“Video games are good because in order to succeed one must solve problems. The problems to solve are as widely varied as the videos are fun. In other words, every bit of fun in them represents a new problem to solve.”
– Stephen T.
From the archives: Posted on 8th December 1998
Video games are good because in order to succeed one must solve problems. The problems to solve are as widely varied as the videos are fun. In other words, every bit of fun in them represents a new problem to solve. Since learning is subject specific, one needs different knowledge to learn different types of things. So video games provide a wide variety of opportunity to learn how to learn. Many of the problems we face in the rest of the world are utilized in video games. Let me give you an example.
I have this problem that crops up fairly regularly. When faced with a problem needing an immediate decision, I “panic” and do dumb things. I have this same problem with video games. I’ll be using the running and jumping buttons, all of a sudden a tiger jumps out and it’s all over for me. I’m dead. I know where the gun buttons are, but I usually hit the wrong button and plummet to my death or something. I get the same feeling I always get in such circumstances. I haven’t played video games much yet, but I know that solving this problem there will help me understand how to solve it elsewhere (partly), and without the usual downsides. I intend to do this.
See also:
Stephen T., 1998, ‘Why video games are GOOD’, https://takingchildrenseriously.com/why-video-games-are-good