Recommended Video Games That Can Improve Concentration

While modern digital games are gaining popularity as a primary tool for cognitive training, traditional games that have long stimulated human thinking and concentration skills also contribute significantly to improving concentration. Strategy-based board games like chess, go, and shogi, which require complex calculations, situational predictions, and long-term planning, are particularly effective in improving overall cognitive abilities and concentration. These games have evolved into digital forms and remain popular across generations, helping to improve the ability to recognize recurring patterns and predict opponent moves, which in turn helps stimulate the brain in a real-world way.

Among these games, mahjong is considered a high-level traditional game that requires memory, attention, and strategic thinking simultaneously. In the process of examining dozens of tiles and determining possible combinations, comparing tiles discarded by other players with one's own, and selecting the best option, short-term memory and sustained concentration play a significant role. Research, particularly targeting the elderly population, has shown that mahjong is effective in preventing dementia and slowing cognitive decline. Furthermore, social interaction among participants also has a positive impact on emotional health. In this regard, mahjong is now being reclaimed as a traditional game that serves not only entertainment but also cognitive stimulation and concentration enhancement.

Action Games and Concentration Improvement

Action games that require quick and repetitive decisions are beneficial for improving hand-eye coordination and visual concentration. High-intensity games like Call of Duty, Fortnite, and Doom, in particular, which require strategic decisions and instant concentration, also contribute to improved cognitive function. Researchers have found that people who regularly play action games have better visual detail attention and multitasking abilities, and can respond quickly in complex and challenging environments. Reports also suggest that just one hour of gaming can improve selective visual attention and induce changes in brain activity. In a study conducted by Dr. Daphne Bavelier's team from the University of Rochester, USA, students' visual information detection ability increased by an average of 43-58% after playing visually demanding video games for 50 hours.

Strategy Puzzle Games and Spatial Reasoning Games

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Puzzle-based games that require spatial awareness and logical thinking simultaneously encourage goal-oriented concentration. For example, Portal 2 promotes step-by-step thinking and focused problem-solving through puzzles that utilize the laws of physics to design paths, while Monument Valley can develop visual concentration and spatial reasoning skills through optical illusions and geometric environments. These games are effective for training concentration because they require a combination of strategic thinking and focused concentration, not just instantaneous decisions. Particularly in experiments on improving concentration through functional play, games appropriate for children have been shown to have a positive impact on their learning and concentration abilities .

Research investigating the effects of long-term gaming experience on brain structure suggests that playing Tetris for several months can enhance neuroplasticity, including increased gray matter thickness in the prefrontal cortex. Furthermore, research suggests that action games can increase activation of the prefrontal cortex and alter the function of visual areas to make them more efficient, thereby improving overall brain efficiency.

In a large cohort study of children, it was found that children who played video games for more than three hours a day demonstrated faster and more accurate responses on working memory and impulse control tasks. However, there were no statistically significant differences in ADHD symptoms or attention problems, and it was emphasized that results may vary depending on the type of game and playing time. These studies convey the message that gaming can have certain positive effects on children's cognitive development, but excessive use should be avoided.

Game Selection and Things to Look Out for

When choosing games to improve concentration, it's best to choose games that prioritize not only fun but also incorporate elements such as spatial awareness, pattern recognition, strategic decision-making, and social interaction. Action games improve reaction time and visual concentration, puzzle games train logical thinking and sustained concentration, educational brain training games strengthen working memory and concentration tasks, while traditional mahjong games provide repetitive cognitive stimulation and social engagement simultaneously.

Furthermore, to maximize gaming engagement and cognitive stimulation, technical aspects should not be overlooked. For example, a stable network environment and low latency play a significant role in reducing interruptions during gameplay and maintaining concentration. According to a report analyzing factors for optimal game server selection , server location, bandwidth, and hardware performance are key factors in determining a smooth gaming experience, especially in multiplayer games or role-playing environments, which are directly linked to the effects of concentration training.

However, excessive gaming time can lead to negative impacts such as sleep deprivation, lack of exercise, and social isolation. Therefore, it's important to set a proper time each day and use it in a balanced way. Modern neuroscience research shows that video games aren't just for entertainment; they can also change the structure and function of the brain and stimulate cognitive function. Choosing effective games to improve concentration and enjoying them at the right time can be a useful way to train your brain in everyday life.