Does playing online games (e.g Habbo) enhance your creative skills (design etc)?

[Spuds]

Bizarre. Anyway, does playing online games such as Habbo mean you'll be more likely to be better than a non-player later on in your teen years when it comes to graphic design (Photoshop, Illustrator), web design (dreamweaver) and even musically (jingle editing).

The link is here for all to see. Those who start at a young age either get bored after a year or two then drop out, those who stay will often find a fansite. Here they'll either get bored again or apply for work on the radio or sign up to the forum. If they go down the DJ route they may find themselves playing with music editing software at home in leisure time. This will of course give them more experience if they're doing this when they're 13 or 14 and stick with it (obviously advancing onto more professional websites) until they're 16/17 and starting college on a music course.

Those who go down the forum route are exposed to graphic design, website design etc. Here they could show interest and pick one up, once again at the age of 13 or 14. And just like before, if they stick with it they'll obviously be a lot more experienced when it comes to GCSE level or even A Level/college work than someone whose just picked the subject because "graphic design" looks like a fun name.

When I look around my college course and see the standard of work it's cringeworthy. The majority have picked it due to it looking fun and have the talent of a chimp. I have no problems in saying my work is to a higher standard than that produced by them and have also made the point that the course is being dumbed down for those who haven't had the experience. Another person on the course is also having the same problem. Don't ask how it came along but it led to a quiet, embarrassed, discussion about how we got started on design programmes. He admitted to playing a certain online game and even having a DJ job at a certain fansite... before being sacked. Skip a couple of years and he now has his own portfolio online and is taking in business, he's in college producing a high quality level of work and is picking up distinctions left, right and centre.

Now compare that to the fake tanned, bleached blonde hair tramp whose favourite hobby at 14 was drinking Strongbow in the park - probably still is.

The link, in my opinion, is here for everyone to see. Playing online games will expose you to skills which you could use later on in life to gain a living. Obviously you find the odd person who has picked up an interest in it from somewhere else however you've more chance of being exposes to these skills via online fansites, in my opinion. Same goes for those who use the forums etc and show no interest in the skills. Apologies for rushing this last bit, running out of time.

[Josh]

Well, I'm not sure about my creative skill. But if it wasn't for games like Habbo, I wouldn't know as much stuff as I do now. At Habbox and Habbo, I have gained some small leadership skills, I've matured and I've done stuff that I wouldn't have done in anyother situation. For example, give feedback on things openly and freely.

[GommeInc]

This is an interesting discussion you've come up with

I wouldn't say it has enhanced my creative skills, but joining forums and chatting on Habbo probably makes you more aware of social online media, particularly in a gaming environment. I remember making Habbo Alts, which I guess introduced me to graphics but I wasn't exactly new to it as I made a few (terrible) images to begin with. I guess, in a way, it introduced a new form of art - pixel art. It introduced me to Habbox, which has developed my communication skills, as well as show me what people are like and their different behaviour. I was using forums way before Habbox and Habbo, but this has a wider target audience. It also teaches you about management skills and how they work, to some degree

Quite difficult to come up with a reasoned answer - it's been inspirational, but not life changing.

[Inseriousity.]

Creative skills no, I'm still as crap at art as I was before I played online games. I think there needs to be a vague interest in it before you start playing that will grow and develop as you get more exposed to it. Although I have learnt other skills: How to (try and fail) lead a team for example

[Andy-]

It may be a yes for some but for me yes. I learnt how to do some stuff under the 'Graphics' when I started to do minor alts and recolours. It helped me know about marketing stratgeies if you would put it like that in Merchanting (buying and selling). It also me in general knowledge. When doing quizes etc you have to be smart or have extreme luck to win.

But overall I think it does help.

[ProudFall]

I wouldn't class Habbo as an online game, more of a chatroom with advanced gaming connections, such as ability to buy pets, decorate rooms, more of a social site. On the other hand, WOW (World of Warcraft) and Runescape are more known as games (even if they do have chat-abilities).

I don't think playing an online game will improve your design skills, no.

[Spuds]

Design skills being a loose term due to the title restrictions. In general, the technical side of things. As stated, you can branch out to music editing right across to website coding or even programming. It's that stage where you're exposed to the forum where it takes it's affect. Could be argued it'd be the same whatever you're exposed to, be it a forum or a book however what with the forum being internet based it could be also be argued that it's more interesting for someone younger than a book.

[orientalframe?]

I'd say it's improved my designing skills when I was in Year 7/8 for Graphics, and surprisingly Runescape helped at around that age for knowledge about different types of trees. Though I suppose when you get a lot older it doesn't really make a difference.

[Oleh]

It's WoW which helped me with money managing.

Also its proven that games such as FPS increase your hand eye coordination

[Zuth]

I've learned alot of things from habbo and Habbox, stuff what I would of Proberly never found out about.