Can Open-World Games Help Reduce Loneliness? New Study Explores the Mental Benefits of Gaming

Open-world games are no longer associated only with exploration, side quests, and massive worlds that make players forget why they entered the game in the first place. A recent study suggests that some of these experiences may also be linked to positive psychological effects, particularly in relation to loneliness and the ability to cope with daily stress.

The study, published in JMIR Serious Games, examined the relationship between open-world games and simple, relaxing games on one side, and loneliness and psychological resilience among adults on the other.

The study included more than 2,200 participants aged 21 and over. Researchers compared people who played open-world games such as The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild and The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom with people who did not play those games, while also analyzing the experiences of players of lighter and simpler games such as Yoshi titles.

The findings showed that participants who played open-world Zelda games reported lower levels of loneliness compared with nonplayers. Players of Yoshi games also reported lower levels of loneliness, suggesting that different types of games may offer different forms of psychological support or emotional comfort.

Researchers believe that the potential value of open-world games is not limited to simply escaping reality. These games give players the freedom to explore, make decisions, solve problems, overcome obstacles, and achieve progress within a wide world. Such elements may help strengthen a sense of autonomy, achievement, and confidence when dealing with challenges.

The study also discussed a concept referred to as “Stoicism” as a possible psychological pathway. Here, it does not mean ignoring emotions, but rather focusing on what a person can control, dealing with difficulties more calmly, and viewing stressful situations in a more balanced way.

According to the study’s findings, playing open-world games was associated with higher levels of this flexible way of thinking among participants, while that resilience was in turn associated with lower feelings of loneliness.

Lighter and simpler games, on the other hand, may play a different role. While open-world games offer challenge, discovery, and a sense of progress, calmer games may provide a lower-pressure space that helps with relaxation, restoring balance, and enjoying a more comfortable experience.

For this reason, the researchers proposed the idea of a “Digital Diet.” The concept suggests that combining games that require challenge and exploration with calmer, more accessible games may offer better psychological support than relying on only one type of game.

For many players, this may explain why games such as Grand Theft Auto V, Red Dead Redemption 2, The Legend of Zelda, and Skyrim become more than just entertainment. A virtual world may offer players clear goals, room for discovery, a sense of progress, and temporary calm when the pressures of daily life become more exhausting than necessary.

However, it is important to interpret the study’s findings carefully. The study was cross-sectional, meaning it observed a relationship between game types and loneliness at a specific point in time, but it does not prove that playing games is the direct cause of reduced loneliness.

Other factors may also influence the results, including lifestyle, social relationships, work, income, living conditions, and the level of interaction with others outside of games.

The study also focused on specific examples of open-world and simple games, so it cannot be assumed that every open-world game will affect every player in the same way.

In the end, gaming can be a positive part of a balanced routine, especially when it provides enjoyment, a sense of achievement, and an opportunity to step away from daily pressure for a while. However, it is not a substitute for real relationships or professional mental health support when needed.

The takeaway is that video games may be more than just entertainment. For some players, the right experience may offer a degree of challenge, comfort, confidence, and a small space to catch their breath amid the rush of life.