Time well wasted

A 2024 report from the Entertainment Software Association reveals that 63% of Gen Z prefers playing video games over watching movies, compared to just 14% of Baby Boomers. Gen Z values gaming's interactivity and social aspects, using it as a tool for connection and community. The gaming industry has surpassed the movie industry in revenue, and video games are seen as key drivers of technological innovation. This trend reflects broader shifts in entertainment consumption and technology engagement among younger generations.

But is that just a shift in preferences? Or are there deeper truths beneath it? In August, the Association for Computing Machinery published a paper, Affective Uplift During Video Game Play: A Naturalistic Case Study, that examines how playing the game PowerWash Simulator affects players' moods.

Analyzing data from over 67,000 gaming sessions, researchers found that 72% of players experienced a slight but significant mood improvement during gameplay. Most of this mood uplift occurred within the first 15 minutes of play. The study highlights the potential of video games as mood-enhancing tools, though it also notes that the effects may vary across different games and player populations.

Now, imagine the possibilities of incorporating artificial intelligence (AI) into this space. First, on mood detection: smartwatches can detect stress or mood changes by monitoring physiological markers like heart rate, heart rate variability (HRV), skin temperature, and sleep patterns. When someone is stressed, their heart rate and skin temperature may rise, while HRV typically decreases. Smartwatches use sensors to track these metrics continuously and can alert the wearer to potential mood shifts or elevated stress levels.

If AI can detect stress, frustration, or emotional dips, it could recommend or even prescribe specific games designed to uplift or calm the player. AI-driven gaming therapy could become part of mainstream mental health care, offering an engaging and interactive way for anyone to manage their emotional health.

Instead of traditional therapies that require appointments and clinical environments, AI-powered gaming could offer on-demand emotional support, making mental health care more accessible and appealing to younger generations. We can imagine a world where unique games are created in real-time to combat or de-escalate acute emotional events specifically.

A 2020 American Psychological Association (APA) report indicated that Gen Z experiences more stress than previous generations, with concerns about climate change, financial stability, and social issues. Additionally, excessive digital engagement, especially through social media and gaming, has been linked to anxiety, depression, and body image issues in this age group. But gaming certainly does not only benefit Gen Z.

When I was growing up in the 90s, video games were often seen as a "waste of time." As someone who struggled with ADHD in childhood, video games provided immediate feedback, clear goals, and a sense of reward, which helped improve my focus and sense of task completion. Anecdotally, I believe games can promote positive behavioral changes, such as self-regulation, and resilience. Years later, my experience with video games has not only become the catalyst to invest in a tech career but also a scope into my mental health.

I would never suggest that games can replace therapy. However, in a world where mental health concerns are rising, AI-powered gaming therapy could be the next frontier, blending technology, entertainment, and emotional care in ways we've only begun to imagine.