While there are some games out there that don’t really rely on any level of skill or reactions, there are also some games that undeniably have a skill level to them. Can these skills transcend esports and potentially help with other areas or are they just confined to the games where they originate?
There is a school of thought that many of the skills honed through competitive play can be surprisingly useful in other areas – ranging from strategic thinking in casino games to fast decision-making in high-pressure environments.
One of the most valuable skills developed in gaming and esports is strategic thinking. Many competitive games like real-time strategy titles and battle royales require players to assess situations and make calculated moves to gain an advantage. This type of thinking mirrors the mindset needed for games like poker and blackjack where decision-making plays a crucial role in success.
A lot of online casino games have an element of strategy (others are just luck). Poker players must read opponents and anticipate their strategies based on incomplete information. Esports players who are used to analyzing patterns such as predicting enemy behavior, and adjusting their gameplay accordingly may find these skills highly transferable.
In another classic online casino game of blackjack, things like understanding probabilities, knowing when to hit or stand, and managing risk are essential. Just like in competitive gaming, a deep understanding of mechanics and adapting to changing conditions can make a difference. An element of luck is always needed.
There are scenarios where luck takes over and nobody knows how things will pan out. The video below shows that sometimes strategies that might not be best-advised can still yield success as the game has random outcomes:
Fast reaction times are critical in many gaming genres and can make a difference when it comes to executing a perfectly timed headshot in a first-person shooter or dodging an attack. Esports players develop rapid reflexes and the ability to process information quickly. This skill can be advantageous in various fields and helps people to react fast when they need to in life.
A trader working in the stock market or similar must quickly react to sudden shifts in market conditions. The ability to make rapid but well-informed decisions can mean the difference between profit and loss.
The muscle memory and hand-eye coordination developed through gaming can provide an unexpected advantage in some other demanding fields. Players know that hand-eye coordination plays a massive part and there are even complex sensitivity controls in games including CS2 for players to choose the method that suits them and adjust to their own reaction times.
Multiplayer games require effective communication and coordination. Players must work together and execute plans with precision. Whether it's calling out enemy positions in a shooter or coordinating abilities in a strategy game, teamwork is often the key to victory. If we look at the rankings of certain teams at the top, then we will see that there are patterns – most tend to be able to compete regularly at the top level as their members share teamwork abilities.
This mindset translates well into many real-world professions. Business environments require strong communication skills that can be honed in other areas. Teams that work well together and communicate clearly are often more efficient and successful. Competitive gamers who have spent years practicing these skills may find themselves naturally adept at working in team settings outside of gaming.
Gamers often develop strong technological skills simply by engaging with gaming and online communities. Many esports players become great at using streaming platforms while also customizing gaming setups and troubleshooting technical issues. These skills can open doors in careers related to IT.
Additionally, gaming requires multitasking as they need to monitor multiple elements on-screen. They also need to keep track of opponents and manage in-game resources all at once. This ability to juggle multiple tasks efficiently is an asset in many jobs and lots of studies have shown that the skills can be built up through playing games.
The next time that you think gaming is just a way to let off some steam or relax and entertain yourself, ask yourself if it is improving skills.
It is possible that there are some other benefits to these games besides just being fun. They may even make people better at other tasks throughout their lives.
