Frustrated From The Likes Of Elden Ring? Oxford’s Latest Studies Suggest You Try Out This Game Instead to Cool Down

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If you’ve ever found yourself rage-quitting a particularly challenging game like Elden Ring or maybe even the recent hit-on-release Black Myth: Wukong, you’re not alone. The sense of frustration and defeat that comes with repeatedly failing at a difficult task can be overwhelming, leaving you feeling stressed and anxious.

Elden Ring players are advised to launch this game every few “You Died” screens. | Image Credit: FromSoftware

But what if there was a way to combat those negative feelings and boost your mood, all while still enjoying the world of gaming? According to a new international study from researchers at the Oxford Internet Institute, part of the University of Oxford, the answer might just lie in a surprising place: PowerWash Simulator.

The now-official method for stress relief. | Image Credit: FuturLab

The study, published open access in the Games: Research and Practice Journal, analyzed data from nearly 9,000 PowerWash Simulator players across 39 countries. Participants reported their well-being to researchers during over 67,000 gaming sessions, providing a wealth of data on the short-term effects of gaming on mood.

The results were striking: on average, 72% of players experienced a more positive mood during play than at the start of each session. As lead author Matti Vuorre explains:

At present, short-term changes in video game players’ moods are poorly understood. Gameplay research frequently relies on artificial stimuli, with games created or modified by academic researchers, typically played in a lab environment rather than a natural context.

Instead, we wanted to know how real play in natural contexts might predict player mood on short timescales.

In other words, the study suggests that the simple act of power-washing virtual environments can have a measurable impact on a player’s mood, providing a much-needed respite from the stresses and frustrations of more challenging games.

A screenshot from the upcoming Shrek Special Pack DLC. | Image Credit: FuturLab

But the good news doesn’t stop there. PowerWash Simulator fans have even more to look forward to in the coming weeks, with the highly anticipated Shrek DLC set to release on October 10th.

Players will be tasked with bringing the world of Shrek back to its former glory, scrubbing away the glittery goop that has coated key locations from the films. From Shrek’s Swamp to the city of Duloc, the Fairy Godmother’s Potion Factory to the Dragon’s Lair, there’s no shortage of iconic environments to clean up.

And with the ability to play with a friend in co-op or up to six players in free play, the Shrek Special Pack promises to be a fun and relaxing way to unwind after a long day of battling bosses and exploring dungeons.

Of course, as senior author and professor Andrew Przybylski notes, the study’s findings should be taken with a grain of salt:

The fact that we studied only one game—and one that is not likely representative of today’s most commonly played games—suggests caution in generalizing from our findings to other games.

Future work should consider the use of randomised controlled trials to evaluate the effect of playing PowerWash Simulator or other games compared to other leisure activities or therapeutic interventions.

Still, for those looking for a way to de-stress and unwind after a particularly grueling gaming session, this Square Enix-published game might just be the perfect tonic. So the next time you find yourself ready to throw your controller at the screen, consider putting down the sword and picking up the pressure washer instead. Your mood (and mental health) will thank you.

Have you tried PowerWash Simulator as a way to relax and unwind? What other games do you turn to when you need a break from more challenging fare? Let us know in the comments below!

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