Gaming can maintain and build new relationships
- Half of gamers play with their real-life friends
- 28% of internet users play games to meet new people
- 1 in 3 internet users in the UK say the main reason they game is to have fun with people they know
Contrary to popular belief, gaming can be a sociable activity. Many games offer multiplayer modes or are designed to be played in teams, providing the opportunity for individuals to join forces with their existing friends or virtually meet new people – located anywhere in the world.
McDermott says, “Gaming, especially online, can provide immeasurable benefits to those who are lonely and isolated. It provides safe social contact and a place where skills can be developed. These skills can provide a much-needed boost to self-esteem.”
Research found that 60% of gamers report playing more games with social elements since the beginning of the pandemic, suggesting gaming can play a positive and pivotal role in connecting people at a time when face-to-face contact isn’t always possible.
Kowert explains, “Shared experiences, like playing games together, have been linked to increased self-esteem and a sense of belonging, as well as decreased feelings of depression, anxiety, and isolation.”
Gaming can teach life skills and cognitive abilities
- There are 20,000 gaming jobs in the UK, providing plenty of opportunity for a career in gaming
- Minecraft: Education Edition, for example, has applications in geography, history, engineering, and physics
- A third of gamers say they play because they like to challenge themselves.
While gaming can provide a fun form of entertainment, it can also contribute to the player’s cognitive development. For example, many titles involve problem solving, strategy and multi-tasking, among other skills.
Kowert explains, “Games are fantastic learning tools, particularly for children, because they are so engaging. Video games are also great vehicles for sharpening cognitive skills because they provide a range of different challenges within a single space. Gameplay has been associated with the improvement of a range of cognitive skills, including:
- improved creative thinking
- problem solving
- time management
- leadership skills
- goal setting
- initiative taking
- decision making
- persistence in the face of difficult challenges.”
It’s estimated that children aged 12-15 years old spend an average of 11.6 hours a week gaming. So, with gaming being such a widely enjoyed hobby, it’s encouraging to note that it could be effectively harnessed as an educational tool to teach numerous skills and knowledge. What’s more, with the gaming industry growing year-on-year (and estimated to be worth £3.86 billion in 2020), it could also open doors for careers in the industry.
Barr explains, “We all learn new skills through practice, whether that’s learning how to play an instrument or training to play sports more proficiently. Learning from a video game is no different – you’re exercising skills all the time, whether it’s figuring out puzzles or using your communication and language skills to talk to and strategize with your fellow players.”
Gaming myths debunked
- 52% of Brits play video games, demonstrating its popularity and prevalence in daily life
- Gaming is the nation’s second favourite pastime, after watching TV
- Brits spend an average of 7 hours a week gaming, which is just a third of the time spent watching TV (22.5 hrs)
Over the years, gaming has been associated with negative stereotypes and behaviours, such as laziness, violence, and isolation. There is little evidence to prove any of these correct. Instead, in many cases, gaming can be more beneficial for the player’s health, development, and social abilities than it is detrimental. In fact, with over half of Brits playing games, it’s apparent that gaming is just a part of modern life for many.
Kowert explains, “There is no evidence to suggest that playing games online has a negative impact on our ability to socialise. However, research has found that playing games with our friends online can strengthen our offline friendships and relationships.”
Another concern that often arises is the amount of time people spend gaming and whether gaming has addictive qualities. Talking on the topic, Barr explains that, “People talk about players becoming ‘addicted’ to games, without really considering what that word means, in a clinical sense. We don’t bat an eyelid when someone becomes so engrossed in a book that they sit there reading for hours on end, but somehow this sort of behaviour is perceived as problematic when it comes to games.”
Source: Latest News on European Gaming Media Network
This is a Syndicated News piece. Photo credits or photo sources can be found on the source article: Revealed: The emotional, social, and developmental benefits of gaming

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Week 10/2025 slot games releases
Here are this weeks latest slots releases compiled by European Gaming
Spinomenal has unveiled Irish Treasures 2 – the follow up to the hugely successful original Irish Treasures – Leprechaun’s Fortune. Players return to an enchanted forest that shimmers with green embers under a darkened canopy. The game is set within a 5×3 format, framed in a wooden frame to give the feeling of being inside an old Irish drinking tavern. A red-haired pixie, pot of gold, beer tankard and wooden pipe complete the rustic feel.
