Gaming is a popular form of entertainment that can transport players to other worlds, challenge their skills or simply be a great way to spend time with friends. With different gaming platforms, genres, game styles and costs to consider, it can be overwhelming for new gamers to get started. In addition, there are many different opinions and theories on how games affect real-life behavior.

Gamers are often stereotyped as shy people who escape into their video games to avoid social interaction in the real world. However, this is not always the case, and studies have shown that certain types of games actually improve social skills, performance in school and even self-regulation. There is also a growing trend of collectors who maintain collections of older video games, some of which have become rare and valuable.

One of the most important things to understand about gaming is that it’s not just a form of entertainment; it can be a way to meet new people, learn about other cultures and even turn a hobby into a career. With so many different game types, genres and options available, there is a game for everyone. However, getting started can be daunting with a huge choice of consoles and mobile devices, all with different capabilities.

To start gaming, you need a device that can run the games you want to play. For PCs, this means a desktop computer with the latest operating system and a good graphics card. A laptop or tablet can also be used for gaming, but they’re less portable and may have limited software selection. If you want to take your gaming to the next level, try a VR headset.

Another consideration is whether you want to play online or offline. Most modern consoles are designed for online play, as are some PC games. This allows you to compete against other players around the world or team up with them. Some games have a specific grouping system that matches you with other players based on their skill levels and preferences.

Aside from multiplayer games, there are also single-player or narrative-driven titles. These typically have a set goal that the player must achieve, with some type of reward for completing it. Role-playing games (RPGs), such as Baldur’s Gate 3 and Mass Effect, are examples of these.

Action-oriented games have been found to improve attention allocation, which is the ability to focus on a target while ignoring distracting or irrelevant information. This can help with search tasks, driving and other activities that require attention shifting.

In addition, cooperative gaming has been shown to lead to immediate and long-term improvements in prosocial behaviors. This is because it reduces aggression and decreases access to aggressive cognition (the planning and execution of violent behaviors) compared to competitive or solo gaming. It has also been found to promote emotional regulation. This is because it encourages a gamer to find ways to achieve their goals in a non-violent way, and it increases the likelihood of a gamer to act with compassion towards others (Gentile, 2009). All of these benefits can have positive impacts on the real world.