Gaming is the activity of playing electronic video games, whether on a dedicated gaming console or computer, or on a smartphone or tablet. It is an immensely popular pastime, with a market value estimated to be over 3 billion dollars in 2022. Gaming can be a social and fun activity for friends, but it can also lead to harmful or even dangerous behavior in some individuals, especially when used to escape from reality.

Many gamers enjoy the competitive nature of some games, which can help them feel like they are contributing to a larger community and working toward a common goal. While this can provide a sense of accomplishment and even a feeling of teamwork, it can also lead to high levels of stress, depression, anxiety and an intense focus on winning, leading to addiction and other psychological problems. Byron ‘Reckful’ Bernstein, a young and well-known professional gamer, died of suicide in 2019, bringing this issue into the spotlight.

Despite this, most gamers say they get positive psychological benefits from their gaming. A 2019 survey indicated that nearly 80% of gamers feel that video games stimulate their brains, relax them and relieve stress. They also report that they learn skills such as pattern recognition, strategic thinking, risk-taking and hand-eye coordination. The more time gamers spend on games, the better they are at them.

Some games are designed to be played in multiplayer mode with other players over the internet. This type of gaming is often referred to as online gaming, and has become increasingly popular as it allows people to interact with others around the world. Online gaming can be a great way to meet new people and build friendships.

In addition to online gaming, some gamers enjoy playing in-person with their friends. This can be a good way to socialize, and may even help with learning and motor skills development in younger children. Gamers can even compete in online tournaments with the potential for substantial prizes.

It is also common for gaming media and analysts to divide gamers into broad behavioral categories. These categories are sometimes based on level of dedication to gaming, other times by the primary type of game played, and sometimes a combination of these and other factors. Achievers, for example, are those who work hard to gain points and achieve success within the game parameters, while explorers are those who explore all areas of the game and look for hidden areas or glitches.

Other games are designed to be physically active, requiring participants to move or at least stand up while they play. These types of games are often referred to as active games, and have been shown to improve physical health in some participants. This is particularly true when the games encourage players to use the physical controllers, which can be a more effective and efficient approach than simply sitting down to play. In fact, some active games have been shown to be as effective for promoting physical fitness as traditional exercise programs.