According to science, playing Zelda is good for your morale

© AdmiralFelchington/Reddit

A growing body of research is looking at the effects of video games on mental health, and points to the idea that they can be great allies. Last year, we told you about this Japanese study and this one, which was more mixed on 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 journal Journal of Medical Internet Research, which focused on a more specific aspect of video games: open worlds. At the heart of this research: the fantastic The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, a true video game masterpiece that would actually have solid therapeutic potential.

Subscribe to Presse-citron

Hyrule: a digital refuge

The enchanting universe of Zelda would therefore no longer be just an immense virtual playground, almost bordering on perfection, but also a real space for psychological renewal. The study, conducted among 609 graduate students and supported by 32 in-depth interviews, demonstrates how exploring the vast plains of Hyrule contributes to improved mental well-being.

For the researchers, the environments of open-world games like that of Zelda: BOTW have their own specificities: ” These games offer a large, freely explorable environment, where players can move around and interact with the game world with restrictions minimum “.

Aside from the fact that the team is only defining what an open-world video game is (and even then, 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 that poses a fundamental break with traditional patterns of digital consumption.

The researchers make the connection with social networks, which impose a constant flow of fragmented information and passive interaction. On the other hand, a successful open world like that of Zelda: BOTW establishes a radically different relationship to virtual space.

In the game, this freedom is manifested 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, glide with his sail or simply admire a magnificent sunrise over the ocean. A total freedom rarely achieved in a video game.

200% Deposit Bonus up to €3,000 180% First Deposit Bonus up to $20,000

Of course, not all open world games are perfect, far from it, and many of them suffer from annoying flaws, a subject discussed in an excellent Joueur du Grenier video a few months ago (see below).

The Healing 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, exploring an open world 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 the compulsive search for external validation.

As the researchers point out: ” Specifically, these games can present an expansive world filled with diverse landscapes, cities, and hidden secrets “. A description that fits very well to Zelda: BOTW, but much less to other games, also in open world like the saga of Far Cry or Assassin’s Creed, for example. Series that have gradually become entangled in atrociously standardized and repetitive game mechanics, a topic we covered a few months ago in this article on AAA.

Some participants in the study testified to their experience regarding the effects of open-world games on their mind. One of them described these gaming sessions as “his form of meditation “, while others spoke of their ability to “ forget their daily worries ” and to truly ” disconnect “. If you're a fan of the series, you now have a great excuse to start playing again Zelda: BOTW or its equally excellent sequel, Zelda: Tears of The Kingdom.

• A recent study has shown that open-world games like Zelda: BOTWcan have positive effects on mental health.
• These games offer a freedom of exploration and interaction that promotes relaxation and disconnection from digital constraints.
• Study participants describe these gaming sessions as a form of meditation, helping to reduce stress and refocus.

📍 To never miss any Presse-citron news, follow us on Google News and WhatsApp.

[ ]