Concern over soldiers "lost" in online games

PLA Daily has published an article pointing out that some soldiers have been losing themselves in a popular mobile game called King's Glory. In some cases, nearly an entire class of soldiers will get together on a weekend to play the popular game. Concerns have been expressed in some quarters that this gaming behavior may have an adverse effect on the health and training of the soldiers, reported People's Daily.

Solders are playing online games together. [Photo: People's Daily]

It has been revealed that the army has been devoting steadily more attention to the influence of online games on its soldiers since 2015, when restrictions on the use of smartphones at military camps were relaxed. The PLA has paid particular attention to how gaming has affected the daily lives of the soldiers, as well as their training combat effectiveness.

Research by a military recruiting company has found that 93% of all new recruits have played online games prior to joining the army, with the majority of them being familiar with mobile games. Research by PLA Daily has found that this gaming behavior has been gradually replacing traditional activities like basketball and chess, and has emerged as the dominant social activity at camp.

However, it's to be noted that online gaming is not without benefit. Shi Haiming, as associate professor at the National University of Defense Technology, said competitive games can improve players' thinking ability, reaction time, coordination, and willpower. Research has also found that nearly 70% of soldiers think competitive gaming helps to build team spirit.

On the other hand, many have pointed out the harm of online games. The PLA Daily article said that spending too much time sitting while playing video games can have a negative impact on a person's immune system, and can also lead to serious issues related to endocrine disorders, emotional instability, fatigue, etc. Many mobile games prompt users to play continually, while soldiers generally have to carry out multiple, separate and temporary tasks. There is concern over how games affect thought processes and potentially dangerous consequences for soldiers who do not carry the proper mindset through their mission, from beginning to end.

"Nowadays online games have wide varieties, with quite a few reflecting extreme individualism, heroism, and violent and pornographic information. This content may have negative influences on young soldiers whose values have not yet been formed completely, so I want to give them a warning," said Wang Shuai, a political instructor at Beijing garrison command.