Contrary to the oft-repeated mantras of mainstream, "popular opinion," video games are extremely helpful in developing important life skills. They are one of the best ways for children to learn, and they are fun.
Some of the key elements of playing games are exactly the kinds of things that you need to do to succeed as a leader. The goals you pursue and the skills you develop when you play games, including "recruiting allies, focusing on strengths--using power-ups to get stronger, confronting the bad guys rather than hiding from them," help you develop what McGonigal calls a "gameful mindset."
"Rock Man"
"Rock Man" is the Japanese title for the well known Mega Man series of games which debuted on the original Nintendo (Super Famicom here in Japan) back in the 80s.
Since my wife busted out her childhood Famicom a few months ago and began playing games with my son, he has become a nut for video games. A chip off the old block, as they say, or blocks, as both his mother and I were avid "retro gamers" back before said gaming was "retro."
We recently dug out my wife's copy of Mega Man V and started playing it. This series was one of my favorites as a kid, and though I never beat any of the Mega Man games when I was young, I was addicted to the format. With an initial palette of 8 very simply themed bosses (and their respective themed levels) to beat, i.e. "Heat Man," "Toad Man," "Snake Man," etc, the game was addictive.
Well, my son took to it immediately, and I was soon reminded how quickly and naturally children learn when they are truly interested and invested in something. Speaking of which, with my son's enthusiasm I became reinvested, and now we are beating the games left and right, together!
Teaching Pattern.
Upon watching me try to beat the bosses in Mega Man, my son became aware that I kept using the word "pattern."
We just gotta find the pattern, then we can win.
He asked me what I meant and I explained that each boss has a unique pattern of movement that repeats itself depending on how Mega Man moves. Once one understands the patterns of movement, bosses that seemed impossible can be beaten quite easily. All it takes is a little trial and error, some persistence, and some serious hand-eye coordination.
I had to laugh when I first heard my son echo the words I had been so passionately shouting for days prior after getting destroyed by new bosses. I had just been beaten by one of the mini-bosses in Wiley's castle, and yelled "Noooooooooo!" in frustration. Isaiah, my four-year-old-son, who had been running around the room in excitement as I battled, rushed to my side and exclaimed loudly:
Okay! We can do it! I know the pattern!
I love how the game teaches you to use different tools (gained from beating previous bosses) for different applications.
image source.
Persistence.
In order to beat any decently designed video game, one has to go through an almost heartbreaking (gamers out there will know what I mean) learning experience of trial and error. Oh, you made it to the last level, final boss, and are on your last continue? Here you go. Die. GAME OVER
Video games teach kids and adults alike not to give up. Persistence pays off. If you keep putting one foot in front of the other, you are going to get somewhere. I still can remember the feeling of accomplishment I had after beating Final Fantasy X on my own (no help from cheats) after literally months of struggle.
In Mega Man, if you don't understand the enemies, or the bosses, and attempt to avoid them, you will lose lots of health and almost always be bested by them. Trial and error, and not running away from these challenges, but understanding them, is paramount.
Holy shit. That's a lot like real life.
Pride.
I don't mean pride in a boastful way, but in the sense of having a feeling of accomplishment found in setting and achieving one's goals. Playing video games can build self-confidence in a very powerful way! I mean, after all that struggle, how good does this kick-ass, mega victorious scene feel!?
Video of the credits screen after me and Z-bee beat Mega Man V.
Finally, there is the language aspect.
Video games can greatly expand a child's vocabulary. I remember learning the terms "warp zone" and "girders" when playing the original Super Mario Bros. with my dad as a kid.
My son is learning about all kinds of different concepts through our Mega Man gaming exploits. I mean, "Pharaoh Man"? That's just a beautiful invitation to talk about Egypt, history, deserts, etc. He has also become interested in "quicksand."
I am not sure what the "E" power ups in the Mega Man game series are officially called. They look like batteries or canisters to me. I just call them "energy canisters." I had to chuckle a bit inside a few days ago when my little boy mentioned something to me about canisters.
We're now on Mega Man III, working our way backwards through the series. Wish us luck!
(Thanks for stopping by! If you missed my last Unschooling Blog, on Japanese tops, getting involved in my son's learning by learning myself, and 7 years in Japan, you can find it here.)
