Video games are immersive, gratifying experiences that can be played by one person or with multiple players. They can be accessed on video game consoles, computers and mobile devices. Many people play video games for hours a day. They might be able to identify with different gaming personas, but the stereotype of a gamer is still largely male and young. Gamers have been shown to have positive effects on their health, including better problem-solving skills and heightened cognitive functioning.

A study of 27 professional gamers using fMRI scans found that their brains show greater connectivity between subregions of the insular cortex, which is associated with higher reasoning and problem-solving abilities. This is likely because of the intense practice of tackling challenges over time and the rewarding experience of leveling up in a game.

Gaming can also help improve a player’s reaction times and their ability to make sound decisions under pressure. This is because players must quickly analyze the current situation and decide on the best course of action in a split second. This can be useful in business, where fast decision-making is often critical to success.

It’s important to understand what drives a person to engage in gaming, particularly for those who might be concerned about an addiction. This can help family members and friends offer support and guidance for the person in question, rather than pass judgement. The Ultimate Gamer, Enthusiast, Achievers and Casual gamers all cite the same things as their top reasons for playing games: overcoming challenges with tactics and strategy, exploring detailed game worlds, experiencing a deep storyline and completing all of a game’s tasks.

The Achievers are the most competitive gamers, who prioritize mastering the latest games and improving their gaming skills. They have high self-esteem and are largely motivated by achievement. Escapers are highly impulsive and play games to distract themselves from real-life problems. Role-playing is also a large part of their gameplay.

Casual gamers are a small segment of the gaming population, who primarily play quickie games such as Candy Crush on their mobile devices. They play when they have a short period of time to kill, such as during a commute or while waiting for an appointment. They’re less interested in hardware and are more focused on consuming content. Interestingly, they are also the least passionate gamers in terms of their favorite game genres. They tend to lean toward multiplayer games and MMORPGs that allow them to interact with other gamers.