7 Science & Gaming Facts: Strategy Games Can Make Your Brain 4-7 Years Younger

Jakarta, Pintu News – A 2025 study published in the journal Nature Communications shows that cognitively demanding activities, including playing complex strategy video games, are associated with brains that appear biologically “younger” than participants’ chronological age.

These results come from scientific analysis of brain electrical activity from EEG and MEG scanners, and controlled experiments showing that playing real-time strategy games like StarCraft II can slow down brain aging in non-gamers after about 30 hours of training. These findings were analyzed in a brain health report summarized by Decrypt.

1. Younger Brain Age among Gamers and Artists

The study found that individuals who intensely engage in creative activities such as complex video games, music, dance and visual arts have brain activity patterns that appear 4-7 years younger than non-experts. The researchers utilized machine learning on EEG and MEG data to estimate the “brain age” of each participant.

This pattern is not only associated with long experience but is apparent in biological measurements, providing evidence that cognitive challenges in creative activities may be associated with higher brain efficiency and plasticity.

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2. Controlled Experiment with StarCraft II

To test whether gaming actually affects brain age, non-gamers were trained to play StarCraft II, a real-time strategy game that requires intense multitasking, planning and quick responses. After about 30 hours of training, participants showed increased brain efficiency and lower brain age measurements.

These results suggest that the complex and cognitively demanding aspects of real-time games may be instrumental in activating brain networks that typically decline with aging.

3. Not All Games Provide the Same Benefits

The control group that playedturn-based games such as Hearthstone did not show any significant improvement in brain function or brain age after the same period. This suggests that real-time pacing and level of complexity appear to be the key factors in the effect, rather than game play in general.

This research differentiates between types of games and their impact on cognitive function, focusing on games that demand quick decisions and constant adaptation.

4. Skills Involved: Multitasking & Attention

Real-time strategy games like StarCraft II require players to manage multiple tasks at once, prioritize resources and maintain attention in a dynamic environment. The researchers compared these demands to learning a new language or playing a musical instrument, activities that are also known to stimulate brain plasticity.

The abilities involved include attentional control, planning, and switching between tasks quickly-factors that often decline with chronological age.

5. Large Study Shows Similar Effects

Another study at Western University found that intensive video game players showed cognitive performance equivalent to people 13.7 years younger than non-gamers, supporting the idea that intense cognitive activity may be associated with higher brain efficiency.

These findings are consistent with previous studies showing that complex mental exercises can improve certain aspects of brain function.

6. Research Limitations & Mental Health

Experiments also warn that while the cognitive effects look promising, gaming alone is not a comprehensive solution for mental health. Studies show gaming does not replace the psychological benefits of exercise or other physical activities in reducing symptoms of depression or anxiety.

Therefore, a more holistic approach to brain health remains important, incorporating physical, social and cognitive activities.

7. Potential Applications & Implications

The findings open up a discussion on the use of real-time strategy games as a cognitive exercise tool for populations prone to age-related decline in brain function. Such activities could be considered as part of a mental exercise regimen alongside other brain-stimulating activities.

Thus, strategy video games are not just entertainment; their cognitive challenges can have a meaningful effect on brain efficiency in the long run.

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FAQ

What does brain age mean in this study?

Brain age is a biological estimation measured from brain activity patterns via EEG and MEG, compared to the participant’s chronological age.

What kind of games show brain benefits?

Real-time strategy games like StarCraft II that demand multitasking and quick responses show positive effects on brain age.

Do all video games provide the same benefits?

No; slower-paced games like Hearthstone did not show any significant improvement in cognitive testing.

How long do non-gamers need to play to see effects in studies?

In the study, non-gamers were trained to play around 30 hours for a few weeks before changes were measured.

Does playing strategy games replace sports?

No; despite providing cognitive stimulation, gaming does not replace the mental and physical health benefits gained from exercise.

Reference:
Josh Quittner/Decrypt. The Fountain of Youth for Your Brain Might Be a Strategy Video Game. Accessed December 25, 2025.