BGaming is thrilled to announce the launch of Alice WonderLuck. Inspired by the whimsical world of Lewis Caroll’s iconic novel, Alice Wonderluck invites players to conjure up some magic on the reels. Alice WonderLuck plunges players into a vibrant reimagining of Wonderland, where a series of familiar characters are given a fresh, digital makeover. The classic tale’s creative and slightly off-kilter atmosphere has been brought to life perfectly with an enchanting soundtrack.
Push Gaming reinvigorates classic entertainment with its homage to retro fruit machines in its latest release, Power Vault. This slot is the debut game from Reel Hot Games, a new sub-brand of Push Gaming, blending nostalgic slot themes with innovative mechanics for players seeking lower and medium volatility. Blending modern mechanics with classic aesthetics, Power Vault is played across 3×3 reels and five paylines. Players must match iconic symbols like sevens, bars and bells across these pay lines to be awarded a win.
Prepare to face the legendary Gorgon in Medusa’s Madness, a mythology-infused slot where every cascade brings players closer to her petrifying power. Step into the depths of Medusa’s lair, where a 5×5 cascading grid slot awaits those daring enough to confront the serpent-haired queen. Clusters of four or more symbols trigger wins, charging the mysterious Portal to unlock powerful effects. With Special Wilds, symbol removals, and the chance to summon Medusa’s Mega Wild form, players must tread carefully if they hope to escape unscathed.
Hölle Games has released Jolly Wild Deluxe slot game, a 6×3 return of the Jolly character who some might say is more suited to a horror franchise than a slot. This time the Jolly brings a companion, a gold-faced twin who acts as a multiplier and awards 2x in the base game for any active payline. However subsequent Jollies also multiply, meaning that a payline reward could be multiplied by up to 32x.
Introducing Steamworks – Gears of Fortune, the newest offering from the acclaimed game studio Peter & Sons. This medium volatility video slot boasts unique game mechanics and immerses players in a dystopian, steam-powered universe nestled within the ruins of an industrial city, where the gears of fortune determine your destiny!
Strike gold with Dynamite Trio from Booming Games, the explosive slot featuring a thrilling 3-pot feature! Join the prospector on a deep mining adventure, where golden nuggets of fun and features are waiting to be uncovered. Put on your hard hat and brace yourself for some of the most exciting bonuses and rewards yet! Dynamite Trio is a 3×5, 20-line slot packed with exciting features. At the core of the game is the 3-pot system, with three powerful dynamite Scatters: Boost, Expand, and Collect.
Relax Gaming, the iGaming aggregator and supplier of unique content, is sending players on a mission they’ll never fur-get as they clean up the streets of pesky pooches in Purrrminator. This 6×4 Connected Ways slot can see players net up to 5,000x their stake, Free Spins and an innovative Reverse Avalanche mechanic. The Reverse Avalanche feature sees all winning symbols locked in place and retained whilst new symbols drop A round only ends when no more matching symbols land on the reels.
Evoplay has launched Young Buffalo Song, a nature-inspired slot that takes players on a journey through the vast North American plains. Set on a 5×4 reel layout with 20 pay lines, the game introduces Wild multipliers that appear on reels 2, 3, and 4, boosting wins by x2 or x3 in both the base game and Free Spins. Landing three or more Scatter symbols awards up to 20 Free Spins, with Wild multipliers remaining active throughout.
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European Esports Championship 2025 to Take Place from July 9-13
The International Esports Federation (IESF) is thrilled to announce that the European Esports Championship 2025 will be hosted in Pristina, Kosovo, from 9-13 July. This tournament will bring together 180 esports athletes from across Europe, competing in some of the world’s most popular game titles.
