VIRTUAL SURVIVAL
You’ll rot your brain! That’s a waste of time. Can’t you find something better to do? If you ever played video games as a kid, you may have heard statements like these from parents or other adults who saw no value in that particular pastime. Admittedly, many games are intended solely as a source of entertainment — expertise at rescuing the Mushroom Kingdom’s princess doesn’t translate well to the real world. However, assuming that we can’t learn anything worthwhile from video games is as shortsighted as saying the same about movies, television, or books. In fact, the interactive nature of this medium can be an extremely valuable training tool, as we’ve seen from the widespread use of simulators in various technical fields.
As survivalists, we should consider all possible avenues to strengthen our minds and learn new skills. Video games can offer opportunities for both. Just as a survival-oriented novel or film — or our own What If? column — can leave you contemplating how you’d approach a disaster scenario, survival games can help us become more adept at planning, problem-solving, and organization. You might also see a tool or technique you hadn’t considered before, resulting in motivation to study it later, or hone your ability to communicate under pressure during a multiplayer session. You could even utilize video games as a form of confined-environment recreation if you’re locked-down and going a little stir crazy — think 10 Cloverfield Lane.
