How do computer games relieve stress?

[MichelleHW101]

I’ve played a few ‘full-length games’ such as Dragon Age, Drakensang etc. and I find them to be more stressful than my actual job.  The only real relief I get is when I play little arcade games like the classic pac-man or space invaders.  Even the Hoyle stuff is more relaxing then stuff like Warcraft.  At least with games like Dungeons & Dragons DaggerDale or Keepsake they tell you were to go, what to do next and even with the later solve the puzzles for you if you can’t figure them out.  I guess that’s why Sims is so popular.  It’s a stress free game where all your doing is walking around an environment you created and if you don’t want to do a quest/job you don’t do it. 

[Valerie1979]

do people still really play computer games?  I thought that was a thing of the past

[ktheodos]

Ha...interesting...sometimes when I play video games, my competitive nature returns and I end up getting more stressed out...i've learn to just enjoy and relax when playing!

[cheez01]

You have to chose your poison in video games for me I find that RPG's are more stressful to me, where as arcade style games relieve my stress, but for I enjoy myself either way.

[jzmom]

Playing computer games relax me, if they are simple non stimulating games like Solitaire, Mahjong, Scrabble or some of the games on Facebook.           If I have to kill a dragon, hurry against a timer or race a car, then it is not relaxing at all.  

[articx]

Probably because there is a lot of stuff to do (depending on the game) that it takes your attention away from what stressed you out. If I was playing a game and had to rescue someone or take out villains, if I do not concentrate on it, I cannot complete the mission.

[sammywantsya]

in my experience yes for me... the most relaxing game i played was COD series.... pretty fun ^^

[elysee24]

Not sure how it works, but playing games does make me feel more relaxed!!