In a recent study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, Dr. Daphne Bavelier from the University of Rochester in New York and the University of Geneva in Switzerland reported that playing the action video game “Call of Duty” boosted mental skills such as multitasking and memory.

These kinds of fast-paced shooting games appear to enhance players’ ability to anticipate events rapidly.

The investigators found that volunteers who were new to the game could improve their cognitive skills after playing for two hours, five days per week for a two-month period.

With practice, players were better able to attend to relevant cues and ignore distractions.

By contrast, the volunteers who played the social game “The Sims 2” did not demonstrate cognitive benefits.

It’s important to keep in mind the potential negative mental effects of excessive video game play. Too much screen time has been linked to attention deficit symptoms and academic underachievement, and the violence of these games can be inappropriate for many players.

The next step for scientists is to determine what, specifically, in these games actually helps to enhance beneficial mental skills, and then hone those elements to devise new games that provide benefits without the potential negative effects.