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Become a better you
It doesn't matter who you are--everyone has room for some kind of improvement. And while video games have a reputation for bringing out the worst in people, I say that's total nonsense. We've written articles before about how science proves that games are good your your brain, but there's more to self improvement than synapses.
They teach you the importance of teamwork
Anyone whos played an online team-based shooter knows the deal. The lone wolf that goes out on their own is often the one who keeps the team from victory. I cant count how many times my friends and I would perform well in a Call of Duty match, only to be submarined by some random, silent jerk we got stuck with.
You learn to deal with harsh consequences (without actually having to deal with them)
Youre stuck in the middle of an attack on your safe house, and two of your friends are in serious trouble. Unfortunately, you only have enough time to save one of them, sentencing the other to instant death. What do you do? Games present us with choices like this all the time, and those choices have real consequences for the rest of the game consequences well have to accept and deal with.
They give you exposure to different cultures, along with their myths and legends
No matter where you come from, you probably know more about your place of birth than anywhere else. That makes sense, but Id argue that you might not be as out-of-touch with the rest of the world as you may think. Remember how Looney Tunes exposed you to a bunch of classical music you wouldnt have cared to seek out otherwise? Video games are filled with cultural references too, some completely obvious, others not as in-your-face.
They'll help you gain a varied appreciation of music
I cant speak for those who read this, but Im convinced that without game music, my iPod would be filled with the Beatles, Metallica, and WWE wrestler entrances. Video games continue to give me a whole new perception of all kinds of music, and I know Im not alone: how many of you were happy to ignore The Beach Boys until BioShock Infinite gave the pop icons the barbershop treatment? Also, I wouldnt even know who DeVotchKa is if not for the Gears of War 2 commercial with How It Ends, but thats just me.
They can help you with health and fitness
Theres a reason Wii Fit U, EA Sports Active, and Xbox Fitness exist--and why Nintendo has mentioned they're pursuing some kind of "quality of life device" in the future: the world is concerned about health. Your life depends on it, after all, and games have always been a scapegoat for child obesity and unhealthy living habits. However, games have done a decent job at alleviating those old stereotypes, with exercise games at the forefront (and a recent study says that literally any game time can help kids stay healthier).
They focus on the benefits of camaraderie and friendship
Video games, even the single player ones, can be a social tool. I distinctly remember running into school the next day to talk about the big scene in Final Fantasy 7, or to talk about what class I preferred in Tactics Ogre. I recall many a time spending a night at a friends house and staying up to ungodly hours duking it out in Street Fighter, Tekken, or Soul Blade on PS1.
You can learn relationship building skills
Games like Mass Effect and Dragon Age have us talking to our party mates about all sorts of things: the missions, the world, life itself, etc. However, in some instances, the more we talk to certain characters, the more we start to build a relationship with them; one that, if we play our cards right, can blossom into a full-on (video game) romance capped off by an awkward love-making scene or something.
They help with stress management
I'll be honest: Ive wanted to throw my controller at the television and scream to high heaven many times. That one boss, that one jump, that one obstacle that kept me from reaching my goal quickly became the bane of my existence, the single worst thing to ever exist, and it had to be conquered before I could go on living a sane life.
They can help you learn time management
The time management skills video games can bestow upon us are two-fold: first, the obvious beat the timer tasks that many games put onto us. I dont want that clock to show all zeroes before I complete the task, so Im going to do my damnedest to make sure I complete in the most time-efficient way possible. Dead Rising is particularly good for this, stretching the time limit over three in-game days and adding time-specific events. These teachings can be turned into real-world skills, according to many smart folks.
You can learn better organizational skills
Look in the room around you and take it all in. Id wager that those among you who dont dabble in RPGs with tons of inventory to collect and limited space to hold it are sporting a lot more organization in your real-life belongings than those of us who dont have to worry about keeping a space open for epic loot. Im not the biggest RPG guy, so my office has seen better days: I have one of those RadioShack electric pianos in the dead center of the room, simply because theres nowhere else to put it, and hell if its going anywhere else anytime soon.
Be the best you can be!
See? Playing video games can be an enriching experience for more than just the normal reasons. By following the lessons some games teach, you can become a better all-around person to your friends and peers, which can only mean good things. Video games are in your DNA, so you might as well take all you can from them.
