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| Gameplay footage from From Software's Dark Souls III (Image Source: ONE eSports) |
The threat of the COVID-19 pandemic, which has affected millions around the world and thousands in the Philippines, has indefinitely pushed people to stay inside the comforts of their own homes and keep their distance from one another when going outside for work and essential stuff for their safety and well-being. Throughout the course of their stay inside their homes, people are sporting their own ways to keep themselves active and entertained while playing safe with their loved ones. Playing video games happens to be one of them. However, doing so a bit too much may possibly cause one to have stress.
In fact, during the course of the pandemic, a US-based gambling website BonusFinder conducted a study and found the most stressful video games for self-isolated people to play whether during their free time or at their own pace. And at the top of the list, based on the respondents' heart rate measured during the study which covers 16 of the most popular and challenging PC, console and mobile games on the market, is Nintendo's bright and colorful Mario Kart with 32.87% of respondents showing an increase in heart rate in a span of 30 minutes, the highest overall. And it is scientifically and statistically obvious considering that those who are playing Mario Kart experience being excited when they are about to win the race upon entering the final lap and eventually feeling frustrated when they are hit by powerups, more particularly the dredded Blue Shell. In any case, here is the complete list of BonusFinder's top ten most stressful video games based on average heart rate.
* Mario Kart (32.87%)
* FIFA 20 (31.25%)
* Call Of Duty Modern Warfare (29.69%)
* Dark Souls III (28.13%)
* Fortnite (26.56%)
* DOOM Eternal
* Fall Guys
* Battlefield V
* Street Fighter
* Among Us
I understand if you find any of these most stressful games not as stressfully frustrating as you think, but you may consider the possibilities and consequences of playing these games especially when it comes to competing against your loved ones at home and others online. Anyway, aside from the average heart rate (BPM) increase, BonusFinder has also found the most stressful games based on peak BPM increase. Fortunately, unlike the previous list, it was From Software's Dark Souls III taking the top spot at 98.44% peak BPM increase over a 30-minute period followed by the battle royale game Fall Guys with a 95.11% BPM increase.
According to BonusFinder managing director Fintan Costello, the players' heart rates soared by as much as 63 BPM, which is double the flatline rate, when they reached the finals of a certain Fall Guys episode. With this interesting data, what can you expect from fourteen gamers who have played for fifteen hours a week with heart rate monitors on? Otherwise, if you want more convincing analysis, check out BonusFinder's blog post on the most stressful video games here.
