# Is there a link between gaming and intelligence?

> There's a small positive link: some studies find gamers do slightly better on certain cognitive tests, but gaming doesn't make you a genius.

There is a small positive correlation, but it's weaker and more specific than headlines suggest. Studies find that people who play action and strategy games often do somewhat better on tests of attention, visual processing and working memory, and a large 2022 study of US children found that those who gamed more gained slightly more on intelligence tests over two years — on the order of 2.5 IQ points. That's a modest effect, and it doesn't prove that gaming makes people smarter.

## What research tends to show

- **Visual attention and processing speed:** action games are linked to better tracking of multiple objects and faster visual decisions.
- **Working memory and problem solving:** puzzle and strategy games may give small benefits.
- **Narrow transfer:** skills improve most in tasks similar to the game; "brain training" games have repeatedly failed to raise general intelligence.
- **Reverse causation:** people who are already good at certain mental tasks may simply enjoy, and stick with, demanding games.

## What gaming doesn't do

- It doesn't replace sleep, exercise, reading and social contact, all of which affect cognition.
- Heavy gaming that cuts into sleep or schoolwork is linked to worse outcomes.
- Being good at games isn't the same as having a high IQ: game skill depends heavily on practice and reaction time.

## FAQ

**Do gamers have higher IQs?**
On average there's at most a small difference, and it varies by game type. Practice explains far more of a player's skill than IQ does.

**Do gamers have faster reflexes?**
Action-game players tend to have faster reaction times in studies, partly from practice and partly because faster people are drawn to these games.

**Which games are best for your brain?**
Strategy, puzzle and action games that make you plan, adapt and pay attention, such as chess, StarCraft or Portal, are the ones most often studied.

**Does being good at video games mean you're smart?**
Not necessarily. It shows skill and practice in that game; it says little about overall intelligence.

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https://gamevoyages.com/is-there-a-correlation-between-gaming-and-intelligence/ · Game Voyage · Checked 2026-10-30