The championship will feature:
Counter Strike 2 – Top 16 teams
Counter Strike 2 Women – Top 8 teams
Dota 2 – Top 12 teams
The road to Pristina begins with an intense online qualification stage, taking place from 16 May to 1 June. The top-performing teams from this stage will earn their spot at the European Esports Championship, where they will battle for national glory in front of a passionate esports audience.
“We are excited to bring the European Esports Championship to Pristina, a city with an emerging esports scene and a strong community of gamers. This event will showcase the incredible talent of European players and reinforce the growing significance of esports in the region,” said Igor Nedeski, Esports Manager at IESF.
The European Esports Championship 2025 promises high-level competition,live broadcasts, and a thrilling esports experience for both players and fans. More details regarding match schedules, venue information, and streaming platforms will be revealed in the coming weeks.
The post European Esports Championship 2025 to Take Place from July 9-13 appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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RaceiQ metrics now available for free on Racing TV platforms – in time for Cheltenham Festival
RaceiQ metrics – the revolutionary data which offers exciting new tools and insights into how we assess horse racing – are now available for free to view on www.racingtv.com and Racing TV Apps.
The metrics – available for all British and Irish races – will prove a valuable tool for all race-fans and punters, especially ahead of the sport’s biggest betting week, next week’s Cheltenham Festival.
Since its launch last year, RaceiQ has become integral to Racing TV and ITV Racing’s pre- and post-race analysis – and is now available for everyone to access (no login required) via Racing TV’s newly enhanced results pages.
Racing TV users can see how horses fared across the full suite of RaceiQ metrics only minutes after every race in Britain and Ireland. This underlying tracking data is provided by Coursetrack, the award-winning live, in-race timing information system, for RMG and Irish racecourses, and also from TPD in respect of other UK racecourses.
The metrics are available in the “expanded view” of the standard Result tab, and in a new RaceiQ Comparison tab, which enables a quick comparison of all the horses in a race.
Metrics include: Finishing speed percentage (FSP), Time Index, Par Time, Par Sectionals, Par FSP, 0-20mph, Lengths Gained Jumping (LGJ) and Jump Index. For more on these, please visit www.racingtv.com/raceiq.
The revamped results pages also feature a fully integrated Sectionals tab – the only place to view both British and Irish race sectionals. The tab shows the below data for every horse in every furlong:
- Sectional time
- Race position and cumulative time from leader
- A line graph visualisation
RaceiQ is the result of an innovative partnership between Ellipse, the leading sports data and analytics company, and Racecourse Media Group (RMG), which represents media interests of 37 racecourses.
Ed Gretton, Director of Racing at RMG, said: “We couldn’t be more pleased with the reaction to RaceiQ, which has really captured the imagination and quickly gained the trust and full confidence of industry professionals. Racing TV’s website and mobile and tablet Apps are the only place to see all British and Irish sectionals, as well as the full suite of RaceiQ metrics. It’s all free to access and will revolutionise how we approach the sport.”
Roderick Grafton, MD – Horse Racing at Ellipse, added: “We have been delighted with the way in which both pundits and punters have adopted RaceiQ. The Ellipse Data Scientists and Engineers have used their expertise and learnings from other sports to generate compelling cutting-edge metrics, providing new angles and narratives in every race. We are very excited that, via RacingTV.com and its Apps, all horse racing fans will now have access to the full suite of RaceiQ metrics.”
Data is available for all British races back to March 2023, and for all Irish races back to January 1, 2024. Historic sectionals are still accessible via links to PDFs.
RaceiQ specialises in using complex modelled metrics to turn detailed GPS tracking data, provided by Coursetrack, into easily digestible content for broadcasters, participants and racing fans alike. The suite of metrics has been developed by Ellipse’s data science and engineering specialists, combined with AI and machine learning.
For businesses looking to learn more about RaceiQ, a B2B website has also been launched – www.raceiq.com. The site houses in-depth detail about RaceiQ metrics, insights, testimonials and the list of products and services on offer.
The post RaceiQ metrics now available for free on Racing TV platforms – in time for Cheltenham Festival appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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