Study Design and Findings
Researchers at the University of Electronic Science and Technology of China conducted a comparative study examining cognitive changes from playing League of Legends versus Sanguosha. The study involved 68 university students who played one game for 1 hour daily, 5 days per week, over 5 months. Cognitive tasks and electroencephalogram measurements were taken before play, during play, at the endpoint, and up to 10 weeks after play ended. Both game groups showed improvements in cognitive ability, confirming that sustained high cognitive-load activity strengthens brain function regardless of game type.
LoL's Cognitive Advantages
The real-time competitive nature of League of Legends produced measurable advantages over the turn-based card game. The LoL group performed significantly better on tasks requiring rapid situation assessment and tracking multiple goals. These performance differences persisted 10 weeks after participants stopped playing, with some cognitive indicators widening further, suggesting stronger and longer-lasting effects than those from turn-based games.
Brain Activity Changes
EEG analysis revealed notable neurological differences between the two game types. In both groups, power increased in slow-frequency delta-theta bands while connectivity between brain regions decreased in the alpha band. The magnitude of these changes was greater in the real-time game group. Researchers interpreted delta-theta increases as signs of strengthened learning and adaptation, and alpha connectivity reductions as an efficient brain state with less unnecessary information exchange and lower energy use.
Long-Term Effects and Brain Reorganization
A key finding was the persistence of cognitive and neurological effects. Even 10 weeks after participants stopped playing League of Legends, cognitive performance and EEG changes were maintained or became stronger. Researchers suggested this indicates brain reorganization may have continued after play ended, demonstrating lasting impacts beyond the gaming period itself.
Game Genre Differences
The study distinguished how cognitive improvements differ based on game structure. Real-time competitive games like League of Legends center on rapid decision-making and multitasking, while turn-based games like Sanguosha emphasize logical reasoning and long-term strategy. Both produced positive cognitive effects, but real-time competitive games showed greater magnitude and persistence in some cognitive indicators. 
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