5 Reasons to Consider Using Commercial Video Games for Learning

Video games can provide valuable learning experiences, giving players a change to practice skills, learn from failure, and try again. That’s why the early discussions about game-based learning at Saskatchewan Polytechnic, didn’t debate if games could work for our courses. We knew they could be a fit. Instead, our planning centered around a more tactical question: Did we need to develop custom games, or could we leverage existing ones?

This highlights one of the significant barriers to using video games as learning tools—not everyone can make games from scratch. Whether an issue of time or budget, custom-built games just aren’t feasible for some projects and organizations.

In the end, Saskatchewan Polytechnic made the choice to use commercial off-the-shelf games. Since then, I’ve used Portal 2 and PlateUp to teach communication skills to students from a variety of different programs. From pilots to nurses, I’ve received consistently positive feedback on this approach from instructors and (more importantly) students. That experience is just one of many reasons why I think commercial off-the-shelf games are excellent tools for learning—and are sometimes even better options for learning than purpose built “serious” games

There are five key reasons why I think they can be such effective learning tools.

1. They’re great for practicing skills like critical thinking, problem solving, and creativity.

Even games designed strictly for fun often depend on players flexing their critical thinking skills. For example, in Portal 2, players need to navigate from one room to the next solving increasingly difficult puzzles using only a portal gun and their knowledge of the in-game physics. In the early stages, players need to use critical thinking and problem solving to figure out which sequence they need to follow to navigate through the rooms. As the player progresses through the game, they also start to rely on their creativity, timing, and ability to prioritize.

If your goal is to help people strengthen these kinds of critical skills, you don’t necessarily need a custom game. Instead, look for commercial video games that also rely on those skills for success. By combining existing games with a thoughtful introduction and debrief that give more context for the lessons learned, you can provide the same kind of practice in a cost-effective way.

2. They’re cheaper than designing a custom game.

The average cost of developing a game these days can range anywhere from $10,000 to $500 million from the AAA game studios. Even on the low end, this can be a significant barrier. The cost per player for using a commercial off-the-shelf game is substantially less expensive, with prices ranging from the high two digits to completely free. This makes game-based learning far more feasible for organizations.

3. They’re quicker to implement.

Then there’s the time commitment. Developing a custom game may take months or even years. Using existing off-the-shelf games, though, means you can immediately access them and start leveraging them in your learning programs right away.

4. They’re often designed to appeal to a wide audience.

Because game development companies typically want strong sales, many make their games appealing to as many players as possible. This can come in the form of customization options, personalization options, multiple game modes, season passes, and more. By offering different features to hook different kinds of players, commercial off-the-shelf games often have multiple ways to get people engaged. That can lead to a game-based learning project that lands well with most of your learners.

5. They’re easy to access.

A byproduct of big developers trying to appeal to a wide range of customers is that many games are readily available on multiple platforms. So, there’s a good chance you can use the technology you have rather than having to purchase specialized new equipment to run your game on.

Commercial off-the-shelf games offer a cost-effective, accessible, and effective way to teach and practice essential skills. The engaging nature, adaptability, availability, and familiarity of games make them powerful tools for learners across disciplines. From pilots learning communication techniques to nurses practicing teamwork, the positive feedback from students and instructors alike at Saskatchewan Polytechnic highlights the potential of this concept. And by leveraging existing games instead of developing them from scratch, you can overcome the barriers of time, cost, and development, bringing innovative and effective learning experiences to your organization.