Video games are not a complete and total waste of time. Assassin’s Creed teaches you world history. Metal Gear Solid teaches politics and philosophy. And Cooking Mama teaches you, well, cooking.
Those are some of the nuggets of wisdom at “Real Things Video Games Teach You,” a blog that in two days has compiled nearly 60 examples of the positive things a game can contribute to your development. Some seem a little tongue-in-cheek (Grand Theft Auto teaches you “managing consequences”.) but all the entries contain some earnest defence of the medium.
What have video games taught you? They’ve taught me how to hit the green with a five-iron on No. 12 at Pebble Beach.
Real Things Video Games Teach You [Tumblr]
Comments
2 responses to “A Love Of Learning Is The Guide To Life — And Video Games”
Probably the most reasonable things I’ve learned from playing video games that I apply to “real life” are concepts such as: sharing, wonder of exploration, problem/puzzle solving, hand-eye coordination, time management, and the perpetually important idea of “aim for the head or heart” (Seriously, think about it)
Dynasty Warriors turned me onto reading Romance of the Three Kingdoms, which in turn, sparked my love for ancient history.
Video games also taught me how to read. I was always one of the best readers in my class growing up, and it confused the hell out of my mum because I never actually read any books as a kid (although that has changed considerably).
I don’t know. I just feel like video games played a really great part in my learning as a kid; I feel I’d be a lot stupidier and less interested in writing and literature had I not excessively played video games when I was young.