Game on or gone too far? Executive functioning and implicit sequence learning in problematic vs. recreational gamers

Berta, Krisztina and Pesthy, Zsuzsanna Viktória and Vékony, Teodóra and Farkas, Bence Csaba and Király, Orsolya and Demetrovics, Zsolt and Németh, Dezső and Kun, Bernadette (2026) Game on or gone too far? Executive functioning and implicit sequence learning in problematic vs. recreational gamers. COMPUTERS IN HUMAN BEHAVIOR, 177. No. 108878. ISSN 0747-5632 (print); 1873-7692 (online)

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Abstract

Video gaming often sparks controversy, though negative effects are mainly linked to gaming disorder, not gaming itself. Research shows that gaming disorder correlates with reduced executive functioning and greater reliance on habitual processes, while recreational gaming may relate to enhanced cognitive functions. However, comprehensive comparisons of cognitive profiles across gaming behaviors remain scarce. We aimed to compare the cognitive functioning of non-gamers (NG), recreational gamers (RG), and gaming disorder risk individuals (GDR). Based on the Ten-Item Internet Gaming Disorder Test scores, 114 participants were classified into these three groups. Executive functions were assessed with the Go/No-Go, Counting Span, Digit Span, Card Sorting, 1- back, and 2-back tasks; implicit sequence learning with the Alternating Serial Reaction Time task. Group effects were adjusted for weekly gaming time. The GDR group showed reduced working memory, performing worse on the Digit Span task than the NG group, and worse on the Counting Span task than both NG and RG groups. Conversely, the RG group displayed enhanced attention-related performance compared to the NG group. No group differences emerged in implicit sequence learning. Interaction analyses revealed a negative relationship between implicit sequence learning and inhibitory control/updating across groups, while a positive link between working memory and implicit sequence learning in NG and GDR groups suggests possible compensatory mechanisms. This study underscores that cognitive impairments are linked to gaming disorder rather than gaming time itself, while recreational gaming may offer cognitive benefits. These findings provide insights into the distinct cognitive profiles of recreational gaming and gaming disorder.

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