Recent research highlights the mental health benefits of open-world video games, emphasizing their potential as therapeutic tools to reduce stress and improve well-being. This study is conducted by researchers from Imperial College London and the University of Graz.
Unlike competitive games like Fortnite, which focuses on objectives and urgency, open-world games such as Minecraft, Skyrim, Red Dead Redemption 2, and Ghost of Tsushima encourage players to explore vast environments at their own pace. This freedom fosters a sense of autonomy and competence, core components of psychological well-being as described by self-determination theory.
The study adopted a mixed-methods approach, using both quantitative data and in-depth interviews with postgraduate student gamers. Players reported that the immersive and self-directed nature of open-world games provided significant emotional relief. The freedom to engage in activities like building settlements, mapping new territories, or interacting with dynamic game worlds allowed them to temporarily disengage from life’s stressors.
Quantitative findings confirmed a link between cognitive escapism and increased relaxation, which in turn positively impacted overall well-being. As the researchers noted, “The immersive experiences in open-world games can contribute to psychological well-being by fulfilling basic psychological needs, such as autonomy, competence, and relatedness.”
While the study relied on self-reported data—a limitation the researchers acknowledged—it opens avenues for future research using physiological measures to better understand gaming’s effects on mental health. The findings align with growing concerns about the adverse impact of social media on adolescent anxiety and depression, highlighting open-world gaming as a healthier alternative for relaxation and mental health management.
The study’s authors suggest that developers integrate features promoting relaxation and cognitive escapism, paving the way for games to be used therapeutically. As they concluded, “Open-world games could offer a cost-effective and accessible method to improve mental health, providing a meaningful, immersive escape that enhances players’ emotional and psychological well-being.”
The study is published in the Journal of Medical Internet Research.