~KafkA
Graham Smith is a Voluntaryist activist, creator, and peaceful parent residing in Niigata City, Japan. Graham runs the "Voluntary Japan" online initiative with a presence here on Steem, as well as Facebook and Twitter. (Hit me up so I can stop talking about myself in the third person!)
I'm an avid gamer myself, but I actually never thought about the problem solving skills that I've learned over the years. Very good read.
Much love from Germany
Cheers from Japan! Glad to know you.
My son will love you for posting this :)
Maybe that's why I'm so much smarter than my parents, I had megaman! I actually never thought of the specific ways in which games like megaman allow you to practice skills, aside from hand-eye coordination. Thanks for that. I was personally influenced to play music, in part by video games. I went through a prog-rock phase that was extremely Megaman influenced and a new age phase influenced by RPGs like Final Fantasy. FF7 introduced me to Gaia theory, FF9 to parallel reality theories, Xenogears to Gnostic Christianity, Earthbound to psychedelia. Ah! Cool! Keep going with this series, feel free to take any of these if you are into them.
I do some Japanese language posts as well, mostly blogging and JLPT grammar, those posts are more for me than for others but feel free to stop by.
This is awesome to hear. That is one aspect of the game I totally forgot to cover, but which is huge! The music is great. I even remarked to my wife at one point that it is a shame that most probably don't realize how great the soundtracks are, and how much work went into composing them, because of the 8-bit instrumentation palette.
There is a fellow on YouTube who has transcribed all the songs from V to guitar and recorded a metal version of the whole game.
My son loves the tunes as well and sings them all the time.
Looking forward to reading your blog! Followed!
I have heard lots of metal versions of megaman, I think the soundtrack was written with metal in mind.
You don't listen to any chiptune? Actually I think a lot of video game music was inspired by YMO's first two albums.
Not sure what chiptune is, but I do like the 8-bit video game music. I'll check it out. And YMO as well.
Oh man, you are in Japan, no? Sexy Synthesizer was my intro to chiptune, a not very well known Tokyo DJ trio. YMCK is pretty big but all their songs sound the same. I'm gonna do a feature on another guy soon.
Awesome. Lemme know when you do it, if you can. I am indeed in Japan, but not familiar with that scene at all. Sounds awesome.👾👾👾
Here is a cheesy 8-bit cover of a non-8-bit video game song. They do covers and original stuff.
Damn copyright laws, had to delete that.
Great post!
I have always looked at games as a great way of learning (if you don't do it to much and it becomes an addiction).
I first learned how to use a steering wheel correct when loosing grip from videogames, not how to drive like a madman tho 😆
Thanks! I agree. While it's important not to get really addicted to anything, or use games as an escape, they are powerful tools for learning because having fun and playing is learning. I spent hours and hours playing and turned out alright (maybe? :)) Great anecdote about the steering wheel. :)
I tried to make my addiction to Clash Royale work for me. I have a really bad short term memory so I try to memorize all my opponents cards each time I play.
Thanks for this post! My son is homeschooled (unschooling) and LOVES video games which do teach him a ton! He is 9 years old and is working towards creating his own video game. I imagine that when he grows up, he will have a huge ability in tech that his counterparts won't have because their education has been less focused.
Yep. One of the many problems with compulsory/public schooling: "Here! Learn our version of EVERYTHING all at once, connected to nothing in your real life, and then forget it all!"
Thanks for this great comment, and best of luck to your son!
Isn't that the truth!? My son is neurodiverse and he didn't fit into their box so I pulled him out. I believe that life itself presents opportunities for a well rounded education...and so far it's been crazy successful. I certainly went through a time when I thought we would be doing "school at home" but I quickly realized that wouldn't work for him. We've been unschooling ever since.
That is great to hear. Just followed your blog and looking forward to reading more. Cheers.✨
Thanks! I'm looking forward to reading more of yours as well.
by little you get to greatness continue to make good post that you manage to be very great. I'm trying to do the same follow me I'll follow you
Thank you for the text. Followed... True in many senses. My son learned a lot of English when he played Warcraft 2 and Mortal Kombat 3. There is a danger of getting dependent though. Any ideas on how to avoid the only disadvantage? Like, where is the border of learning and getting stuck in front of the scree...?
Hahaha at the Rock Man picture, I am from South Africa and on the NES cassettes we used to get it was called Rock Man.
Only many years later after I got into emulation software and roms I found out about Mega man and was like WTF. The mega man / rock man series was and still is one of my most favourite gaming franchises.