Can Video Gaming Help Solve Real Life Problems?

 After being generalized as addictive and having predominantly negative side-effects, the opinion on video gaming has matured over time. Over the past decades, experts and people in general have acknowledged certain positive aspects linked with the space. As an activity associated with the younger demographics, it has become an established tool for habit building, problem solving and cognitive - skill development. With this outlook in mind one can argue that video gaming contributes to increased awareness and sensitivity. Thus, they can enable change via fostering characteristics like being spontaneous, reflexive and alert from a young age.  

Although this stands true, it is massively dependent on the nature the industry functions on, the responsibility the creators uphold and the intent behind the games. These games are on one hand, reinforcing the present stereotypes and on the other breaching the barriers of the current entrenched ideologies. Holding the power of instant gratification and enhanced interaction a video game today can shape ideas and define mindsets. If the industry limits itself to the propagation of ideas like violence and aggression, then we will have lost its currently untapped potential.

As famous saying reads that we can take the horse to the river but can't force water down its throat. This is a huge obstacle in realizing the objectives of textbook based education. In this context, video gaming has an opportunity to crack through the seeps and enable real life action. If these games can drive people to roam around roads to collect Pokémon’s, then I believe we can also motivate them to plant a tree, save water and take to the streets to solve real life problems, through the same medium.

If we can study and identify what makes video games so addictive and appealing, and apply them in real life settings, it can be an expressway to success. Video games instill in people a hunger to achieve time based tangible goals and become go- getters, which is key to solve real life problems. Stress issues are huge concerns today, the role of video gaming as a stress buster can help today’s minds focus on and crack the real problems.