video games that improve problem solving skills

Playing these 6 video games could help improve your problem-solving skills

Jane McGonigal , a world-renowned designer of alternate-reality games who has a Ph.D. in performance studies, wants to change people's conception of video games as " just escapist, guilty pleasures."

" My number one goal in life is to see a game designer nominated for a Nobel Peace Prize," McGonigal writes on her website .

She tells Business Insider she wants people to realize that games can be "powerful tools to improve our attention, our mood, our cognitive strengths, and our relationships."

And research is on her side.

Studies suggest that mainstream games like "Call of Duty" may improve our cognitive abilities significantly more than games specifically designed to do so by designers like Luminosity.

To help spread the truth about common misconceptions, seven neuroscientists from around the world signed the document "A Consensus on the Brain Training Industry from the Scientific Community" in 2014 to say they "object to the claim" that brainteaser games can improve cognitive abilities, as no scientific evidence has been able to confirm such a claim.

Even better for gamers, research from North Carolina State University and Florida State University suggests that mainstream games geared toward entertainment can help improve attention, spatial orientation, and problem-solving abilities.

In her book, " Super Better ," McGonigal writes that the researchers she talked to about this seeming contradiction offered a simple explanation: "Traditional video games are more complex and harder to master, and they require that the player learn a wider and more challenging range of skills and abilities."

If you want to have fun and stimulate your mind, McGonigal recommends playing one of these six games three times a week for about 20 minutes.

McGonigal says playing fast-paced games like "Call of Duty," a first-person shooter game, can help improve visual attention and spatial-intelligence skills, which can lead to better performance in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.

video games that improve problem solving skills

Another fast-paced game, "Forza," a car-racing game, may help improve your ability to make accurate decisions under pressure.

Taking on the role of a criminal in a big city in "Grand Theft Auto" may help train you to process information faster and keep track of more information — up to three times the amount as nongamers, some studies suggest — in high-stress situations.

Strategic games like "StarCraft," a military-science-fiction game, can also improve the ability to solve imaginary and real-life problems, possibly because they teach users to both formulate and execute strategic plans.

Games that require strategic thinking, like science-fiction third-person-shooter game "Mass Effect," also test and refine your information-gathering skills.

Lastly, "thinking games" like "Final Fantasy," a fantasy-role-playing game, can help train you to evaluate your options faster and more accurately.

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10 best games for learning real world skills.

Video games are often associated with entertainment and leisure but many games can also be powerful tools for learning real-world skills. In fact, some games have been specifically designed to teach skills such as critical thinking, problem-solving and resource management.

Here are 10 of the best games for learning real-world skills:

1. Minecraft - 2011 (Windows, Mac OS, Mobile, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation, Xbox)

Trailer - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MmB9b5njVbA

Minecraft is a popular sandbox game that can help players learn a variety of real-world skills. One of the most notable skills that Minecraft teaches is creativity. Players must use their imaginations to build and design structures from scratch, often with limited resources. This encourages players to think outside of the box and come up with unique solutions to problems. Additionally, Minecraft teaches resource management skills as players must gather materials and manage their inventory to survive and thrive in the game. Finally, Minecraft also encourages problem-solving skills as players must overcome obstacles such as monsters and environmental hazards to progress in the game. The popular gaming series is a great game for teaching skills in a fun and engaging way.

For fans of Terraria

Both are a 2d sandbox game
Both include crafting, building and exploration
Both include day/night cycle

2. Kerbal Space Program - 2015 (Windows, Mac OS, PlayStation, Xbox)

Trailer - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aAa9Ao26gtM

This space flight simulation game can help players learn a load of real-world skills related to physics and engineering. One of the most notable skills that KSP teaches is problem-solving. Gamers must design and build a spacecraft to complete different missions and this often requires them to troubleshoot problems and come up with creative solutions to complex challenges. Additionally, Kerbal Space Program makes you use critical thinking skills as players have to analyze data and make informed decisions based on that information. Finally, it teaches physics and engineering principles such as gravity, thrust and aerodynamics as they experiment with different spacecraft designs.

For fans of Space Engineers

Both are a sandbox game
Both let you build your own spaceship
Both feature a realistic physics engine

3. Civilization VI - 2016 (Windows, Mac OS, mobile, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation, Xbox)

Trailer - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5KdE0p2joJw&themeRefresh=1

Civilization VI is a well-known turn-based strategy game that can help gamers learn skills related to leadership and decision-making. One of the most important skills it teaches is strategic thinking. Players must lead their civilization through different eras of history making decisions on diplomacy, war and economics to advance their society. This requires them to analyze information and make informed decisions about resource allocation, technology development and military strategy. It makes you weigh the costs and benefits of various actions and predict the potential outcomes of their decisions. It is an excellent game for also teaching leadership skills as players must manage their citizens, build infrastructure and negotiate with other civilizations to achieve their goals.

For fans of Europa Universalis IV

Both are a grand strategy game
Both let you take control of a nation
Both includes combat

4. The Oregon Trail - 1985 (Windows, Mac OS, mobile, Switch)

Trailer - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q623BxXOM0o

The Oregon Trail is a series of classic educational games that makes you lead a wagon train of settlers from Missouri to Oregon in the 19th century facing challenges such as bad weather, disease and hostile Native American tribes. The skills that it teaches are history, geography and resource management. Players must use critical thinking skills to make decisions about how to allocate their resources such as food, water and ammunition to ensure their survival on their journey in the game. To do this, gamers must analyze information and make decisions based on limited resources and challenging conditions. The game encourages players to learn about geography and history as they navigate the terrain and encounter challenges that were faced by pioneers in the 19th century.

