Many of us have played a video game of some sort at least once in our lives (some of us considerably more). They are a fascinating escape from reality that pervades the modern world we live in. However, what we may not realize is that, whether they intended to or not, video games teach us a great deal every time we turn on the system. "Oh geez, another nerd singing the praises of video games. What else is new?" Precisely, and i'll tell you why: the things we learn in these games teach us not just about the world inside the game, but the world around us as well.
1. Teamwork
There are some tasks that are too difficult to do alone, require more than one set of skills or are just easier with someone working with you every step of the way.
2. The Truth is Not Always Obvious
What is told to you at face value is not always entirely true. Sometimes you need to do your own digging if you want the whole truth. Be wary, however, there are those who may want that truth to stay buried.
3. History & Geography
I am not just referring to the infinite number of WWII shooters, although they have their value, there are games that run entirely on the history and geography of the world. Often the more knowledge about these topics you have, the better you are at the game. As you get better at the game, you learn. (For those interested I highly recommend Europa Universalis IV and Geoguessr).
4. Creative Problem Solving
In games, as well as life, we often try to solve problem in the most obvious way or the way we are used to solving problems even if it seems near impossible. Many games force you to face what seems to be an impossible task using simple methods, but in reality is quite simple when the problem is dealt with in an entirely different manner.
5. Rules Can Be Bent
As long as you don't actually break them you can't get in trouble, but boy you sure can manipulate them to your advantage. Often there are unintentional outcomes from the rules in video games that people figure out how to use to do incredible things that normally wouldn't be possible. Call them exploits if you will, but I like to call it using your resources to your advantage.
6. Nothing is Impossible
When someone tell you that something is impossible within a video game, most of time you just scoff and think "watch me." I've seen the world conquered in less than 400 years by a country that was solely Okinawa at the start, I've seen 30 enemies slaughtered with grace in less than two minutes without even being seen and I have even seen beat entire games that take months normally in just a few hours. Impossible feats in the real world do happen-- all you have to do is realize it isn't impossible.
7. Management
Everyone has at least tried one of those lemonade stand management games on the internet, right? Maybe, maybe not, but regardless these sorts of games teach us about understanding budgets and how to make money more effectively (something never taught to us in school). It didn't take long to figure out how to optimize expenditures for product and staff for the maximum output of profit even as children. Now if that's not educational and useful, I don't know what is.
No matter what kind of game you're playing there is always something of value to be learned from it. Besides, you're having fun while you're learning. In my opinion that is the best way to learn anything.
