Key recommendations
- PowerWash Simulator is a relaxing game and can actually help improve your mental health, a new study has found.
- According to a study commissioned by Oxford University and FuturLab, PowerWash Simulator players reported being in an elevated mood.
- The feelings were similar to those felt when reading a book or listening to music or other relaxing activities.
It's no secret that PowerWash Simulator is not only a fun little title with several unique collaborations, but it's also pretty relaxing. But did you know that playing PowerWash Simulator can directly affect your mental health in a positive way? This is exactly what a study led by Oxford University found after about two years of research.
As first reported by Eurogamer, the study, which was commissioned in 2022, analyzed data from more than 8,500 players in nearly 40 countries, including the United States and the United Kingdom, among others. The study was hosted on Steam through a “Research Edition” subscription.
At the time, FuturLab called it “a unique anonymous research study focused on the well-being of PowerWash Simulator players [that] it also aims to provide insights into the wider discourse of games and mental health.” Two types of data were collected, one based on player progression and the other based on player responses to questions provided by the researchers.
The end results are truly fascinating.
Take a break and PowerWash
According to the results of the study, 72 percent of players reported that they are “invigorated” when interacting with the PowerWash Simulator. Specifically, according to the University of Oxford and FuturLab, players “consistently reported a higher mood after the first fifteen minutes of the game session compared to the beginning of each session.”
Of the 162,325 “in-game mood reports” that were taken from players, the majority reported a more positive mood while playing PowerWash than when they first started the session. In other words, being fully involved in the game helped bring positive vibes. According to the results, positivity is “comparable to changes seen in other leisure activities such as reading, shopping or listening to music”.
Suffice to say, the data is really neat. In many ways, PowerWash Simulator is a pseudo-cathartic experience, allowing players to meticulously wash themselves bit by bit, without outside forces in the game like enemy AI. So it is no wonder that players feel happy playing it. It will be interesting to see if future studies are conducted, especially in heavy action games. Meanwhile, hooray for video games that double as a health benefit.
