Tech

Six life lessons learned from video games

I might not have noticed it at the time, but looking back, video games have had a big impact on my life.

Games are no longer just games anymore. They can be deep, immense stories that can pull at all your emotions. They can connect you to people from all across the globe, making everyone forget the differences we all hold.

More importantly than all that, video games can teach you some important life lessons which you will hold onto forever.

1. Being a team player — Battlefield/Counter Strike

When I was younger, I always wanted to be the best, to shine above everyone else and would often try to make myself look good before getting the teams job done. But that’s not how life works. When you’re in a team, sometimes you have to take the supporting role and let the team’s star do their thing. First-person shooter games, where you work in groups, trying to rush ahead to be the hero can end up in a splattered case of game over. Knowing your role is key to reaching those goals quicker (and less messy) as a team.

2. There’s a big world out there to explore — Grand Theft Auto

While Grand Theft Auto might be known more for its car jackings and police chases than genuine exploring, it can open your eyes to exploring the world around you. GTA V does this best. You can hang glide, scuba dive or just play a game of tennis. Sure, it’s fun in the game, but all that stuff is out there in the real world for you to do as well.

3. Don’t help someone who can’t be bothered helping themself — Various games

The typical escort mission in video games where you need to get a target to safety can be a horrible experience, usually because the VIP you’re escorting is a generally useless human who gets you both killed. Just like in life, I found not to bother trying to help someone who won’t lift a finger to help themselves.

Luigi takes to the air in a scene from “Mario Kart 8.”AP
4. Nothing worth doing is easy — Just about every game, ever

Whether you lost count the amount of times it took you to beat the third gym in Pokemon Silver or it took 43 attempts to beat General Raam in Gears of War, you eventually did it. So next time something hard comes up in real life, think back to your video game self and keep at it, you will eventually get there and the reward will be more than worth it.

5. Life is going to throw some curve balls — Mario Kart

I don’t exactly have all that much life experience, but a few curve balls have still certainly come my way, knocking me down when I felt like everything was great. Just like when you think you’ve got the race in the bag on Mario Kart when — bam — a blue shell strikes you and steals your lead. The only thing you can do is get right back up and racing again, and that’s the same with life.

6. The right thing to do might not make you happy, but it’s the right thing to do. — Metal Gear Solid 3

It might not give you great fanfare and will often cause suffering on your behalf. But if something is the right thing to do, it’s the right thing to do. Just like sacrificing yourself for the good of others.