As the most popular form of entertainment, most of us play video games every now and then. When you think of your favorite game, you probably don’t think of it in terms of what you can learn or the skills it might teach you that could come in handy in the real world. After all, gaming acts as an escape for many of us, giving us a chance to disconnect from our day-to-day routines. What you might not know is that behind the screen, tapping on your smartphone, and the perfectly timed triggers on a video controller are lessons that could help you out in real life. As you play video games, you develop certain skills such as strategic thinking, teamwork, and adaptability.
If you think about it, all of these skills are needed in both our personal and professional lives. Excel at them, and you have a good chance of winning life. That’s not just speculation; there are studies to back this up; gamers often perform as non-gamers in areas like problem-solving, leadership, and more. So, the next time you settle in to play a video game, remember you could be leveling up your skills; in this article, we look at how.
Strategic Thinking and Problem-Solving
If you think back to some of the games you played, you can probably remember times when you had to solve problems and think strategically to get ahead. Many titles require gamers to use their analytical skills to figure out what’s going on in complex situations and come up with strategies to get past challenges. One of the most famous gaming franchises that puts most of these skills to work is Civilization, where players must strategically employ long-term planning and resource management if they hope to succeed. At the same time, the decisions players make as they play the Witcher series can affect the outcome of the game.
If you’ve ever played casino games, you know that many of the most popular card and table games require players to put their problem-solving caps on while they think strategically. For example, in a game of blackjack, players must make calculated choices based on probabilities and opponent behavior, all while planning their next move. All of these games help players learn to assess changing situations, think about diverse outcomes, manage risk, and solve problems. In the workplace, these skills can be used in project planning, risk assessment, and problem-solving. If gamers approach their professional challenges the same way they do in video game scenarios, they’ll have the ability to handle complex tasks and meet their objectives efficiently.
Teamwork and Collaboration
Most jobs require employees to work with others to some degree. Most gamers step into these positions ready to collaborate based on their experiences working with others to achieve goals in video games. Multiplayer games are some of the most popular titles in the gaming role. Titles like Overwatch and Fortnite have attracted millions of players who’ve had to collaborate with other players from completely different backgrounds to achieve common goals.
Without good communication skills, one cannot succeed in these games. Many games thrust players into leadership positions, requiring them to coordinate and organize other players on their teams. When these players go out into the real world, they’re already equipped with strong communication skills and know how to work on team projects or even assume leadership roles. Gamers are used to working on virtual teams and are often able to transfer these collaborative skills to real-world environments.
Quick Thinking and Adaptability
When you’re playing a fast-paced game like Call of Duty, the ability to think on your feet is everything. To succeed at these games, players have to be able to adapt to rapidly changing scenarios and make quick decisions under pressure. All of this can help them improve their cognitive flexibility and reaction times. These skills can be especially useful in high-pressure situations like crisis management and emergency response because while playing these types of video games, players learn to remain calm and assess situations quickly, which can be helpful in many careers.
