Gamers transferring some virtual scenarios to real life, study claims

VIDEO game players can get so immersed in their virtual environment that they transfer their experiences into the real world, according to research.

The study found evidence of game transfer phenomena, which results in gamers doing things in the real world as if they were still playing. Extreme examples included reaching for a search button when looking for someone in a crowd and seeing energy boxes above people’s heads.

Half of the gamers questioned said they often look to use something from a game to resolve a real-life issue. In some cases these thoughts were accompanied by reflexes such as reaching to click a button on the controller even when it is not in their hands.