A lesson learned

"Video games are a waste of time". If you're like me, you've heard this sentence many times throughout your life, often from someone's girlfriend who's upset they're not getting enough attention. Of course, this isn't the only instance where one might hear the phrase. Parents, teachers, and just non-gamers in general are fond of belittling our favorite pass time. I've never really let it get to me, as I feel that the same could be said about any form of entertainment, but also because I just don't believe it to be true.

Although most people play games for fun only, there are valuable lessons to be learned that can be carried over into real life. And I'm not just talking about self-improvement games, such as Brain Age or Wii Fit, but rather games in general, from first-person shooters to simple puzzle titles. There are many skills that can be acquired from video games, so I'm going to list a few that I feel are most common.

Hand-eye Co-ordination
This is the most obvious of the bunch, so I listed it first. I think it's clear that anyone who spends a significant amount of time gaming would improve in this area. As controllers have become more complex over the years, increasingly difficult and precise commands must be entered with exact timing. These skills can then be carried over into the learning of other machinery, or tasks that require finger dexterity. In fact, a study has shown that doctors who play at least 3 hours of video games a week make less errors in surgery, and perform operations faster.

Problem Solving
Many games feature logic puzzles, from Professor Layton right up to Tomb Raider and Resident Evil, but solving problems is a key component of many other titles too, when figuring out how to get to the next area or take down a difficult boss. Although real life is different because there isn't always a set solution to your problems, videos games can help you to consider things from other angles and try multiple times until you find the answer.

Multitasking
Not all games require you to pay attention to multiple things at once, but certain genres, such as Real Time Strategy, definitely challenge you to learn this skill in order to play successfully. Even a game like Viva Piñata has many things going on at the same time, and focusing on just one area can lead to your downfall. I've definitely noticed this skill carrying over to real life, as I now find it easier to plan and carry out multiple tasks when at work or home.

Teamwork
Not so much a factor in single-player games, this skill comes more into play in multi-player, team-based titles. Valve have made some excellent games that teach this lesson, such as Team Fortress and Left 4 Dead. Left 4 Dead is a good example, as trying to be a hero and running off on your own is a sure way to die very quickly. Instead, good communication and co-ordination are essential, and these skills can then be carried over into real-life activities, such as sports. Unfortunately, not everyone on Xbox Live seems to learn this lesson, but good players should realize that a well organized team will always beat a less co-ordinated one.

Perseverance
Anyone who's ever played a difficult game will know how important perseverance can be. Sometimes you know what you're supposed to do in order to advance, but just can't get it right. If you're like me, you may find yourself repeating areas over and over, refusing to give up until you get past. Learning to persevere is important for so many things in life, so getting practice in video games shouldn't be overlooked. It may not always be fun, but not everything in life is, is it?

Improved Memory
Again, not a skill essential for all titles, but necessary in some, such as racing games. Memorizing the track layout is the only way to succeed in these titles, and this can help with learning repetitive tasks in real life. Anyone who's tried speed runs or time trials in games such as Mirror's Edge or Prince of Persia should know that if you have a lousy memory, you're never going to get good times.

I'm sure there are many other skills and lessons that can be learned when playing video games, but this list should at least give you something to say the next time an ignorant person tells you you're wasting your time. I realize that I don't have a lot of proof that these skills carry over to real life, but it should be obvious that the more you do something, the better you get at it, whether it be real or virtual. Feel free to leave a comment telling us of any other skills you've picked up while gaming.