Comments by Reviewers

Abstract

Videogames are often reported in the popular press as having supposed negative consequences, such as those associated with addiction, violence, and isolation (Ferguson, 2007). However, several studies (dating back to the 1980s) have also shown that there are many positive benefits to be gained from playing videogames, such as improving the hand-to-eye coordination, self-esteem, and even the social interactions of the players (see e.g. Griffiths, 2002, Granic et al., 2014, Wang et al., 2018). The educational benefits of playing videogames has also been well studied and documented (Squire, 2002, Gee, 2003, Squire, 2003, Mayer, 2019), and the potential for videogames to contribute towards scientific education is highlighted in the following quote from Gee (2003, p. 20), who states that: