In 2022, the global number of people playing video games exceeded three billion. This is arguably the best indicator of the immense popularity of gaming. Some people may view video games as an unproductive or even harmful hobby. But video games can teach you valuable lessons that are applicable in real-world situations. And despite these common misconceptions, playing video games is a way to develop new skills and abilities.
Whether you play games for leisure or want to compete with your peers, you acquire various skills. They are useful not only in everyday life but in a professional environment as well. From problem-solving and critical thinking to hand-eye coordination and spatial awareness – video games can teach you valuable skills that are useful in many areas of life. With that said, let’s look closer at 6 skills that you may get from playing video games.
Time management
Playing video games can improve your ability to manage time by teaching you how to prioritize tasks and make quick decisions. However, developing a new skill is a lengthy process. If you're struggling with time management, you might consider buy assignment online at Assignmentmaster to help manage some of your papers. This service could provide you with more free time to focus on gaming or other important tasks.
A lot of quests in games have time constraints, which forces players to complete them within a specific period. This requires managing your time efficiently, prioritizing critical objectives, and thinking of the fastest and most convenient way to complete a task. Players must progress through levels or stages, each with its unique challenges and deadlines. This encourages you to plan your approach and actions, and what’s more important – use your time effectively to achieve goals.
Social skills
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With the rise of online gaming, the level of interaction between players has risen to new heights. Anyone with a working device and internet connection can play video games with friends and people from all corners of the world. The in-game chat function is the gateway to authentic social interaction with all sorts of individuals you can find online. What else develops communication skills better than trying to find a common ground with random people in a game?
By playing, gamers find out to work effectively with a group of friends. Besides your friends, now you can interact with different people from various regions worldwide. Social interactions aren’t limited just to talking with your buddies on school campuses anymore. Such communication greatly expands your horizons and develops an understanding of cultural backgrounds. Maybe one day it'll encourage you to learn new languages, who knows?
Critical Thinking
Every skilled player knows that each decision made in the game comes with risks and potential consequences. No matter what kind of game you’re playing. It may be Grand Theft Auto or Tetris - analyzing the available options and making wise decisions to accomplish the mission is crucial. Usually, these choices need to be made swiftly, which hones your analytical skills in high-stress situations and enables you to remain calm.
Making rash decisions during crucial moments can have severe consequences. And it goes for both you and the people affected by these decisions. Being a quick-thinker and level-headed person not only helps you in daily life but also makes you attractive to a potential employer. Playing video games is a good way to enhance your problem-solving skills. That is the way you acquire knowledge about how to use logic and creativity to come up with the necessary solutions.
Patience and endurance
If you’ve played Souls-like games or arcades like Super Meat Boy, you’re probably well aware of the value of having patience in a game. It’s hard to stay calm and continue to play while wanting to throw your keyboard or gamepad against the wall, for sure. But the ability to remain patient and persistent is one of the key traits to achieve success – both in personal and professional life. People who have the skill of patience are more likely to overcome difficult circumstances successfully and wait for favorable outcomes without stress.
Developing patience can be challenging. But gaming may be the best way to learn this skill in a stress-free setting. Dying, respawning, and starting over, again and again, is enough to test the patience and perseverance of even the most seasoned players. But that’s how you learn from previous mistakes and keep moving forward. The ability to calmly keep on going while suffering from some unpleasant stuff now is essential for a better outcome in the future.
Hand-Eye Coordination
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The University of Toronto recently conducted research. It showed that people who play video games daily, show better performance in sensorimotor tasks. This goes specifically to action games such as “CoD” and “Assassin's Creed”. The findings also suggest that playing video games may eventually be considered as a treatment option for individuals experiencing difficulty with hand-eye coordination or other sensorimotor skills.
And that may be true because having good hand-eye coordination is essential for playing even the most basic video games. The more skilled you become at this, the better you will be at playing games, as your reaction time and ability to press buttons fast without looking will improve. Plus, the improvement in hand-eye coordination is beneficial not only for playing video games. It also makes you more productive in daily tasks such as cooking or typing.
Cognitive skills
Most video games typically demand intense concentration, quick reflexes, and rapid decision-making. Remembering characters, maps, hidden paths, solving mini-quests and puzzles improves your memory and attention to detail. Some sandbox games, like Minecraft and Stardew Valley, have been shown to stimulate creativity. And this is true – there’s no limit to your flight of fantasy in some games.
Playing video games has a positive impact on cognitive function in people of all ages, especially children and teenagers. No matter which platform or OS you are playing on - the engagement required in video games improves reaction time, mental flexibility, spatial memory, and attentional capacity. These cognitive abilities are crucial for your academic success. You'll be able to process information quickly and retain important information.
Conclusion
These were 6 skills that you may get while playing video games. Next time you play a game, keep in mind – you’re not just playing, you’re gaining new skills!