For decades, video games have been written off as distractions, often criticised for keeping kids indoors and creating escapist distractions for adults. But today, research and real-life examples are flipping that narrative, revealing video games as platforms for skill development and even job training.
Consider the story of Gran Turismo—not just the popular PlayStation game but also the new movie inspired by it. Gran Turismo tells the true story of Jann Mardenborough, a British gamer who beat over 90,000 players in the 2011 GT Academy competition to become a professional race car driver.
The film, starring Archie Madekwe as Mardenborough alongside Orlando Bloom and David Harbour, dramatises his incredible journey from simulator to track. For most of us, video games are the closest we’ll get to being a champion racer like Jeff Gordon or Max Verstappen. But Mardenborough’s path shows that gaming can lay the groundwork for real-world success.
Many video games involve complex strategy, resource management, and quick decision-making. In games like Civilisation, players analyse intricate situations, prioritise tasks, and make critical decisions—just as one would in managing a project or making strategic business decisions. Similarly, Mardenborough honed his racing instincts in the virtual world before transferring those skills to real tracks. These kinds of experiences can help gamers develop transferable competencies that are highly valuable in professional environments.
The rise of multiplayer games has emphasised communication and teamwork, especially in games like Overwatch and League of Legends. In these games, players coordinate, distribute roles, and manage high-stakes situations, just as they would on collaborative work projects. Like the support team that guided Mardenborough from simulation to real-world racing, players learn to trust and rely on each other, building skills that are essential in team-based workplaces.
Games create a safe environment for failure. Players in competitive games, especially racing simulators like Gran Turismo, analyse what went wrong after each attempt to improve their strategy. This iterative process builds a growth mindset that’s sought-after in the workplace, where constructive feedback is essential to success. Gamers accustomed to learning from failures are often more resilient and open to improvement.
As the job market evolves, tech-savviness is crucial. Gamers develop comfort with complex interfaces, new technologies, and digital tools through gaming. For Mardenborough, his early expertise with the racing simulator smoothed his transition into the advanced technology of real-life racing. The same digital fluency can give gamers an advantage in jobs that require navigating sophisticated software and digital tools.
For careers requiring precision, like engineering or surgery, video games provide a foundation for developing spatial awareness and motor skills. For Mardenborough, simulator training built essential hand-eye coordination and spatial awareness. Many gamers develop similar skills that translate to fields where precision is paramount, giving them a head start.
In online games, players interact with people from different cultures, building global awareness. This cultural exchange, a key asset in globalised workplaces, helps gamers become more empathetic and adaptable. Whether racing against international competitors or teaming up with players worldwide, gamers gain cultural insights that serve them well in global roles.
Video games can build a skill set that translates into success across a range of fields. So, next time you pick up a controller, remember: you could be preparing for your next career move.
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