A new study into the effects of computer games has revealed that
fast-paced action games turn us into faster and better decision-
makers. Scientists at the University of Rochester in New York
conducted a series of tests to gauge whether regular bouts of
high-speed gaming could help to improve our cognitive abilities.
The researchers tested 18 to 25-year-olds who weren’t usually
gamers, and split them into two groups. The first group were
told to play adrenalin-packed action games such as Call of Duty
2 and Unreal Tournament, in which participants dash around
online arenas shooting each other. The second group were given
The Sims 2, a more sedate, strategy-based game that mimics the
pace of everyday life. After 50 hours of playing, both groups
were given a series of tests. Those who had trained on the
action games made decisions 25% faster and answered correctly as
their strategy game peers.