The world of games is truly exceptional. They teach us about social interactions, entertain us and provoke the vast variety of emotional response with their plots, allowing us to live many lives as different characters and see the consequences of our choices and actions affect them. It is no secret that video games are an excellent way for people of all ages to learn valuable lessons, especially for those who do not like to be lectured on life matters by others, so here are the four simple, yet important life lessons that you can learn with the help of video games.
The more you try – the more you learn.
Learning to take setbacks in stride is an essential skill in any game that will benefit us in our daily life. Setbacks often come thick and fast, and before you can even process the last one, another appears. It can feel like a thousand last straws are being thrown at you. The only way to deal with this is to be resilient and continue to try and improve with every attempt.
Remember how you tried a hundred times to beat your most hated Dark Souls boss? Only by starting over and over again could you build the kind of strategy that helped you win the battle – and this also allowed you to learn to accept and overcome challenges in real life. In the end, the best strategy to find a job comes to you after many interviews, choosing partners becomes easier with more experience in relationships, and the ability to write better than any essay writer service develops after several E’s.
Not all strangers are dangerous.
Learning to be wary of strangers is a basic life lesson that kids should be taught and also the one we sometimes tend to forget and misinterpret in our adult life. While this concept is simple enough to be learned quickly, many people find it difficult to accept. Strangers are always described to us as scary and mean in childhood, but kids need to know that not all strangers are bad, and some can help them in their times of need. Let’s remember all the shady merchants and not-so-talkative NPCs we have met throughout our gaming adventures. They may seem suspicious at first but can sell us the most powerful items or come to our rescue in times of need.
Failures bring us most valuable lessons.
Learning to deal with failure through games can be beneficial for various reasons. For starters, it can provide instant feedback when something goes wrong, which is essential for gamers. It can also help develop empathy and a growth mindset. Ultimately, failure can shape who you are and what you can achieve in the future. Whether you’re playing a video game or a real-life scenario, failure can be less frightening if you’ve got the right support.
The ability to deal with failure may be particularly valuable in corporate environments, where people are often discouraged by the possibility of failure. The negative consequences of failure are often ignored, resulting in low performance and a culture of blame.
Learning to deal with failure through games also allows us to discuss and share our feelings with others. This helps develop teamwork skills and fosters a sense of community. It’s also essential to discuss success and failure and brainstorm possible solutions so players can learn from each other. Besides, the experience of working with others can be a powerful motivator for learning, and this is where online multiplayer and cooperative games come in handy.
Social skills are important, as well as consequences of your actions.
Games that teach social skills are an excellent way to learn interpersonal communication. Some games focus on problem-solving skills and others focus on identifying social cues and acting accordingly. From various simulators (even dating ones) to highly consequence-influenced games like the Life is Strange series, games teach us that communication with people is both important and has to be done properly to end up with a positive outcome.
Game developers are also focusing on developing memorable characters to keep players engaged. The best productions will have several characters that draw players in and teach them how to appreciate different people. Learning to be social through games also helps us develop open-mindedness, which is always a plus in the modern world. These games can teach us how to be kind and compassionate to others and how to handle conflict.
Even the most basic minigames for big and loud companies, like those served in the Jackbox party packs, can be helpful in this case. Most of them are based on social interactions and the ability to explain matters clearly, which are the most effective social skills in the modern world.
As you can see, playing games may also benefit your daily life, so the next time someone tells you about wasting time on games, feel free to share these facts with them and invite them to play together 😉