For fans of The Yukon Trail

Both simulate the journey of prospectors
Both requires managing resources
Both let you travel the wilderness

5. Assassin’s Creed Odyssey - 2018 (PlayStation, Windows, Xbox, Nintendo Switch)

Trailer - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s_SJZSAtLBA

I don’t think this game needs an introduction because of its popularity but I will give you a brief one if you have somehow been living under a rock. Assassin’s Creed Odyssey is an action-adventure that can help players learn some history and culture. The game requires a lot of critical thinking as you are required to navigate a complex storyline and make decisions that affect the outcome of the game. You are encouraged to learn about history and culture as your character ancient Greece and interact with other characters from that time period. This helps players gain a better understanding of the historical and cultural context of ancient Greece which can be useful in a variety of settings. It makes you use your brain to develop problem-solving skills doing different tasks like fighting enemies or completing puzzles to progress.

For fans of The Witcher 3

Both are an open-world action RPG
Both have a rich story, complex characters and a detailed world to explore
Both have an emphasis on storytelling and player choice

6. CodeCombat - 2018 (Web)

Trailer - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rOXRBQIXvlI

CodeCombat is a unique game that helps you learn about computer science, mainly coding languages like JavaScript, Python, HTML and CoffeeScript. Although it is aimed at ages 9-16 the game can be for everyone with the cute graphics and gameplay. In the game you must use coding skills to control your characters and solve puzzles. This can help you develop important programming concepts such as loops, functions and conditional statements. You must use logic and critical thinking to overcome obstacles and complete levels. This can support your growth mindset and a sense of persistence in the face of challenging problems. Gamers can collaborate in teams to complete levels and share their code with others so let’s hope you’re a good team player!

For fans of Scratch

Both are an online community
Both let you create your own games and animations
Both are designed to draw you in with entertainment

7. SimCity - 1989 (Web, Mobile, Wii, Nintendo Switch, 3DS, Playstation)

Trailer - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SyIRsLoWTgA

Don’t be spooked if you prefer modern-day visuals, the game has had updates since the 1980s which means this has had ages to develop and be the best. SimCity allows you to simulate building a city. It includes controlling urban planning, economics and environmental sustainability. Players must design and build a city which requires analyzing data and making decisions about resource allocation, zoning and infrastructure development. This involves weighing the costs and benefits of various policies and predicting the potential outcomes of decisions. It also makes you think about the cities’ budget, the response to disasters and balancing the needs of citizens.

For fans of Cities: Skylines

Both are city-building games
Both have similar mechanics
Both require resource-management

8. Democracy - 2005 (Web)

Trailer - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JjNTeqvd_qk

Positech games released the first game of the series in 2005, the sequel in 2007, a third game in 2013 and fourth and finally in 2022. The array of games are a political simulation and can help teach a variety of skills related to politics and government. It makes you think about decisions regarding policy and legislation, considering the perspectives of different interest groups and predicting the potential outcomes of their decisions. To do this you have to analyze data and choose what to do based on the current climate. It addresses various political challenges such as crime, unemployment and international relations. You are the leader of your own virtual country and you must manage your cabinet, respond to crises and meet the needs of different political factions.

For fans of Crusader Kings III

Both require managing kingdoms and alliances
Both let you have legacy and power!

9. Foldit - 2008 (Web)

Trailer - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lGYJyur4FUA

This game is a magnet for all the science nerds as it includes biochemistry and protein folding. Players must manipulate 3D structures of proteins, predicting the optimal configurations to minimize the energy needed for folding. This requires you to use logic, spatial reasoning and critical thinking to overcome challenging problems. It lets you work in teams to solve puzzles and share insights with others. This can help develop a sense of teamwork and communication skills that can be useful in hundreds of different ways. Finally Foldit teaches scientific inquiry skills as you are challenged to explore the mysteries of protein folding, developing new hypotheses and testing them using the game.

For fans of Phylo

Both are science-based
Both requires aligning DNA sequences
Both help scientists better understand the genetic code

10. TypingClub - 2011 (Web)

Trailer - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AfIayFXEB7c

Last but not least, TypingClub is a game that can help you learn valuable skills of touch-typing, the no.1 skill for anyone who works with a computer regularly. It teaches this by providing engaging exercises and lessons that gradually build typing speed and accuracy. You must complete the levels multiple times to master each one of them, encouraging your persistence skills. The Typing Club provides instant feedback and statistics on typing speed and accuracy allowing you to track your progress over time. Overall, The typing game is an excellent game for building touch-typing in a fun and engaging way that can be used in schools, work or even personal projects.

For fans of Nitrotype

Both teaches fast-typing skills
Both turns learning into a fun game
Both let you compete against others

In conclusion, video games can be powerful tools for learning real-world skills. From famous games like Minecraft to classic works such as The Oregon Trail, these 10 games are just a few examples of how games can be used to teach skills such as critical thinking, problem-solving and resource management. So the next time you’re looking for a fun way to learn a new skill, consider firing up one of these games and see what you can learn!