Free AI web copilot to create summaries, insights and extended knowledge, download it at here

Abstract

t’s very easy to start throwing aggressive words left and right when things go wrong. But if the first thing we do is finding someone to blame, we have an attitude problem.Flaming and blaming rarely lead to anything good. So when we manage to keep our cursing under control, we reach a new level of self-mastery.<h2 id="f5c1">3. Language practice</h2>It’s amazing how easily people underestimate the language component in video games. Video game producers hire the best writers to create outstanding characters, fantastic plots and actually useful game instructions.So whatever chunks of text you come across in a video game, chances are it was written by a wordsmith; unless the company was on a very tight budget.Sometimes the writing style is official, while other times it’s poetic and playful. Regardless of style, the words are usually carefully picked and they convey a lot of meaning.Also, most games are in English. And considering the fact that a lot of gamers are non-native English speakers, playing video games is a good chance for them to practice their English skills as well. Such a win-win.<h2 id="ddf2">4. Learning about Customer Experience</h2>When we play video games, we become customers/consumers/users… you get the idea. And we can study and experience the trends first-hand.We can also take into consideration other consumers’ feedback. What your friends think about a game is actually valuable information. There’s tons of market research to collect such data, and the amounts of money involved are unbelievable.Basically, we just have to watch ourselves to know how effective a marketing strategy is. If we’re convinced to make in-game purchases, despite knowing we shouldn’t, we could say

Options

we were approached with a marketing strategy on the verge of evil. We’ll talk about this some other time…I believe any creator or business person should walk many miles in the customer’s shoes. The more miles walked, the bigger the picture one can see.<h2 id="dfe7">5. Handling Addiction</h2>We start playing a video game, and before we know it, it has become our newest addiction.It’s very easy to develop such an addiction since the game requires tons of practice to be actually enjoyable. After all, it’s hard to enjoy anything we’re terrible at.With a new addiction under belt, we spend most of our wake hours playing, and most of our sleeping hours dreaming about future trophies; virtual trophies, obviously.It’s super easy to fall into this pattern without feeling guilty, especially if we don’t have much going on in our lives.So we got to learn temperance. We got to measure the quantity of playing we can afford, without damaging other areas in our life.Any hour spent playing video games could have been an hour with family or friends. This is the opportunity cost we all have to consider. You direct more energy into an area of life, and suddenly at least one other area gets affected.Needing to deal with these trade-offs is scary, because it feels like our resources (time and energy) are so limited.That’s why we have to cherish every single thing we have.That’s it, folks: Five reasons why playing video games have a good side, too. Feel free to show this list to your parents, wives, or anyone attacking your gaming passion. Just don’t exaggerate. Use this article (as an excuse) once per person.Thank you for reading this far.</article></body>

So You Think Video Games Teach You Nothing, Eh?

That’s what we were told as kids, but…

**Classic gaming atmosphere. Photo by Alex Haney on Unsplash**

First of all, I am not Canadian, but for some reason I had to put an “eh” in the title. It’s to emphasize the fact that I’m about to prove someone wrong. The gratification is real.

O.K.. Enough with being an asshole. I’ll do my best to be a good boi for the rest of the article.

We all know the bad rap video games are getting.

“It’s gonna make you antisocial.”

“It’s bad for your eyes.”

“You’re wasting your life.”

While there may be some truth in the three arguments above, we can’t deny the benefits video games can bring in our lives. So, Ladies and Gentlemen, let me present you five reasons why playing video games is an educational experience:

1. Having to accept the fact that we need each other

It doesn’t matter how independent we are, video games make us realize how much we need each other.

In real life, we need game developers and all sorts of artists and business people to put the game together.

In the virtual world, we need team mates to help us overcome obstacles, and we also need enemies to evaluate our level of skill.

Pretty much like real life, where we need each other.

2. Abstinence from cursing

It’s very easy to start throwing aggressive words left and right when things go wrong. But if the first thing we do is finding someone to blame, we have an attitude problem.

Flaming and blaming rarely lead to anything good. So when we manage to keep our cursing under control, we reach a new level of self-mastery.

3. Language practice

It’s amazing how easily people underestimate the language component in video games. Video game producers hire the best writers to create outstanding characters, fantastic plots and actually useful game instructions.

So whatever chunks of text you come across in a video game, chances are it was written by a wordsmith; unless the company was on a very tight budget.

Sometimes the writing style is official, while other times it’s poetic and playful. Regardless of style, the words are usually carefully picked and they convey a lot of meaning.

Also, most games are in English. And considering the fact that a lot of gamers are non-native English speakers, playing video games is a good chance for them to practice their English skills as well. Such a win-win.

4. Learning about Customer Experience

When we play video games, we become customers/consumers/users… you get the idea. And we can study and experience the trends first-hand.

We can also take into consideration other consumers’ feedback. What your friends think about a game is actually valuable information. There’s tons of market research to collect such data, and the amounts of money involved are unbelievable.

Basically, we just have to watch ourselves to know how effective a marketing strategy is. If we’re convinced to make in-game purchases, despite knowing we shouldn’t, we could say we were approached with a marketing strategy on the verge of evil. We’ll talk about this some other time…

I believe any creator or business person should walk many miles in the customer’s shoes. The more miles walked, the bigger the picture one can see.

5. Handling Addiction

We start playing a video game, and before we know it, it has become our newest addiction.

It’s very easy to develop such an addiction since the game requires tons of practice to be actually enjoyable. After all, it’s hard to enjoy anything we’re terrible at.

With a new addiction under belt, we spend most of our wake hours playing, and most of our sleeping hours dreaming about future trophies; virtual trophies, obviously.

It’s super easy to fall into this pattern without feeling guilty, especially if we don’t have much going on in our lives.

So we got to learn temperance. We got to measure the quantity of playing we can afford, without damaging other areas in our life.

Any hour spent playing video games could have been an hour with family or friends. This is the opportunity cost we all have to consider. You direct more energy into an area of life, and suddenly at least one other area gets affected.

Needing to deal with these trade-offs is scary, because it feels like our resources (time and energy) are so limited.

That’s why we have to cherish every single thing we have.

That’s it, folks: Five reasons why playing video games have a good side, too. Feel free to show this list to your parents, wives, or anyone attacking your gaming passion. Just don’t exaggerate. Use this article (as an excuse) once per person.

Thank you for reading this far.