It’s strange to think about now, but it wasn’t all that long ago when games were viewed as little more than just pastimes. But today, that’s all changed. Even the most basic games are viewed through a positive lens, especially if there’s a multiplayer aspect since it’s recognized that games can play a vital role in helping players to get their fill of socialization.
And then there are some games that offer benefits that are out-and-out surprising. In this post, we’re going to take a look at a few titles that offer advantages that extend far beyond mere entertainment. Let’s get stuck in.
Microsoft Flight Simulator: Learning to Fly
Microsoft Flight Simulator was a revelation when it came out. It appealed to a wide section of computer users, even those who had little interest in aviation. There was something captivating about piloting a virtual plane through virtual scenery.
And here’s the amazing thing about that game: it really does help teach people how to fly. Those virtual cockpits bear a strong resemblance to real-world cockpits, and even the flying conditions are close to what you’d find in real life. While you couldn’t simply play Microsoft Flight Simulator then step into a real plane and expect to take off, you’ll find that the flying learning curve isn’t quite as steep as it would be if you’d never played the game.
Poker: Concentration and Decision-Making
Poker has been around for more than two hundred years and remains more popular than ever. An estimated 100 million people play it across the globe in both real-world and online casinos.
If you’re interested in learning how to play, you’ll be picking a game that improves concentration, enhances risk analysis, and boosts critical thinking skills. And when you look at the game more closely, it’s easy to see why it offers these benefits. The poker rules can be learned online within thirty minutes or so, but mastering the game can take years. A complex game, most top-tier players dedicate significant time to studying it — indeed, in the early days, it can be around 80% studying, 20% playing. But players that do that don’t just benefit from improved poker performance; they also benefit from improved cognitive skills that can make a difference in other aspects of their lives.
Bridge: Improving Both Sides of Your Brain
Bridge is a highly popular game, but mostly in a niche way. The vast majority of people have no idea how to play the game, which makes complete sense since this is one of the hardest games on the planet. It’s really only second to chess in complexity.
It can be worthwhile learning how to play, however. For one thing, it’s majorly social — learn how to play bridge, and you’ll never lack social opportunity. Plus, you’ll also benefit from some pretty potent advantages. Bridge exercises both sides of your brain, helping to boost your math skills, memory, logic, and even your understanding of psychology. The only downside is that you’ll need to wait a few months before those benefits start to kick in. As we said, this is a complex game, and it’ll take that long for you to know what you’re doing.
StarCraft II: Making You Smarter
StarCraft II is one of the best games ever to be released, for a number of reasons that don’t include making players smarter. That’s just a bonus, but it’s a real one. Studies have shown that this game helps to improve multitasking abilities and brain agility. If you’ve ever played the game, you’ll know that your outcome depends on your decision-making skills, too, so it’s no wonder that they’re also given a boost. Plus, the overall difficulty of the game — and other challenging games, such as Elden Ring — teaches gamers about the power of resilience. You might not succeed at the first time of asking, but if you keep going, then you’ll get there eventually!
