What If Games Train Real Problem Solvers

What If Games Train Real Problem Solvers

From The Gaming Persona by Daniel Kaufmann Ph.D. | Dr. Gameology

April 9, 2026 · 49 min · Season 6 · Episode 13

About this episode

The episode discusses the mental barriers gamers face before starting a game and how to overcome them, while also exploring the impact of gaming on real-life problem-solving skills.

Send us Fan Mail Your console is on, your hands are ready, and you still hesitate to hit Start because you know what’s waiting: the boss that’s been living in your head all week. We talk honestly about that moment, why it happens, and how to push through it without turning your favorite game into a stress factory. We jump from a real-life win (a book selling out at PAX East) into the games taking over our brains right now: Baldur’s Gate 3 build learning, why rushing the main quest can ...

People in this episode

Host: Daniel Kaufmann Ph.D.

Topics covered

  • gaming
  • problem solving
  • mental health
  • stress management
  • Baldur's Gate 3
  • real-life applications

Keywords

  • gaming
  • problem solving
  • mental health
  • Baldur's Gate 3
  • stress management
  • PAX East
  • video games

Mentioned in this episode

Books & works: Baldur’s Gate 3

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