When most people think of video games, entertainment is one of the first things that come to mind. After all, video games have surpassed music and movies as the most popular form of entertainment, raking in revenues greater than the two combined. This trend shows no signs of slowing as people from all walks of life use devices like smartphones, tablets, gaming PCs, and consoles to enjoy a wide range of gaming genres. What many don’t know as they strategically plan their next move in a card game or grind in an RPG is that there’s a good chance they’re learning valuable lessons that can be applied in real-life scenarios.
While we may think the titles we’re playing are all fun and games, the reality is that research has shown that some games can help us improve our strategic thinking, problem-solving, collaboration, hand-eye coordination, time management, emotional resilience, and creativity. This article looks at how gaming can help us develop skills that we can apply in our day-to-day lives.
Strategic Thinking and Problem Solving
From strategy and puzzle-based video games to card games like poker, many games challenge us to think critically and come up with solutions quickly if we want to be successful. If you’ve ever played a game where you were faced with a complex scenario, you may not have realized it, but that title was helping you learn to adapt to changing situations while teaching you to plan strategically. A game like Portal 2, where gamers must solve detailed puzzles, puts players’ problem-solving skills to the test, often helping them improve them, something that can be valuable in real-life situations.
In a game like poker, players must analyze incomplete information, anticipate what their opponents’ next moves will be, and make adjustments to their strategies in real time. The internet has made poker more accessible in recent years, with many playing the famous card game online. Some virtual platforms add an interesting element to the online experience with promotions like the PokerStars Power Path, where participants have an opportunity to progress through a series of poker games. Depending on how they do, they can qualify for entry into top online tournaments and the European Poker Tour. Every time a player participates in a poker competition, they improve the skills required to be successful at the game, including critical thinking, decision-making under pressure, risk assessment, emotional control, and adaptability. These are some of the same skills in business and negotiations. In a similar way, role-playing games help players develop these skills by presenting them with multifaceted problems that require them to develop effective strategies. All of these gaming genres are applicable in the real world.
Collaboration and Teamwork
Few professions allow workers to be completely independent. While there may be room for some degree of autonomy, for the most part, we all have to work with others. The same is true of multiplayer games, where players have to work together to achieve common objectives. Some of the most popular games require coordinated team efforts, including esports titles and massively multiplayer online role-playing games. If you want to be successful, you’ll need to be able to communicate effectively and collaborate with others. This type of collaborative gameplay encourages players to use the same kind of skills that will serve them well in the workplace, where clear communication and teamwork are often required. These games can improve a player’s ability to work well in a team and come up with solutions together.
Hand-eye Coordination and Reaction Time
A lot has been written about how video games help players develop their hand-eye coordination and reaction times. If you play action and simulation games, you understand why. These games often require precise timing and quick reflexes, which improve players’ hand-eye coordination and reaction times. In a fast-paced game, you must respond quickly to what’s on the screen, something that can translate into better motor skills. The skills developed by playing these games have practical applications in jobs where fine motor skills and quick decision-making are necessary, such as in surgery, aviation, and sports.
