When we think of video games, entertainment is often the first word that comes to mind. Gaming offers us an escape from the routine of our day-to-day lives, and most of us play them as a way to disconnect when we have downtime. What you may not realize is that as you make your way through those virtual worlds or decide which strategy to use in an online card game, you’re learning things that can help you make better decisions.
That’s because most video games require players to make a series of decisions to complete the title successfully. When you put on your thinking cap while playing a game to solve a problem or for strategic planning, you’re improving your cognitive skills. These virtual experiences can have real benefits in the real world, helping you to get through complex situations and make informed choices; here we look at how.
Adaptability and Problem-Solving
As you play through a video game, you’re constantly presented with unexpected challenges that demand you solve problems and adapt to changing scenarios quickly. All we have to do is look at a puzzle-based game like Portal to see how this works. In Portal, gamers must think creatively and come up with clever solutions if they hope to progress.
You can see the same thing in action-adventure games that present players with unexpected obstacles in an attempt to trip them up. If they want to succeed, players must adjust their strategies on the fly. These games train players to have mental flexibility and resilience, two skills that are necessary for handling real-life situations where thinking on one’s feet and adapting to rapidly changing conditions is a must.
As online casinos have become popular, more and more gamers are trying their hand at popular card games like poker. Poker is a game that requires players to put their problem-solving skills and adaptability to work. Even when playing online poker on a platform like PokerStars, players need to employ certain skills, including understanding the rules, continuously assessing their hands, reading opponents’ behaviors, and adjusting their strategies based on what’s unfolding.
After all, a well-planned approach can be undone when a competitor makes an unexpected move. In this type of scenario, a player must be able to respond quickly and change their game plan as the action unfolds in real time. It’s the same thing that happens in the real world when people have to respond to changes they didn’t anticipate, whether that’s a business decision or everyday problem-solving. Poker teaches players to remain calm under pressure and make calculated decisions, skills that are valuable beyond the gaming table.
Understanding Consequences Through Games
While it might be nice to go through life without worrying about the consequences of our decisions, that’s just not reality. Gaming drives this point home when players find themselves immersed in worlds where their decisions can have a lasting impact. You can see this most vividly in role-playing games, where a choice you make could change the storyline, your relationship with the characters, and the final outcome of the game.
These games have a cause-and-effect dynamic that encourages players to think critically about their actions and try to predict the possible repercussions of the decisions they make. These experiences are similar to situations that are common in our daily lives, where we often have to evaluate competition options and anticipate the consequences of the choices we make.
Risk Assessment and Strategic Thinking
Taking calculated risks is a big part of life, but you want to conduct a risk assessment before moving forward with a decision. Strategy games and competitive multiplayer platforms help players develop these skills because they’re constantly expected to assess risks and come up with plans to overcome challenges.
In a game like Civilization, players have to take part in long-term strategic planning as they decide how to manage resources and engage in tactical decision-making. Whether they’re evaluating potential threats or deciding how to allocate resources so they’ll be available when needed, these games keep players on their toes as they go back and forth between assessing risks and strategically planning for what’s to come.
Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is solely the author’s opinion and not investment advice – it is provided for educational purposes only. By using this, you agree that the information does not constitute any investment or financial instructions. Do conduct your own research and reach out to financial advisors before making any investment decisions.
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