Video games can impact brain development in both positive and negative ways. Regular gamers show increased grey matter in the entorhinal cortex, associated with memory formation. Puzzle and logic games in particular are linked to better memory, as this brain region works with the hippocampus. However, the long term effects are still unclear as studies show both benefits and risks. While more research is needed, video games appear to influence brain plasticity, which could be advantageous.

1. The Cognitive Aspects of
Video Games

2. Hello!
I am Pritha Sarkar
I am here because I love to
present advantages of
educational games.
You can find me at:
pritha@aklavya.org

3. Does our brain change after an intense video gaming
session?
▧Think about the time when you are
engrossed in GTA or Assassins Creed and
you are completely rapt in that virtual
gaming world.

4. Does our brain change after an intense video gaming
session?
▧Anybody coming in front of the screen
trying to obstruct your game is your arch
enemy at that time and your fingers
control your fate in the game world.
Image Source: Fox News

5. Our 3 billion hours of virtual placidity
Humans as per an
American survey
conducted by
academicians, play
at least 3 billion
hours playing
video games in a
week.
1.2 billion people
engage in video
game play every
week on a regular
basis. And the data
shows parity
amongst the two
genders as well.
Kids under 18 are
regular video
gamers and this
includes 99
percent of boys
and 94 percent of
girls.

6. Did you know how far video games go?
While you may
believe that the
video games were
first introduced in
the early 80s, but…

7. The first video
game was actually
launched in 1961!

8. That is even before the moon landing took
place!
It was developed
at MIT
It was
crowdsourced
It was a space
simulation game!
Diagram featured by http://slidemodel.com

9. Do games cause harm?
▧ A lot of studies conducted have shown that as opposed to
popular beliefs video game playing DOES NOT cause any
serious personality disorders like ADHD or Socially
inadequacy for children.
▧ In fact in many cases video games or other interactive
programs as used to promote social interaction in special
children like those with Autism.

10. How is gaming helping the brain?
▧ It has been found by putting avid video gamers into FMRI
scans that a part of their brain called the entorhinal cortex
which is associated to their joystick ears is actually more
developed, i.e. has larger grey matter.
▧ This is especially true for those who play puzzle, logic and
reasoning based games.

11. How is gaming helping the brain?
▧ The entorhinal cortex is the part which works with the
hippocampus to store memory and create maps of a
person’s life. Thus, people who engage in higher amount
of puzzle and logic games are better at memory.The
entorhinal cortex is the part which works with the
hippocampus to store memory and create maps of a
person’s life. Thus, people who engage in higher amount
of puzzle and logic games are better at memory.
▧ This means that playing such games can be great for your
brain.

12. The Bottom Line
▧ While the clouds of confusion are not yet clear about the
effects of action games. As there are several studies that
highlight both equally positive and negative arguments.
But overall the grey matter around the Hippocampus of
gamers and their brain plasticity has been noted to be
higher.
▧ Brain plasticity is the brain’s ability to change its neural
pathways and adapt.
▧ The more plastic the better. And video gamers have that
advantage.

13. “While it is still early to clearly state if the effects of
games on our brains are good or bad as the matter is
highly subjective,But it is clear that they are impacting
and shaping our brains and is thus a part of the human
gamut currently and will continue to be so.

14. Place your screenshot here
Desktop project
At the moment the Aklavya is still in its technology
demonstration mode and much works to be done and the
game is available as an online browser game.

15. Thanks!
Any questions?
You can find me at:
pritha@aklavya.org

16. Credits
Special thanks to all the people who made and
released these awesome resources for free:
▧ Presentation template by SlidesCarnival
▧ Photographs by Unsplash
▧ Backgrounds by Pixeden