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There are many benefits for adults and children that stem from online gaming that are often overlooked. Recent research supports the idea that online gaming can actually be good for you. For years people have frowned upon online gaming and thought it to isolate individuals from the outside world. In fact, in today’s digital world, just the opposite can be true. Skills learned from repetitively playing online games can be transferred into real-life scenarios. Check out these five perks from online gaming you probably haven’t thought of.
1. Discipline
Depending on the structure of the game, you can really begin to learn or sharpen your discipline skills. Discipline is often referred to as a rule or system of rules governing conduct or activity. Depending on your action – or inaction—there are certain consequences when playing a game. If you make the correct move, according to the rules, you likely advance or win something. If you make the wrong move, again, according to the governing rules of the game, you can be demoted to a lower level, kicked out of the game entirely or even given another chance to try again. Discipline can be a tough concept to grasp, especially for kids. Online games can help to reinforce the fact that in life, we often must follow the rules set in place or there will be certain consequences.
2. Teamwork
While some might prefer to play solo or against a computer, playing on a team or with others can help to build valuable teamwork skills. There are many options available to start testing the waters with multiplayer games. It’s a chance to quickly learn that if you aren’t pulling your weight, the whole team suffers. While it doesn’t mean you have to be the best at playing the game – it teaches you that helping others is rewarding and will likely pay off in your team’s favor. It’s also a great opportunity for those who need an extra boost of confidence to engage with others. For example, if you haven’t always been the best team player in the real world (professional life or other), but you want a chance to improve those skills without huge risks at stake.
3. Time Management
This is a skill that is rarely thought of as a perk of online gaming. In fact, the contrary is believed to be true. Many parents feel their kids spend ample amounts of time playing online games – and even will go as far to say wasting their time. However, many games can actually teach the importance of time management. Whether there’s a time limit for advancing to the next level or time limit for the chance to escape the villain, you learn pretty quick how important time is. This can be translated into various scenarios in the real world, for example, time-sensitive projects in your career.
4. Productivity
Productivity is a word that is used frequently in the professional world. Employees are often judged by their ability to be productive in a set amount of time. Whether working toward a huge deadline or just producing quality work day in and day out, it’s important to the success of the company. Online gaming actually can improve your productivity levels overall by allowing you to take a break from rigorous tasks and shift your focus. It’s actually recommended to take frequent breaks throughout the day and some research recommends even every hour. This recent survey about the lives of gamers shows that the study participants believe gaming fosters productivity. In fact, 54 percent of respondents playing online games at work.
5. Focus
In a world full of constant distractions, it can be extremely hard to focus on one task at a time. Even the simplest tasks tend to be overcomplicated or procrastinated. Online gaming can help to sharpen focus skills so one can learn to drown out distractions and keep the end goal in mind. For many online games, there’s a clear objective. Whether it’s to advance through every level and win the whole game or simply win a sports match against an opponent, focus is vital to your success in online gaming. This skill can be applied outside of gaming in many areas of your life and is often very important.
These are just a few of the many perks online gaming can provide you. If you are on the fence about taking up a new hobby, or worried your kids are doing more harm than good, consider these factors before making your decision!
