A high school junior sits in his room playing video games while talking through a headset, texting on his cell phone, and conversing with a visitor. He is ranked as one of the best players at “Gears of War 2.” To him the game isn’t about killing, it is about succeeding. According to him, the game teaches him to think on his feet, and this statement has caught the attention of Microsoft, the makers of the Xbox 360.

Microsoft is studying whether video games can teach or promote learning skills that can carry over to academics. Microsoft would love to find out what makes the game so great if it’s not about violence. Ideally, they would like to make games that aren’t as violent but still are fun and can enhance certain learning skills. So, Microsoft has started The Games for Learning Institute with 1.5 million dollars. This step brings both credibility and money to this type of research. However, most studies have not focused on shooters, but rather educational games.

Recently, a study was conducted at our school by my girlfriend to compare grade point average and time spent playing video games per week. She hypothesized that the more time students spent playing video games the lower their grade point average would be. After conducting the study she was surprised to see that while the correlation was somewhat weak, people who played video games 8+ hours a week appeared to have higher grade point averages. I probably play video games at least 8 hours a week most weeks and I have held an “A” average throughout my high school career. Personally, I believe that most games have some sort of educational value and stimulate the brain.

As a gamer, the fact that shooters can promote learning skills is not surprising. To a person outside the world of gaming, some games might look like they have very little educational value. However, a gamer knows that sometimes even the most apparently simple videogames (like shooters) can take strategy, tactics, reflexes, and a great deal of thinking. Obviously, this will stimulate the brain, and those skills can be brought over into other areas of a person’s life, whether it involves school, athletics, or other hobbies and activities. Granted, games are probably less educational than doing your homework, and most don’t promote exercise. However, even that is turning around with games like Wii Fit and similar titles. Videogames are no substitute for going to school, getting some fresh air, and playing with friends, but it is hard to deny that videogames aren’t playing a substantial role in multiple aspects of the lives of our generation.