Empirical research on the effects of computer games and simulations, and their value in attaining instructional objectives, are reviewed, as are studies concerning the transfer of capabilities acquired from games and simulations to ‘real world’ tasks. Results suggest that games and simulations improve a variety of cognitive capabilities. Furthermore, there is evidence for positive transfer from activities required by games and simulations to real world task performance. This transfer appears to depend much more on similarities between cognitive and attention processes than on physical similarities. Attitudes to games were found to be positive. However, the findings suggest that hostility and aggression tend to increase as a result of exposure to games, and school grades may suffer as a result of excessive game playing. Recommendations for the development of games, limits to the generality of findings, concerns about research on games, and recommendations for further research are discussed. Read more...