As access to technology improves and gaming devices become more affordable, more and more people across the world are getting into the world of gaming. Today, there are approximately 3.09 billion gamers across the world. By this year, the figure is expected to rise to 3.32 billion gamers. Statistics also show that 45% of gamers are now female too, indicating how far the gaming industry has come over the last decade.
As the industry evolves into ‘gaming as a service’, more people are able to try out the latest titles on streaming services that otherwise would have been inaccessible. In fact, 52% of gamers now subscribe to at least one gaming service; a figure that is expected to also rise during the next few years. In addition, gaming technology is transforming traditional games, in which the likes of slot games are being transformed by Megaways slots technology and live gaming makes it feel more real than ever before.
Gaming is more than just a hobby though, it can teach us so many valuable skills that can be applied to real life. So, if you’re worried about the amount of time spent gaming, read on below to find out what skills people can develop while gaming.
Mathematical skills
Mathematical skills are one of the most important skills to have in the adult world. While it can be frustrating as children to understand why we need to learn fractions and times tables, math skills are needed for things like developing a career, building our own financial independence, and having the ability to perform essential tasks such as filing taxes, weighing ingredients for a recipe, or working out a percentage in a sale in a department store.
Gaming is one of the last things we would think of for developing mathematical skills, yet many games like Monopoly Live, casino games, and even simple games on your phone can develop essential mathematical skills in a fun way. Taking Monopoly as an example, players are considering whether it’s worth buying a property, calculating how much tax they owe, and developing their cash flow.
IT skills
Gaming naturally develops your ability to know your way around software, computers, and perhaps even programming depending on the game. Having IT skills is a highly valued trait in today’s world and is very in demand across the globe. In fact, an IT technicians time is highly valuable and not only are there an abundance of jobs but they are also paid very well.
Some games that teach you how to code include:
- Code Monkey
- CodinGame
- CSS Diner
- Flexbox Froggy
- CodeCombat
Risk Taking
Life is all about risk taking. If you don’t have the ability to take risks then you don’t have the ability to make important decisions that could lead to growth and success either. Although it may not be a real danger, video games teach players how to evaluate risk in a safe environment where there are minimal real life consequences.
Combat games are great for developing risk taking skills as players can explore how far they can push themselves and others they are playing with as a team before something monumental happens. Additionally, the online casino world is a place that teaches players how to manage financial risk while in a relatively safe environment where there are measures in place to help people manage their bankroll. That being said, players must take responsibility for their gaming habits and manage their play responsibly.
Creativity
In a world where practical skills like problem solving and critical thinking are highly valued, creative skills are also just as important. In fact, today’s school curriculums and places of work are placing a higher focus on creative skills like building a connection with people, being able to think outside the box and coming up with unique ideas to help the 21st century’s problems.
Not to mention, creativity can also have many long term benefits on our mental and physical health, such as allowing us to sleep better, regulating our mood, and helping to burn stress. Studies have shown that creative people are more adept at developing confidence in their own abilities, as well as being resilient when making errors, and are also more willing to try new things.
Games that foster creativity include Minecraft as it is a game that helps players use their imagination to create unique structures. In Puzzle games, players are challenged to think outside the box which also helps foster creativity.
Overall, there are so many skills that people develop by video gaming, without even releasing. Whether they are practical life skills or even soft skills, these are all still qualities that are valued in today’s world and help to make people more resilient in life, as well as being more employable.
