Are you depressed? Play games in Open World

A refuge in digital worlds

Researchers surveyed more than 600 graduate students about their experience with open-world games. Result ? These games allow players to temporarily escape from everyday concerns. This phenomenon, called cognitive escapismacts as a means of disconnection which promotes relaxation and eases tension. Some participants described these gaming sessions as a “form of meditation”, allowing them to “clear their minds” and “find some inner peace”.

Why does it work?

These games, often characterized by their absence of strict constraints, offer players great freedom of exploration. Unlike more competitive or timed games, open-world titles encourage progression at the player’s pace, which reduces pressure. The researchers explain that this autonomy, combined with the richness of virtual landscapes, helps reinforce the feeling of control and mastery.. This contributes to an improvement in well-being, helping players to detach themselves from daily stresses and refocus.

Open world games available on macOS

For Mac users, several open world games are available. Among them, the very popular Minecraft allows you to create and explore infinite worlds. Terraria offers a 2D adventure where exploration and construction take place. Fans of immersive games will appreciate The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt, known for its rich and complex universe, even if I’m not sure it’s that relaxing. No Man’s Sky offers space exploration in a procedurally generated universe. We can also cite Subnautica, which invites players to dive into an alien ocean world.

And if you have a Switch, in addition to Zelda mentioned above, we can recommend Animal Crossing. So certainly the Open World here is not gigantic, but, believe me, this game can cure any depression.

Towards therapeutic use?

The results of this study add to several studies on the benefits of video games. Researchers even envisage that these games could one day be integrated into therapeutic programs. According to them, the immersion and autonomy they offer make them potential tools for reducing stress and improving mental health.particularly in contexts of high pressure, such as studies or work. It remains to be seen whether, in the near future, exploring digital worlds could become an official recommendation to combat anxiety.