Healthcare (Commonwealth Union) – Since its inception in 1999, Counter-Strike has become a household name in the world of first-person shooters. Developed by Valve Corporation, this iconic game has not only captivated millions of players worldwide but also played a pivotal role in shaping the landscape of competitive esports.
One of the key factors contributing to Counter-Strike’s longevity is its constant evolution. Over the years, Valve has released multiple iterations of the game, each introducing new features, improved graphics, and refined gameplay.
A study by the University of Sheffield suggests that playing Counter-Strike—one of the most popular first-person shooter games in the world—may enhance cognitive abilities.
Researchers from the university’s School of Psychology found that experienced, highly skilled players of the game, which debuted 25 years ago, are quicker at making decisions and responding to stimuli. These seasoned gamers also demonstrate greater speed in selecting the correct course of action.
This is the first study to explore how video games influence cognitive skills across a spectrum of players, from complete beginners to professional esports competitors. To examine the effects on top-tier players, the researchers collaborated with professional esports organization Endpoint.
Findings revealed that semi-professional and professional players outperformed novices by an average of 88.94 milliseconds in a basic two-choice decision-making task. Computational modeling indicated that this advantage stemmed primarily from faster processing of stimuli and quicker response execution. In a more complex decision-making scenario, expert players also showed a higher rate of evidence accumulation, suggesting they excel in high-speed situations where rapid decisions are essential.
The researchers believe these insights could extend beyond gaming. The findings might help develop training programs for professionals working in high-pressure environments—such as doctors, nurses, air traffic controllers, and financial traders—where swift, accurate decision-making is critical.
Professor Claudia von Bastian, a Cognitive Psychology expert at the University of Sheffield, indicated that Counter-Strike is a perfect game for examining how gaming affects cognitive abilities. The fast-paced nature of the game, where two teams compete, navigate a map, and coordinate with teammates, demands significant mental processing. Players must swiftly assess their surroundings, manage multiple tasks simultaneously, and decide where to direct their attention to maximize their chances of success.
“Video games can give us a safe arena in which to examine and learn more about how our cognitive abilities respond to high pressure situations. By studying cognitive processing in this way, we could start to develop new ways to nurture and support the cognitive abilities of people who work in environments where they need to make rapid, accurate decisions under intense pressure.”
Researchers at the University of Sheffield are expanding their Counter-Strike study by partnering with academics from the University of Geneva to investigate how League of Legends influences players’ psychology. This game, part of the battle arena genre, has over 150 million players worldwide, yet little research has been conducted on its psychological effects—something the Sheffield and Geneva teams aim to change.
The Geneva research group includes Dr. Benoit Bediou and PhD student Naïma Gradi, a former League of Legends world champion.
Eleanor Hyde, a PhD student at Sheffield’s School of Psychology, pointed out that she has been gaming for most of her life, and she often hears of people who dismiss video games as a waste of time. But as a cognitive psychologist, she has always questioned whether there’s more to them than people assume. Games like Counter-Strike push players to use multiple cognitive skills simultaneously and make split-second decisions under extreme time constraints.
“Our research explores how these experiences may influence skills such as decision-making, attention and learning. By examining how gaming relates to thinking and learning, this research not only challenges outdated misconceptions, but also reveals the fascinating ways in which this widely popular activity may relate to cognitive performance.
