Video games have long been seen as a form of entertainment, a way to blow off some steam or escape into another world.
For most people, gaming is just a fun activity to enjoy in their spare time. However, as esports have risen in popularity, some players have turned their gaming passion into a career, earning impressive sums of money and gaining global recognition.
Professional gamers train for hours a day, honing their craft to be able to compete at the highest levels, often with extensive exercise and diet plans to support this. As a result, the best players demonstrate impressive levels of skill, dedication, and strategic thinking.
But you don’t need to be a professional to benefit from playing games. In fact, even casual gamers can develop valuable, transferable skills that are useful in many aspects of everyday life.
Numeracy Skills
Many people hate the thought of learning or doing maths, but if you can make it enjoyable, most of us are happy to engage. That’s where gaming comes in; many titles require players to think mathematically and apply basic arithmetic or even more advanced concepts such as probabilities.
For example, darts is a popular game that tests your ability to add and multiply numbers, as well as your ability to accurately hit the target. Players must constantly calculate scores in their heads, keeping track so they can aim at the right numbers to reach the required total.
Whilst more commonly associated with words, Scrabble is another game that teaches players about multiplication, as bonus squares can double or triple the value of letters or words. This requires quick mental calculations as you decide on which tiles to place.
Casino games are another area where players can test their maths skills. Popular titles like slots, blackjack, and roulette have been made much more accessible in recent years as online platforms like PokerStars Casino have created huge catalogues of slot, card, and table games with a wide selection of variants that are designed to cater to every taste.
Card and table games can test your abilities to assess and calculate probabilities so you can make optimal decisions. For example, in blackjack, players that want to minimise the house edge will use Basic or Perfect Blackjack Strategy to decide whether to hit or stand based on the likelihood of each choice beating the dealer.
These same skills are valuable in real life when it comes to budgeting, planning expenses, or even engaging in hobbies like baking or DIY. When you’re calculating ingredients or estimating how much paint is needed for a room, the numeracy skills developed through gaming can come in handy.
Hand-Eye Coordination
Many video games require precise movements and quick reflexes, helping players develop strong hand-eye coordination.
First-person shooters like Call of Duty are a great example of this. In these games, players must react in fractions of a second to an enemy appearing on screen. The ability to accurately aim and shoot with precision under pressure is a skill that is critical to avoid being taken out by your opponent.
Hand-eye coordination is an essential skill in everyday life too, particularly when it comes to physical activities like driving, cooking, or even sewing.
For example, when driving, you need to control the steering wheel and pedals while keeping your eyes on the road and being aware of other vehicles and obstacles.
Similarly, tasks like chopping vegetables or threading a needle require fine motor skills and coordination between what you see and how your hands respond.
Communication Skills
One common misconception about video games is that they hinder social interaction. Critics often argue that gaming isolates individuals from the real world.
However, many modern games, especially online multiplayer games, actively encourage teamwork and communication. Players must coordinate strategies, share information, and work together to achieve common goals.
This is particularly evident in team-based games, where players need to effectively communicate their plans and movements to outsmart their opponents.
For example, in Counterstrike, if one team member fails to communicate properly, it can lead to the entire team losing the round. Clear, efficient, and precise communication becomes crucial, mirroring real-world scenarios in work environments where collaboration is key.
In the real world, strong communication skills are essential for success in any area of life, such as working on a group project, resolving conflicts, or managing relationships.
Gaming can also foster connections and friendships between players from different backgrounds and cultures. Many online games give players the opportunity to engage with people from around the world, enhancing their ability to understand and communicate across diverse groups, which is an invaluable skill in an increasingly interconnected world.
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Header Photo by Samsung Memory on Unsplash
