Memory abilities in action video game players

• Differences between AVGPs and NVGPs in various aspects of memory are evaluated.
• Consistent with previous work, enhancements are noted in visual short-term memory.
• Differences are observed in the strategies utilized during task performance.
• True memory processing does not appear to be substantially modified in AVGPs.

Action video game players (AVGPs) have been shown to outperform non-action video game players (NVGPs) on tasks of perception and attention. Here we set out to investigate if these benefits also extended to another cognitive domain, memory. In particular, while there is some previous evidence suggesting AVGPs demonstrate better visual short-term memory, it is unclear whether this extends to long-term memory processes or indeed, whether these enhancements are due to memory per se or are instead reflective of changes in speed of processing or strategy. Using four tasks that tap distinct areas of memory processing we found evidence for greater speed of processing and enhanced visual short-term memory in AVGPs and compared to NVGPs. However, we found either equivalent or possibly decreased performance in AVGPs in tasks related to long-term memory access. Furthermore, differences in strategy were noted across tasks, in particular differences in the tradeoff between speed and accuracy, which calls for a closer investigation of how task instructions bias performance in future studies.