Looking for some life lessons? Games offer more than just entertainment; they can also teach players valuable lessons that can be applied in everyday life. Whether it’s the importance of teamwork, perseverance, or being cautious, there is a wealth of valuable lessons to be learned from playing games.
Life lessons from video games
Games can teach us many things, including:
Playfulness
We all know it’s important to be playful, but sometimes we forget to just have fun and try new things. Some games encourage us to try new things like new classes in MMORPGs, different characters in fighting games, or different types of gameplay. RuneScape taught me basic economics (and the importance of not buying from suspicious vendors), and Diablo 2 gave some of us trust issues.
Practice, practice, practice
Sometimes success comes from being competitive and not giving up easily. In fighting games, for example, it’s important to know when to keep going and when to stop and reflect on your performance. Playing until you can’t get it wrong is a good lesson to learn, as we can learn from Hollow Knight.
Small increments of progress
Sometimes we learn that not all victories are recognized or rewarded. Games like The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time show that not all stories have a traditional happy ending. But even in games like Ocarina of Time, where the player character eventually dies, we learn that it’s important not to give up easily and that sometimes practice leads to small increments of progress.
Learning by doing
Games give us the opportunity to learn by doing. We can learn how to manage our own expectations and avoid disappointment by playing games like Factorio, where we work towards a goal but have to deal with setbacks and remain flexible enough to change course based on new information.
Not giving up
Fail until you win. That’s the mentality some players bring to games, such as Danganronpa, and it’s a great life lesson to learn. Players who give up too easily are often not successful in competitive games, and sometimes we need to push forward in difficult times.
Being cautious
Some games, like The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time, teach players that it’s okay to ask for help. In Ocarina of Time, players learn that not all dangers can be avoided on their own, and asking for help is sometimes necessary. Players can also learn to be cautious of their surroundings and avoid certain dangers by playing games like Kerbal Space Program.
Practice makes perfect
Sometimes we learn that practice makes perfect, while other times we learn that practice makes permanent. In some games, like Hollow Knight, we learn that practice makes perfect and that trying and failing is necessary for personal growth.
Being competitive
Some games, like RuneScape, teach the value of practice, patience, and small increments of progress, while other games, like The Witcher 3, help players learn to be competitive. The Witcher 3 teaches players to be persistent and always aim to be the best.
Learning how to handle failure
Some games help players learn to be cautious and not trust everyone. Games like Danganronpa and Zero Escape teach players to be cautious and not trust everyone, even those who appear to be on their side.
Developing leadership qualities
Leading raids in MMOs can help develop leadership qualities, as do games like Destiny 2, which allow players to develop leadership skills by taking charge and assigning tasks.
What games taught you valuable life lessons? Let us know in the comments below.
