More and more research is looking into the effect of video games on mental health, and pointing to the idea that they can be excellent allies. Last year, we told you about this Japanese study and this one, which on the other hand remained more mixed in its conclusions.
This time, it is a joint study by Imperial College London and the University of Graz (Austria), published on December 17 in the magazine Journal of Medical Internet Researchwhich looked at a more specific aspect of video games: open worlds. At the heart of this research: the fantastic The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wilda true video game masterpiece which actually has solid therapeutic potential.
Hyrule: a digital refuge
The enchanting universe of Zelda would no longer only be an immense virtual playground, almost bordering on perfection, but also a real space of psychological renewal. The study, conducted among 609 graduate students and accompanied by 32 in-depth interviews, demonstrates how exploring the vast plains of Hyrule contributes to improved mental well-being.
For researchers, open world game environments like that of Zelda: BOTTW have their own specificities : “ These games feature a large, freely explorable environment where players can move around and interact with the game world with minimal restrictions. “.
Besides the fact that the team is only defining what a open world video game (and again, not all are equal and many suffer from redundant mechanics), let’s look further than that. The open world is a central element of the gameplay which poses a fundamental break with traditional digital consumption patterns.
The researchers link this to social media, which imposes a constant flow of fragmented information and passive interaction. Opposite, a successful open world like that of Zelda: BOTTW establishes a radically different relationship to virtual space.
In the game, this freedom manifests itself through a multitude of choices where the player is left alone, with himself and his choices, without being taken by the hand. Link, can climb every mountain visible on the horizon, explore every valley, stroll through picturesque (although too rare) villages, swim, soar with his sail or simply admire a magnificent sunrise over the ocean. A total freedom rarely achieved in a video game.
Of course, not all open world games are perfect, far from it, and many of them suffer from annoying flawsa subject covered in an excellent Joueur du Grenier video a few months ago (see below).
The therapeutic alchemy of the open world
The psychological impact of this difference is considerable. While social media activates short-term reward circuits, creating addiction based on instant social validation, open-world exploration engages deeper cognitive mechanisms.
The brain, freed from time constraints and incessant notifications, can activate its natural reward circuits linked to discovery, learning and personal accomplishment. This activation results in the release of endorphins and dopamine in a healthier context, associated with the achievement of self-imposed goals rather than compulsively seeking external validation.
As the researchers point out: “ Specifically, these games can feature an expansive world filled with diverse landscapes, cities, and hidden secrets “. A description that fits very well Zelda: BOTWbut much less in other games, also in open world like the saga of Far Cry Or Assassin’s CreedFor example. Series which gradually became entangled in excruciatingly standardized and repetitive game mechanicsa subject that we covered a few months ago in this article on AAA.
Some study participants testified about their experience about the effects of open world games on their minds. One of them describes these play sessions as “ his form of meditation “, while others speak of their ability to “ forget their daily worries » and to truly “ disconnect “. If you are a fan of the saga, you now have a great excuse to start a game again Zelda: BOTW or its equally excellent sequel, Zelda: Tears of The Kingdom.
- A recent study demonstrated that open world games like Zelda: BOTW can have positive effects on mental health.
- These games offer freedom of exploration and interaction which promotes relaxation and disconnection from digital constraints.
- Study participants describe these gaming sessions as a form of meditation, helping to reduce stress and refocus.
