What Games Teach Us
Why gaming isn’t just play—it’s preparation for life.
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The Four Greatest Lessons I’ve Learned From Games
Games have always been more than just entertainment. At their core, they are learning engines—interactive systems that challenge us to make decisions, adapt strategies, and grow through experience. Whether you’re trying to outmaneuver an opponent, optimize a resource engine, or build a team that works together under pressure, games mirror real-world challenges in a way that’s designed to be fun.
Over the years, I’ve come to see games as some of the best teachers out there—which might explain why some of the best teachers use games as tools for learning. Games offer structure, immediate feedback, and the freedom to experiment, all without the real-world risks. And after more than 25 years as a professional game designer and competitive player, I’ve realized that the most meaningful lessons I’ve learned didn’t come from textbooks or lectures, but from cards, boards, and dice.
Here are the four most powerful lessons I’ve learned through gaming:
1. Take Ownership
One of the first lessons I learned competing on the Magic: The Gathering Pro Tour was this: blaming luck won’t make you better. Sure, I could tell endless stories about getting unlucky draws and heartbreaking losses. But the real growth happened when I asked a better question: What could I have done differently?
Great players—like great leaders—take responsibility. They focus on the choices within their control. That mindset is empowering. It transforms failure from something to avoid into a feedback loop for improvement. Whether you're misplaying a card or navigating a career setback, the principle holds: Own your decisions, and you own your growth.
For more on luck versus persistence, adaptability and preparation
check out this episode with RPG designer, James Introcaso.
2. Put in the Work
There’s no shortcut to mastery. In 1997, I won the U.S. National Championships in Magic, but the very next event I failed to deliver for my team at Worlds. It took me six long years to claw my way back—six years of practice, failure, and iteration. When I returned to the world stage in 2003, I wasn’t taking any chances. I flew in teammates for testing, ran drills, and poured every ounce of effort into preparation. That year, we brought the title home.
Games reward effort—and so does life. Talent can give you a head start, but mastery comes from showing up consistently, working hard, and learning with intention.
3. Set Clear, Measurable Goals
Games are brilliant at this. They give us objectives, rules, and real-time feedback. You always know if you’re progressing. Life, on the other hand, is often vague. Goals like “Be successful” or “Be happy” are aspirational—but hard to act on.
Gamifying your life can make all the difference. Break big goals into concrete steps. Instead of “Get in shape,” aim for “Reach 15% body fat by December.” Add systems and rewards—like exercising three times a week and earning a new game when you hit your targets.
Clarity fuels motivation. It’s easier to take action when you know exactly what you’re aiming for and how to track your progress.
4. Enjoy the Process
It sounds cliché, but it’s true: It’s not just about winning. Some of my fondest memories come not from the trophies, but from the people I played with, the stories we created, and the shared moments of tension and triumph.
Goals are important, but they’re not everything. If you’re not enjoying the daily grind—the deckbuilding, the testing, the playful banter—you’re missing the point. The same goes for life. Wins feel hollow if you don’t savor the path that got you there.
Play to win, but don’t forget to play.
In Short: Take responsibility. Work hard. Set clear goals. Enjoy the ride.
Whether you’re designing games, playing them, or just trying to level up your life—remember that the lessons you learn at the table can transform how you approach the world beyond the game.
For more on learning to love the grind, check out this previous article.
Thank you, Justin! These four steps are simple but not easy. They are essential for any learning journey. Game designers are leading the effort to reimagine the possibilities of how we can experience learning and teaching.