So you know why games exist? What exactly are they for? Well it is more than just simple entertainment value, that is a given. So let me explain.
Games: A game is something that makes us think. It jogs our brain to help exercise it in different ways to aid us in every day activities and builds our ability to think on the fly. Thus, why the game "Brain Games" and its series of small puzzles were created. They are meant to exercises your brain. Modern games are typically like most children's games, they (from my perspective) are meant to entertain and help develop and maintain critical thinking skills. Angry Birds, the original Mario games, and more continue to give us entertainment while teaching us timing and develop our ability to make simple choices. Other smart phone app games do similar with puzzles and activities. All are designed to help us learn in a fun way.
Games of higher education: I am not saying that some games are superior to others, but the games I list here are for those who want more than just mental (or meaningless) brain exercise. Games like chess, checkers, risk and GO serve to aid the battlefield commanders in the theater of war. Those in the business world use these same games to take on rivals and close business deals. These are strategy games that serve the purpose of teaching and fostering strategic thinking on multiple levels. Modern takes on these games are things like Blizzard companies Star Craft, and the strategy version of World of War Craft. In these more modern versions which seem to be a computerized version of the game Allies and Axis's (though simpler) you gather resources, build up your forces and move on the enemy with various strategies in order to conquer the map.
Monopoly is another game that is on the higher end of the thinking scale. It teaches the values of the free market and teaches people on how to make business decisions. Scrabble and its variants/spin offs teach vocabulary and expand your knowledge of the written and spoken word. So, games that do not function in the realm of war can and will be used to support and aid us. Two such new games that I am looking into are "We the people fight tyranny” which focuses on teaching the constitution, and defining acts of tyranny, and "Historical Conquest" a card game that lets you battle with historical figures while using flavor text to teach and inspire children and their parents to learn about history. So games can and will remain an important learning tool.
Conclusion: Games act as a support system to our culture. Their continued development and use help us think, learn and develop into better more knowledgeable and intelligent people. So next time you think that games are just for little children, think hard on what is being taught by that game. Then maybe, just maybe you will decide it is worth playing despite your age.
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