How does gaming affect romantic relationships? Could your passion for gaming actually be a love language? Internet service provider Centurylink conducted a study to see just how much gaming affects relationships in today’s society. Based off their findings, gaming franchises such as Mario Kart and Call of Duty are actually great relationship builders. Who would’ve ever thought? You had me at that first blue turtle shell.
They surveyed more than 1000 people and asked tough gaming and relationship questions to see if PC and console gaming has had a positive or negative influence on romantic relationships. Nearly 1 in 3 18-24 year old respondents reported gaming having a positive impact on their romantic relationships.
Based on the survey, Mario Kart has most positively affected relationships. I can almost testify to this because it’s definitely my “Go-to” game of choice when dating or gaming with the opposite sex in general. It’s just an all around fun game to play and the more the merrier. It’s one of those games that appeals to both the hardcore gamer and the casual gamer.
The guy that made a Mario Kart love song over a decade ago was on to something.
“Romantic partners from the millennial generation grew up with video games as a large part of their lives. Therefore, gaming is simply more natural and accepted. Whereas with older generations, a partner who played video games was perceived as juvenile and irresponsible.” – Dr. James Gaskin, video game developer and professor at Brigham Young University
Nearly 52% of 18-24-year old gamers say video games have had a positive influence on their relationships. This favorable view trends downward as respondents get older; not even 10% of the 55+ had the same positive view. Of the 1000 respondents, only 42 said gaming led to a breakup.
Video games can help people work together for a common goal, share challenges, compete, joint problem-solve, and more. Video games, like anything else, can be a shared activity, and shared activities can foster intimacy between people.” – Ryan M. Earl, senior associate therapist at the Chicago Center for Relationship Counseling
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