Video games: entertainment and learning

Video games have become an important part of modern entertainment, especially for children and young people, but describing them only as a way to have fun gives an incomplete picture. Games can contain stories, rules, puzzles, simulations, competitive systems, creative tools, social interaction, exploration, strategic decisions, and complex virtual environments in which players constantly receive information and respond to changing situations. Some games require fast reactions, while others reward patience and long-term planning. Some are designed around cooperation between several players, while others encourage individual exploration. …