Mobile gaming sharpens mental agility too

These games involve speed, memory, decision-making and such skills. They develop such faculties in gamers as it takes a combination of intelligent strategy and acumen to win. Who hasn’t said or heard the phrase ‘all work and no play makes jack a dull boy’? In most cases, it’s said or heard as an excuse to play some more instead of ‘the more important’ and preferable activity commonly termed ‘studying’. There can be no two ways about the fact that academics is the bedrock of personal development and growth. The question is, are the insights gained in classrooms and tuition centres enough? In today’s global context, how relevant are life-skills? How important are agility, lateral thinking, adaptability, cognitive strength, decision-making and such skills, apart from being in sync with global norms?

Tech creating new experiences

There is more to success and life today than documented concepts and formulae. Changing technology and an increasing interaction with a global environment necessitates adapting to emerging trends and dimensions. The way people work, live and interact are changing. Technology is making it possible to do much more in a shorter timespan, and do things differently. Technology has changed the concept of interpersonal interaction, shrunk the world and made communication instant with 24/7 connectivity. Most significantly, technology has brought about a whole new living experience. It has made life different, comfortable and enhanced convenience, especially in terms of accessibility to leisure, comfort and rejuvenation.
A package deal that technology always is, there are views that aren’t flattering to inventions and innovations too. Many new frontiers have been termed forbidden ground. A good example would be stem cell research which has two views. While its applications will alleviate the pain of millions it is also believed to be unethical by some. The answer, however, is in ensuring we don’t compromise on the immense possibilities, harness the good uses of technology and make life better for all.

Connectivity, penetration of smartphones and cheap telephony have changed the very definition of content and communication. In this age of the ‘world in your pocket’, read smartphone, content is an experience. Communication and interaction are on social platforms – not just in social or business dimensions, but also in leisure and recreation.

Online gaming gaining in popularity

While social platforms have been linking people for long now, a relatively new entrant is online gaming. A step ahead of the ubiquitous and standard games that come loaded on desktop computers, many engaging games opened up new avenues in leisure, made possible with the easy Internet connectivity available to all now. Both computer and mobile versions have been gaining in popularity and drawing more to the instant relief they offer.

Sport, in India, has never really received its due like it gets in the West. Even in this day and age, hardly do parents nurture talent in sports and work towards giving it all possible opportunity. While the summer camp and weekend cricket coaching are acceptable, investment in a possible career in sports is never the primary option.

Mobile gaming and e-sports are opening up a new dimension to a career in sports. Easy access and hardly any infrastructure needed, along with a wide range of games available, makes this format of sports accessible to all.

Time to harness potential of mobile gaming

All physical sports are encouraged and it is now an accepted fact that sports is as important as academics in the learning process. There is significant thrust on development and learning on the playground and sports is a part of the curriculum. Given the fact that mobile gaming and e-sports are becoming increasingly popular, it’s time to harness the potential they offer. It would be prudent to choose ‘this and that’ rather than ‘only this’ as mobile gaming too holds its fair share of opportunity.

Mobile games hone skills too

Just as physical sports develop attributes such as strength, team spirit and endurance among the youngsters, mobile gaming too hones skills. These games involve agility and application of thought. The games are designed to test different faculties and they reward acumen and speed. In some games, memory is a crucial to win. These require strong retention of information and quick recall. These games are said to enhance the memory power of gamers that will be useful in the academic space. Some games involve agility and help in the development of the decision-making ability. There are others that involve computing and deep concentration. They help the gamers develop these qualities. Concentration makes a lot of difference in many industries that deal in precision products. Gamers honing this skill early on in life will find it an advantage always.

These skills that mobile gaming hone last a lifetime. It is therefore imperative to use this form of sports intelligently along with conventional sports. If regulated and encouraged while maintaining a balance between sports and academics, they have similar advantages as conventional sports. Talent in mobile gaming, encouraged and trained, has the potential to create a champion in e-sports. The e-sports field is opening up with many global tournaments. As these e-sports fixtures get more recognition and structure, they will turn into another parallel format, equally rewarding. Misconceptions towards mobile gaming and e-sports could, over time, lead to many a career snipped in the bud.

A policy that recognises the value this format holds and regulates the gaming industry will serve as a guideline to all stakeholders.