The Logic of Gaming

Video games, like most other forms of entertainment, are designed to trigger our emotions, to give us a sense of fun and excitement. The amygdala is the part of the brain that processes raw emotions like this. But to develop maturity and logic, the Prefrontal cortex of the brain must be developed. It develops more slowly than the amygdala. The thrill of a game comes from the amygdala, but what does it take to win a game?

Games of all kinds, from Chess to Mortal Kombat, are defined by a set of logical rules, and sometimes a chance factor; Part of the chance factor may come from the though patterns of your opponent. When it comes to winning, the prefrontal cortex matters more than the amygdala. The adrenaline rush of sport might give you strength to win a test of strength (if panic doesn't sap your skill too badly), but it will do you no good whatsoever at a non-athletic game. The only time emotion does you any good for winning, is when you can use it against your opponent; making your poker opponent to afraid to risk another raise, for example. To win, use your logic, and let your opponent's emotions work in your favor.

In a one-player game or a puzzle, an opponent's emotion is no longer a factor. It's now just a matter of chance, logic, and your ability to let your prefrontal cortex dominate your amygdala. A horror game like Eternal Darkness, or Resident Evil is perfect for training level-headedness. These games try as hard as they can to trigger your emotions and make you afraid like in a horror movie. But you can just sit back and enjoy having survived the thrills and chills of the latest horror flick. In the games, you have to rise above this simulated fear and use your logic. The fear can be very real, although it has more to do with a fear of losing rather than a fear of dying.

Though video-games tend to dwell more on cinematic emotion-tweaking than sports, puzzles, or other types of games, games and sports in general force you to use logic and rise above crude emotions to be a winner. But you can't just watch other people play, you have to play to get the benefits.

The bottom line is that games can help you act more mature; maturity is often defined by being rational rather than reacting to primitive emotions. Even the most passionate lovers must use reason and logic to learn how to get along with each other. An investor must overcome greed and panic over falling stock prices to use enough strategy to gratify the greed and elude the feared losses. Emotions motivate, but logic finishes the job.

Games are often considered kid's stuff, but even the most childish of games can help us become adults.

Game on!