Your mom told you not to waste your time playing video games, and in a lot of regards, she was probably right. But did you know that, according to new research, gamers are actually also very good at doing business?
No, we’re not joking. New research indicates that many games teach valuable skills. From risk-taking to perseverance and problem-solving, there are numerous games that are very beneficial. We’re not suggesting that students trash their books and start playing Mario, of course, but are saying that video games are far more valuable for personal development than previously thought.
Let’s take a look at skills taught by games that translate well to the business world.
Risk Taking
There are many games these days, Dark Souls being the best example, that emphasise the value of assessing risk. In Dark Souls, you get challenged to make progress, based on the idea that dying may potentially set back hours of progress. Do you push forward, unsure of how well you’ll do, or turn back for a hike to the nearest bonfire?
To be sure, Dark Souls is just a game, but the notion of risk versus reward is also enormously important in the world of business. Every industry, everywhere, has an element of risk versus reward. If you head into a job, not grasping how big an impact each decision you make can have, you’re ill-prepared. To put it another way, who would you rather have managing your finances? A reckless person with no concept of consequences, or a Dark Souls player that understands the value of turning back?
Patience And perseverance
Going back to Dark Souls, there is no game franchise in the world that emphasises patience and perseverance more. Developers From Software are deeply intimate with the idea of pushing forward, overcoming seemingly daunting odds, and reaping the rewards. In fact, the studio is so good at the concept that they’ve become one of the most successful developers in the world.
It doesn’t take much to understand how these skills translate to business. Too often graduates head out into the business world, expecting success to land in their laps. Though, avid Dark Souls players might be a bit more ready for the trials and tribulations that lie ahead.
Problem-Solving
Problem-solving games perhaps aren’t as popular as action games, but do exist, and certainly stimulate the brain in a very positive way. The widely popular franchise Portal, for example, challenges players in a way that few other forms of entrainment do. More to the point, Portal 2 is also an extremely cooperative-focused game, teaching group interaction skills along the way. If you haven’t already, try out the Portal franchise and see for yourself how deeply engaging the games are.
Problem-solving and cooperation are enormously valued in the business world. Many businesses have recently hinted at concern about young employee communication skills. We wonder if, perhaps, these young employees spent more time playing cooperative games they might be a bit more qualified.
Strategizing
Head to Grand Eagle casino and you’ll see a lot of online games putting a focus on strategizing. Assuming, of course, that we’re talking about skill-based casino games, and not luck-based casino games. Games like Poker and Roulette benefit enormously from a sound betting strategy, encouraging players to do research, think outside the box, and put thought into every action.
There are many jobs in many industries that value a strategic mind. From marketing, to finance, and more, there is nothing better than an employee that is ready to make a plan, stick to that plan, and follow through.
Concentration
Numerous games, from shooters, to fighting games and strategy games, demand concentration. You’re getting very far in Call Of Duty if you daydream, and so the value of focusing on the task at hand is clear. More so with elaborate real-time strategy games like the Total War franchise. In fact, games as in-depth as Total War are perhaps the best brain training exercises you can ask for.
Concentration is also becoming an increasing concern in the business world, especially where young employees are concerned. It goes without saying that, perhaps the youth should lean more into games that encourage concentration.
Leadership
There are a number of popular team-based games, including Fortnite, PUBG, and Rainbow 6 Siege. Each game benefits dramatically from good cooperation, encouraging at least one player to step up as a leader. If there is no leader, the team is likely going to perform badly.
Yes, there is a big difference between leading a team in Fortnite, and leading a team in the business world, but perhaps the similarities are more than they seem. It’s clear in Fortnite that if you don’t listen to the leader, and don’t respect another’s opinion, your team is going to fall into chaos. The same is true for any workplace team in any industry. In fact, some businesses should consider making Fortnite part of their team-building exercises.
Social Skills
The general perception is that video games rob gamers of social skills, and to some extent that is true. Some games, however, put an enormous emphasis on social skills. MMOs for example. It isn’t strictly necessary to talk to other players in an MMO, but the game is a great deal more enjoyable if you do.
Again, there is concern about social skills in the younger generation, but certainly not in those that lean into the social aspects of MMOs.
Video Games Can Be Beneficial
We’re not suggesting that video games are the secret to success in the business world. What we are suggesting is that if the benefits of video games are brought to the surface, rather than the negatives, gamer employees can be a major boon. It all depends on how the topic is approached, and how businesses view their employees.
If anything, companies should certainly look to video games for team-building purposes. A good team-based game will make all the difference in bringing employees together, training them to work as a team, and pushing them to achieve goals.
Leave a Reply