Comparison of Brain Activation in Response to Two Dimensional and Three Dimensional On-Line Games.
- Author:
Woo Hyun SONG
1
;
Doug Hyun HAN
;
Hyung Jin SHIM
Author Information
1. Department of Psychiatry, Chung-Ang University Hospital, Seoul, Republic of Korea. hduk@yahoo.com
- Publication Type:Original Article
- Keywords:
StarCraft;
Three dimensional;
Two dimensional;
Pro-gamer;
Functional magnetic resonance imaging
- MeSH:
Academic Medical Centers;
Brain;
Cues;
Neuroimaging;
Occipital Lobe;
Video Games
- From:Psychiatry Investigation
2013;10(2):115-120
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
OBJECTIVE: The present study assessed the difference in the brain activity of professional gamers (excessive players, but not addicts) in response to playing a 3-dimensional online game with an improved interface. METHODS: Twenty-three StarCraft I pro gamers and 16 StarCraft II pro gamers were recruited at Chung Ang University Medical Center. Brain activity in response to StarCraft I or II cues was assessed with a 1.5 Tesla Espree MRI scanner. RESULTS: StarCraft I pro gamers showed significantly greater activity in 4 clusters in response to the video game cues compared to StarCraft II pro gamers: right superior frontal gyrus, right medial frontal gyrus, right occipital lobe, and left medial frontal gyrus. StarCraft II pro gamers showed significantly greater activity in 3 clusters in response to the video game cues compared to StarCraft I pro gamers: left middle frontal gyrus, left temporal fusiform gyrus and left cerebellum. DISCUSSION: This is the first study to show the difference in brain activity between gamers playing either a 2-dimensional or 3-dimensional online game. Current brain imaging studies may confirm the pro gamers' experience when playing StarCraft II, a 3-dimensional game with an improved interface, relative to playing StarCraft I.
