In the study the casual game alternative (Sims) didn't provide the same effects. I play team games often because it as easily accessible way for me to have fun

In the study the casual game alternative (Sims) didn't provide the same effects. I play team games often because it as easily accessible way for me to have fun competing, just like any other sport in fact. It's a flow experience and has the nice side benefit of completely putting my mind off of other things. I can't get these things from other fun but casual games, that provide very few benefits (not even taking into account the possible boost in cognitive fitness). I think playing starcraft as part of an active, diverse mental life enriches is particularly complimentary as it a sport-like game that is challenging in many aspects (you need to multitask, think strategically, react quickly and control with great dexterity) and team games also open the social aspects. If it is not done in moderation then yes, you have to wonder if your best mental efforts during the day would better be directed at something more productive. Not for the sake of productivity, or for some moral reasons. Only because it might start to hurt financially/socially/healthwise etc. In the end, there are no skills particularly relevant in the grand scheme of things, we live, we have experiences, we die, universe goes on.