11 Lessons Learned from Playing Video Games

Video games are often seen as just a way to pass the time, but if you look closer, they're packed with valuable life lessons. From mastering tricky challenges to working with others, here are 11 things I've learned from my gaming adventures:

1. Patience is a Virtue (and a Necessity)

Ever tried to beat a super tough boss in Dark Souls or Elden Ring, or clear a notoriously hard level in the classic Super Mario Bros.: The Lost Levels? You know instant success is rare. Video games teach you to keep trying, even after many failures. Each try is a chance to learn enemy patterns or improve your jumps and timings. This patience translates directly to real life: big goals rarely happen overnight, and sticking with it through setbacks is key to success.

2. Failure Isn't Final – It's Feedback

In games like Celeste or Hollow Knight, you'll die countless times. But each death isn't the end; it's an opportunity to learn what went wrong. Did you jump too early? Miss an attack cue? Games encourage you to analyze your mistakes and adjust your strategy. This mindset is vital for personal growth: view failures not as roadblocks, but as chances to gather information and improve. Don't flip your desk right away. Analyze and try again.

3. Resource Management is Crucial

Whether it's managing your gold and inventory in The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim or carefully rationing your ammo in Resident Evil, successful gaming often hinges on smart resource management. You learn to prioritize what to spend your skill points on, make tough choices, and understand that everything has a cost. This skill is incredibly useful in managing your time, money, assets and energy in the real world.

4. Adaptability Wins the Day

A strategy that worked perfectly in one situation might fail miserably in the next. Games like StarCraft II or XCOM 2 constantly force you to adapt your plans on the fly. Unexpected enemy movements or sudden plot twists demand quick thinking and flexibility. Life throws curveballs too, and the ability to pivot and adjust is a superpower.

5. Teamwork Makes the Dream Work

Many of the most rewarding gaming experiences come from working with others. In games like Overwatch or Destiny 2, coordinating with teammates, communicating effectively, and understanding each other's roles are essential for victory. These experiences highlight the power of collaboration and how much more you can achieve when you work together. There will be many challenges in life where you cannot face alone and only through collaboration can you make it through.

6. Every Problem Has a Solution

Sometimes a puzzle in Portal 2 or a tricky combat encounter in The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild seems impossible. But games are designed to be solvable. They teach you to break down complex problems, think creatively, and explore different angles until you find an answer that works. This fosters a resilient approach to challenges in everyday life.

Remember to pause and think: there’s always a way to overcome your current real-life challenge.

7. The Importance of Small Victories

In massive open-world games or long role-playing adventures like The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt, it's easy to get overwhelmed by the sheer scale of the quest. But games teach you to appreciate and celebrate the smaller achievements along the way – completing a side quest, finding a rare item, or defeating a mini-boss. It is all experience (and XP points) that is helpful for our mission. It is a reminder for us to acknowledge our progress, no matter how small, on the path to bigger goals.

8. Understanding Different Perspectives

Multiplayer games especially, but even single-player games with rich stories, often expose you to different viewpoints and motivations. In a game like Undertale, the choices you make can drastically change the outcome and reveal the perspectives of various characters. This can build empathy and help you understand that there's more than one way to see a situation.

9. Learning from Mentors and Guides

In many RPGs, you encounter non-player characters (NPCs) who offer advice, training, or quests that guide your journey. Think of the wise old sages in Final Fantasy games or the various quest-givers in World of Warcraft or the various mentors in Kingdom Come 2. They highlight the value of seeking knowledge from those more experienced and being open to guidance. We do not know everything and must seek ways to broaden our knowledge and skills.

10. Persistence Pays Off

Grinding for levels or rare loot in games like Diablo IV can be repetitive, but the reward often makes the effort worthwhile. This teaches you that consistent effort, even when it feels tedious, can lead to significant breakthroughs and achievements.

11. Enjoy the Journey

While beating a game is often the ultimate goal, a truly great game, like Red Dead Redemption 2, reminds you to savor the experience itself – the exploration, the characters, the story. It’s a powerful lesson to apply to life: while having goals is good, don't forget to enjoy the process and the moments along the way.

What's a lesson you've learned from playing video games that has stuck with you?