Is Minecraft Good for Your Brain? Balancing Fun and Learning

Hey! Are you fond of computer games? Then I’m sure, you know about Minecraft and of course, played it many times. I have noticed some people around me who seem to be so obsessed with it. But have you ever wondered why it is so? Also, is this game good for the brain?

I believe the obvious reason people like it so much is that it brings them together on various levels like computer games and LEGOs and livestreams. The second reason is that the Minecraft game is a type of sandbox game, implying that there is practically no ending. So, you play it endlessly as there are no fixed goals. There is a freedom to explore and build and play however you would like to.

You Won’t Believe That There Are Certain Benefits of Minecraft

If we think about it, there are a lot of benefits to playing Minecraft like improved memory performance, better creativity, and focus. It also helps to better your planning skills. Other than these, since it is a somewhat technical game, it helps to build your mathematical and engineering skills as well and gives you a team spirit too.

In 2019, a study was conducted by Minecraft Education in partnership with Queensland University of Technology’s Digital Media Research Centre on young students learning mathematics to scrutinize whether the Minecraft environment builds engagement in the classroom. After a long 3 three-month study, the students showed extraordinary improvement in mathematics along with a boost in their confidence in the subject.

Some of the top advantages are listed in detail below.

1. Encouraging Creativity and Project Planning

The first and most important feature of playing Minecraft is the fact that the game is designed in a way that encourages players to be more creative.

This is because the game is played in a manner that you are constantly in touch with your creative side. In essence, you are building blocks, but now the platform is bigger and better and what you can achieve with the same concept is very different.

You can imagine anything and build it, without much difficulty. One of the biggest examples to prove this is the ‘Westerocraft’, a platform that is dedicated to building Westeros. These are a fictional part of the ‘ A Song of Ice and Fire’ series by George R.R. Martin, and when you look at this closely you see that all parts of it look breathtaking, considering Minecraft projects.

The Icy Whiz team interviewed Agnieszka Rusinek, CEO of Meadow’s Tale, and asked her about the most significant benefits of playing Minecraft. Here is what she said:

“Minecraft offers significant benefits for cognitive development and skill enhancement in children and young adults.

First, it fosters creativity through its sandbox environment, allowing players to build and explore without specific goals, which enhances spatial reasoning and complex problem-solving skills.

Second, the game promotes collaboration and communication as players often work together in multiplayer modes to achieve common objectives, which can improve social skills and teamwork abilities.

Moreover, Minecraft introduces basic computer science concepts, as players use the in-game coding and mechanics system (like Redstone) to create simple or complex contraptions, potentially sparking an interest in technology and engineering fields.

For parents considering whether to let their children play Minecraft, it’s essential to maintain a balance. While the game can be educational and foster important skills, setting limits on screen time and encouraging a variety of activities is crucial for overall development.

Encourage discussions about what your child creates and learns in the game, and consider joining them in play to further understand the game’s benefits and to facilitate bonding experiences.”

2. Reinforcing Problem-Solving Skills

Problem-solving is a skill that is promoted through all games, but Minecraft is a little different in this aspect as it lets you decide your own goals, and how you want to achieve them.

Since there are a lot of things that have to be considered in the game like shelter, food, and safety, the players tend to be more prepared and learn the skill too. There are a lot of places where there will be challenges but even then, you will have the chance to pick any side, explore, and get your way ahead.

There are different modes and options are numerous, you can use your style to go ahead and achieve your goals. You have to hunt, build, and survive in whatever way you like.

In an interview with Matt Little, Director/Entrepreneur at Festoon House, talked about the notable benefits of playing Minecraft. Here is what he had to say:

“One of the most notable benefits of playing Minecraft is its ability to foster creativity and problem-solving skills. This is because when children dive into Minecraft, they aren’t just passively consuming content; they’re actively building and creating entire worlds from scratch.

Whether building elaborate structures or devising complex redstone contraptions, each step necessitates critical thinking and strategic planning.

This process sparks their imaginations and encourages them to think outside the box, which is extremely valuable in today’s innovation-driven world.

Furthermore, Minecraft is an excellent tool for practicing collaboration and communication skills. In this digital sandbox, players can team up with friends or strangers from all over the world to complete projects. 

Through collaborative gameplay, they learn how to effectively communicate ideas, delegate tasks, and resolve conflicts, all of which are necessary skills for navigating real-world relationships and professional settings.

It’s a powerful reminder that teamwork makes the dream work, and Minecraft provides a safe and supportive environment for kids to practice these interpersonal skills.”

3. Teamwork and Communication

Initially, kids love Minecraft due to the fact that it is effortless. But as they age, so does the game, implying that there are more levels with different benefits and learning.

So, once the kids are old enough, they can actually play Minecraft with their friends by using shared servers. This is just like any other group activity which helps you to work with a team and also makes your communication skills better.

So, kids learn two things; first, how to actually work in a group harmoniously; and secondly, how things can be done in a more efficient way when people come together and put down their efforts to the task at hand. This can be transitioned into your daily life with better communication and delegation of tasks.

4. Resource Management

One of the skills that is learned by playing this game is resource management. You have to build something using blocks. So, you need to acquire the exact required number of blocks to have all the resources required for your final creation.

You have to make sure to make the best of what is available and also that you save some for later and collect them for timely usage.

Basically, it teaches us how to utilize what we have, and how to value it. Secondly, it also teaches why resources are necessary and how to retain them.

5. Patience and Perseverance

Last but not least, Minecraft teaches you both patience and perseverance. There can be different kinds of projects that may require a few days, or even extend to a few months. But consistency is the key. You have to be disciplined and have perseverance.

This is a skill that needs to be ingrained in every human so that they can perform their work diligently without giving up, no matter how slow it gets or how many hurdles they may face, as progress is not linear. Moreover, this game also brings along skills like dedication in finding and using the blocks, making the best possible cretins, and using your imagination in the best possible way.

However, Playing Minecraft Regularly Can Have Its Disadvantages

We all know that it is a game, and it is addictive. Indeed, sometimes kids who are really obsessed with the game can experience withdrawal symptoms when they are not playing it. They might feel very bored and irritated in life, being under-stimulated and unable to focus on anything other than the game.

Obviously, due to long hours, it is bad for your mind and body. What needs to be kept in mind is that you should make sure that you do not invest very long hours in playing Minecraft, try to include more activities, and take breaks rather than sitting in front of a screen for long hours at a stretch.

It can be safely concluded that Minecraft is not bad for the brain in a literal sense but if you spend long hours hooked to the game, then it is not helpful or productive.

It can be used as a side activity for an hour a day when you need a distraction or something exciting and puzzling to challenge your brain that you also enjoy doing. Thus, with an active and conscious mind, this can add a lot of value to your life!

Guest Author: Saket Kumar

Last Updated on May 19, 2024 by Pragya