What Video Games Taught Me About Software
February 22, 2026
I’ve spent a lot of time playing video games growing up.
At first it was just entertainment. A way to relax, compete with friends, or disconnect for a while.
But funny enough, many of the skills I use in tech today were shaped by games long before I realized it.
Looking back, they taught me more than I expected.
Patience and persistence
Games are basically a series of problems.
You fail a level, try again, adjust your strategy, and repeat until something finally clicks.
That loop felt normal to me. Losing wasn’t the end — it was just feedback.
Years later, debugging feels surprisingly similar.
When something breaks, I don’t immediately give up. I try again, change my approach, and keep experimenting. It’s the same mindset, just applied to code instead of a boss fight.
Systems thinking
Games are full of systems interacting with each other: mechanics, rules, balances, cause and effect.