Every time a new form of entertainment enters popular culture, it receives criticism from people who believe consuming it wastes your time and offers no real value. This was true for television in the 20th century and became the case for video games in the 21st century.
This is despite the fact that games, in the more general sense, have been part of life for almost as long as humans have been around. Not only that, but we see evidence of almost every other animal on earth “playing”, either alone or with others as a way to have fun and to bond, proving it’s clearly a very natural activity.
But if that’s not enough for you, there is a growing body of evidence that playing games is actually beneficial in several ways.
Gamers who spend countless hours playing their favourite titles develop a wide range of skills that can be applied to other areas of life. While these skills may seem unrelated to real life, they can be incredibly valuable in real-world situations.
Mental Arithmetic
Many games require players to perform quick calculations in their heads. This can be anything from counting enemies in a shooter to calculating the cost of a purchase in a simulation game like RollerCoaster Tycoon.
Even Scrabble, which is a game famous for being based on making words, requires players to perform quick mental maths to add up their points and multiply the various bonus and word bonuses.
These mental math skills can be incredibly useful in everyday life, from filling out a tax return to figuring out tips. Even things you enjoy require maths skills, such as planning a holiday, since this requires you to set and manage a budget.
Understanding Probability
Many games involve understanding probability. Players must weigh the odds of different outcomes and make decisions based on the likelihood of success.
Card games like blackjack are a prime example of this as they test your ability to predict which cards will be dealt next. This is why many seasoned players like to use basic or perfect blackjack strategy, which have been developed by statisticians to create a menu of the most optimal decisions for every possible card combination.
A strong understanding of probability and how to respond to it is important in blackjack, regardless of where you play or which variant you prefer. Online casinos like PokerStars Casino offer a variety of playing options, including classic, premium, and high roller blackjack. But while each one has minor alterations to the rules, they all require the same basic understanding of the probabilities.
Understanding probabilities can be applied to many real-world situations, such as investing, coding, and even decision-making in general.
Hand-Eye Coordination
Also known as visuomotor control, hand-eye coordination is one of the key skills you develop when playing video games like first person shooters and sports simulators. Whilst, to some degree, you do need to use them for any computer-based activity, visuomotor control is most important when having to react quickly as there’s no time to make minor corrections.
Developing your hand-eye coordination and adapting it to suit the specifics of that particular game is why you quickly improve after starting out with a new title.
But this skill is essential for many other activities too, from sports to playing musical instruments. Other hobbies, like crocheting, cooking, and DIY also require good visuomotor control, so playing games may even improve your skills in the kitchen.
Critical Thinking
Games that require players to solve puzzles and make strategic decisions can improve critical thinking skills. This is particularly key in chess, where you need to think both about your own possible moves but also how your opponent could counter your choices.
Critical thinking is a vital skill for life. Being able to think critically can go a long way in avoiding scams and frauds, as well as identifying what news sources are trustworthy. It’s a skill that’s also necessary when negotiating, making business decisions, investing, and even navigating personal relationships. It is, therefore, an important ability to hone.
