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As smartphones are creeping into every aspect of our lives, you will rarely see a person without one.
According to pewinternet.org, 96% of Americans now own a cellphone of some kind.
So it’s not surprising that people are increasingly connected to the digital world.
Everyone wants to do everything while on the go.
And more than ever, the need to fill up ‘free time’ with gaming has steadily become a favorable option.
The effects of gaming have been in the news for quite some time. More interestingly, it’s becoming a popular topic of research.
Market results about gaming
The online gaming market is expected to witness substantial growth. That may well be due to the fact that online gaming has transformed into an entertainment tool.
And because 92% of games available on Google Play are free for downloads, there’s an exponential growth in the gaming industry.
Lifehack.org claims that for every 10 gaming apps created, 6 of them are usually targeted at boosting the gamer’s creative mind.
But awareness about the benefits of sophisticated online gaming has made them more attractive, while increased consumer disposable income has boosted the demand for a variety of games.
Consider, for example, the German games market in the first half of 2019.
It remains a success story with its robust and continuous growth, demonstrating how economically important online games still are.
Players admire most of all the high creativity of these games.
The effects of online gaming
It’s obvious that children nowadays do not play outdoors as much as we used to in our youth.
On the contrary, video gaming has substantially increased in recent decades.
The effects of such activities have been well-documented by psycologytoday.com.
“Video gaming may, in fact, be an ameliorating factor, helping to counteract the harmful effects of the loss of other forms of play.”
Video gaming has proven to improve cognition, creativity, sociability, and much more. Some games have even helped children get smarter.
In this blog post, we will focus primarily on the creativity benefits of online gaming.
Research on how online gaming enhances creativity
Linda Jackson and her colleagues in Michigan carried out tests using the well-validated Torrance Tests of Creative Thinking.
Their study found that there is a significant positive correlation between the amount of time spent on playing video games and creativity, regardless of gender or race.
Moreover, the individuals expressed an openness to new experiences, which is also an aspect of creativity.
They concluded that either highly creative people are drawn to video gaming or that gaming increases creativity (or both).
David Moffat and his colleagues later assessed the immediate effect of video gameplay on creativity in 2017.
Their research showed that there was a considerable gain in creative thinking, especially in flexibility, another facet of the innovative thought process.
More importantly, they were able to portray that even small periods of gaming put an individual in a higher creative frame of mind.
Over the years, more studies have been pointing in favor of online gaming. But enough of the research related stuff.
Let’s get down to actual business.
What games can help boost your creativity?
Now you’re talking! So without any more delays, here are some online games that you’ve been itching to learn about.
You should definitely give some of them a try.
Portal
According to Google users, 98% like this video game.
Pretty impressive, huh? Initially designed for Microsoft Windows, Xbox 360, and PlayStation, Portal has since transitioned to other systems, including OS X, Linux, and Android.
This game takes creativity to a whole new ‘dimension’ – pun intended. Well, that’s because, in this game, players need to create portals to teleport characters and objects from one area to another.
Experience the excitement of the chain reaction your next move will have on the gameplay.
Portal is a puzzle-platform video game that will have you hooked from the get-go.
You won’t want to put it down until you’ve figured out the best solution!
Minecraft
This sandbox game involves building- or destroying- whatever you wish.
It demands a great deal of creativity as the gameplay also includes exploration, resource gathering, crafting, and combat.
It’s been acclaimed as one of the best-selling video games of all time, selling over 176 million copies across all platforms by late 2019.
One of the reasons is that players have a great deal of freedom in playing the game.
The game world is finite, and players can choose to explore as they deem fit.
Tetris
Who hasn’t played this game yet? Tetris has undoubtedly made the rounds since its inception back in the ’80s.
But even today, it still ranks as 7th on the list of “100 Greatest Video Games of All Time”.
Does this game really need a description?
Just for the sake of formality, here is a synopsis. Players must make quick decisions to rearrange blocks so that they fit perfectly in a row. Enough said.
On the flip side, the original game has been subject to numerous changes over the years. I guess it enhances creativity on more than one level.
Matchsticks
Ready to have fun with matches?
There are several puzzles that players must solve by repositioning matchsticks with a certain number of moves.
Though some are quite tricky, they all have a solution. This game requires a bit of lateral thinking.
So it’s a good way of exercising different parts of your brain.
The good news is that Unlimited Gamez Mo has several other creativity linked games available for a nominal monthly package. Ready to give them a go?
Flow Free
Create a path of matching pipes. Free Flow ranges from a relaxed mode to a frantic frenzy as you race against the clock.
Its addictive gameplay is suitable for players of all ages.
As the levels become progressively harder, you’ll need to find creative methods to finish the level.
Ready to accept the next challenge?
SimCity
Electronic Arts has done it more times than you know.
EA has developed a game where you can be the hero of your very own city.
Studies indicate that interpersonal games like this one have exhibited the strongest positive effect on creative skills.
Design and build a bustling metropolis from the ground up.
So it’s time to put your imagination into overdrive and expand your horizons. This is a game where literally the sky’s the limit.
This popular gameplay has been around for quite some time now.
Rarely does it seem to pass off as old and boring.
There is more than just building anything wherever you want to.
Strategically develop sites to keep your city growing. Moreover, there are hidden challenges to keep the excitement flowing.
Alchemy
This is your chance to create new objects! Start off with the four basic natural elements: fire, water, earth, and air.
From bacteria to skyscrapers, see how many objects you can think of.
Get fascinated by the numerous combinations that magically appear.
This game puts anyone’s mind into creative mode. You may begin to look at ordinary objects surrounding you in a new light.
Discover how they can be more useful than you initially thought.
Roller Coaster Tycoon
You thought riding roller coasters was fun? Think again.
This is your chance to create, customize, and share your theme park. Choose from an array of 3D, animated rides.
There are over 250 different options available for how you wish to design the park, the decorations, rides, shops, etc.
Let’s see who has the coolest park creation around.
Limbo
As the player, your job is to control an unnamed boy through dangerous environments and traps.
The player is on a quest to search for his sister.
Like other puzzle-platform video games, it features an assortment of circumstances where the player must find a plausible solution to resolve the situation.
The game requires a great deal of trial and error to complete, so be prepared to encounter a number of deaths.
Now’s your chance to find creative methods to pass various stages of the game.
Myst
This first-person gameplay takes you on an adventure through an interactive world.
Begin by exploring your surroundings on an island called Myst. You’ll notice that the game unfolds at its own pace.
There is no time limit, hidden dangers, or eminent enemies.
With a combination of patience, observation, and logical thinking, you must find hidden pages of different books.
Wrapping up
No matter what game you decide to play at the end of the day, there are multiple benefits to playing online games.
As you progress through various levels of the game, your mind has the opportunity to develop in diverse ways.
Alternative tasks promote flexibility, originality, engagement, fluency, and much more.
But the overall desired effect revolves around a player’s level of creativity.
Since creativity is a broad term and all games are not created as equals, you should ideally consider playing a vast selection.
So are you ready to play some games now?
Author Bio:
About Ashley Rosa: Ashley Rosa is a freelance writer and blogger.
As writing is her passion that why she loves to write articles related to the latest trends in technology and sometimes on health-tech as well.
She is crazy about chocolates. You can find her at twitter: @ashrosa2.
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