Gaming: Just an excuse
When people think about gaming, they usually see it as a way to pass the time or relax after a long day. I used to think that too, but over the years I've realised that games have taught me a lot more than I expected. They have changed the way I solve problems, work with others, and deal with challenges.
One of the biggest lessons gaming has taught me is that it's okay to fail. Most games aren't easy, and you probably won't beat a difficult level or win every match on your first try. Instead of giving up, you figure out what went wrong and try a different approach. I started noticing that I do the same thing with school. If I struggle with a subject or don't get the marks I wanted, I remind myself that improving takes time and practice.
As a private person, I do not interact much outside of my community, but in multiplayer games, everyone has a role to play. If one person doesn't communicate or work with the team, it usually affects everyone. Playing with others has taught me how important communication and teamwork are. Those same skills come in handy during group projects and other activities at school.
Some of my favourite memories from gaming aren't even about winning. They're about spending time with friends or playing games with my siblings. My nine-year-old sister loves playing Dress to Impress on Roblox, and whenever she loses, she starts rage-baiting everyone else. It always makes me laugh, and moments like those end up being more memorable than the game itself. Even if we aren't doing anything important, it's still quality time together.
I've caught myself wondering how online games connect players from around the world, how developers create huge game worlds, or how they stop people from cheating. I never expected games to make me interested in technology, but they definitely made me ask more questions.
Of course, gaming shouldn't take over your life. School, family, and other responsibilities should always come first. But I don't think it's fair to say gaming is just a waste of time. Like any hobby, it depends on how you use it.
For example, I've spent a lot of time playing Dress to Impress, and it actually helped me become more confident with styling and colour combinations in real life. I was also a huge fan of Uncharted on the PlayStation 4. The scenery was so beautiful that it made exploring just as enjoyable as completing the missions. Call of Duty was another favourite because it introduced me to different historical and modern conflicts, which made me curious enough to read more about them outside of the game.
It has taught me lessons I'll probably keep using for years. What stands out to me the most isn't that we spent those afternoons playing during the summer. It's that something as simple as a game was enough to bring us together. Whether we were laughing because my little sister was convinced everyone was against her in Dress to Impress or just spending time in the same room, those moments happened because we had something we all enjoyed. It made me realise that people don't always need big events to connect. Sometimes all it takes is a game, a bit of free time, and someone to play with.