Another Volley in the War On Games

Shoot'em up vide games may be good for eyesight, shouts the provocative headline:

Tests before and after showed that the contrast perception of both groups improved. But the action-game group showed 43 per cent improvement on average, compared with just 11 per cent in the other group. The effect persisted for months, even when people didn't play games at all.

I think that's cool, but I have a few questions /comments about the study:

• The study group numbered a robust ... thirteen participants. Lucky thirteen.


• Participants either played "some type of action video game" like Unreal Tournament, or played "a more sedate game" like the Sims. What did they actually play?


• And speaking of good protocol, did they cross-test with, say, an action movie?


• Any monitor variations? Resolution variations? Just sayin'.


• Any unintended consequences?


• The study focused on amblyopia sufferers, or "lazy eye", which affects 3% of the population.

I'm all for an open dialogue on video games, but shoddy-ass research like this should be treated with a high dose of skepticism. Or maybe it's just shoddy reporting, it's hard to tell. New Scientist, I'm watching you...