Game Skills for Life: Strategy, Decisions, and Risk Management

Gaming has always been seen as a popular form of entertainment. Video gaming in particular is nearly all-pervasive, as people play it with friends, against strangers, and in front of large audiences. Yet, despite such popularity, gaming was also always perceived negatively by society. 

In the US, video games have long been blamed for gun violence incidents, such as the Columbine High School shootings in the 1990s and the Sandy Hook Elementary School shootings in 2012. In contrast with Australia, video games are not attributed as causes for violence among young adults, but instead, it is considered as one of the factors that affect young people’s mental health and academic performance. 

While there is definitely a lot of bad press associated with video gaming, it has become a subject of interest among researchers and psychologists, with its potential to hone strategic thinking, decision-making, and risk assessment opening up a fascinating dialogue about its benefits. 

Below, we will discuss the positive side of gaming and how it requires critical thinking, risk assessment, and strategic planning, allowing individuals to develop these skills while having fun.

Role of Video Games in Developing Strategic Thought

Most video games are designed to demand strategic thinking from players—a skill defined by careful analysis, planning, and adapting to changing environments. This strategic mindset, inculcated in gamers, can easily be transferred to real-life applications. In academic assignments, the strategic skills learned from video games can be used to help you plan the time needed to finish them, allowing you to manage your other subjects better.

In the workplace setting, the ability to strategize effectively can help you land project management and leadership roles. With gaming, you can practice breaking down complex problems presented by the games into manageable parts and use the skills you learned to solve real-life complex problems. 

How Games Simulate Risk and How They Can Be Applied In Real Life

Aside from enhancing strategic thinking, video games also sharpen one’s risk assessment skills. 

Many games involve elements of risk and reward, where players must decide whether to take a chance for greater rewards or play it safe to avoid potential losses. For example, loot boxes in RPG games offer the chance to gain rare items or upgrades—but they often come with a real-money cost that can outweigh their in-game value. 

Games that simulate risk not only help players analyze their risk appetite but also assess others' reactions and tendencies. In real life, enhanced risk assessment skills are invaluable, especially when considering new business ventures or choosing a career path. One’s ability to properly assess the risks involved allows them to make informed decisions, giving them the confidence to pursue what they know will lead to the success they envision.

Impact of Simulated Environments in Gaming on Real-World Decision Making

Many video games also put players in high-stress virtual environments that will encourage them to make on-the-spot decisions. Action-packed RPGs like Call of Duty require players to make informed snap decisions to avoid getting killed on the virtual battlefield. This game element, which requires players to act swiftly, trains them to evaluate options properly, even with limited information, and to rely on their instincts. 

This decision-making skill can be applied in real-world career paths that involve high-intensity environments. In medical fields such as healthcare and emergency response, the decision-making skills you acquired from playing video games may help you think on your feet, especially when deciding the first course of action to prevent a person from bleeding to death.  

Gamers who frequently engage in fast-paced decision-making can leverage this skill to navigate real-life pressures more efficiently and effectively. 

The Verdict

As video gaming continues to grow in popularity, society should really move away from the archaic thinking that it does more harm than good. 

Given that several studies have shown that video games help gamers develop strategic thinking, decision-making, and risk-assessment skills, it is clear that gaming may positively contribute to cognitive development. 

As long as young adults are guided by their parents and adults know how to balance gaming with their real-life responsibilities, gaming can serve as an outlet for relaxation and a training ground for essential skills to navigate life effectively.