Recently, The Future Now Association held a well-received workshop focused on game development and the ways video games can function as interactive and creative tools for storytelling, emotional expression, and personal growth. The event brought together participants with varying levels of experience, all interested in exploring the potential of games beyond entertainment.
As the workshop progressed, attendees were encouraged to share the skills they felt they had developed through playing video games. This prompted a realization. Although everyone present enjoyed gaming, their tastes were diverse, ranging from action titles to adventures, strategic simulations, and cozy, slow-paced games. Because of these varied interests, each participant’s experience with video games had shaped them in distinct ways.
While some skills overlapped, such as problem-solving and creative thinking, many were unique to the individual. Participants mentioned learning to strategize under pressure, manage resources efficiently, or cope with in-game stress in ways that turned into real-life resilience. Others highlighted how games helped them overcome fears, build persistence, or even refine their negotiation skills during competitive play. This range of outcomes showed the complexity of how interactive media can influence personal development.
The discussion ultimately revealed a broader insight. Although everyone played video games for enjoyment and relaxation, the developmental benefits they gained were far from identical. Shared interests occasionally emerged, and certain games appeared multiple times in conversation, yet the players themselves remained highly different from one another.
This observation points out a simple but often overlooked truth: people cannot be expected to think, learn, or evolve in the same way. Even when individuals engage in similar activities or walk comparable paths, their journeys diverge in countless subtle ways. What one person takes from an experience may be completely different from what someone else discovers.