This article will examine the added value of playing video games, specifically the genre of city builders, to an economist.

Please note that we do not consider games to be a highly accurate depiction of reality, they are either simplified or heavily styled.

There are genuine scientific studies that point to the connections made in brains when you learn new skills or process (new) information. This also applies to any type of game as the brain cannot really differentiate between games and work (the difference between leisure and work is personal). This also applies to general application of skills outside of the make belief world; playing shooter games has increased reaction time for military personnel.

In this brief essay we will focus the value for economist, such as someone working in administration: A game where you build intricate webs of production whilst keeping tabs on several KPIs, is something with similar requirements, such as maintaining general oversight and managing multiple menu`s at the same time. Besides city building, managerial games are also suitable, for demanding the same type of activities: You perform similar tasks (maintaining positive input and expanding assets to increase output), just in a different setting. Up to this point it is still fairly relaxing, no real stress just learning how the game itself works.

Another requirement in these games is fine tuning: Here you have to learn how to system really works in minute detail, to increase efficiency or increase output (reduce costs and increase profit). This stage really gets your brain working as it processes al the information and seeks better ways of operating. Quite a few have a trading part, where you can buy and sell resources, this does have relevance for financials, just less than the administrative professionals get out of it. A different part is growing: After some time you have to oversee multiple settlements or a great increase in the amount of resources managed. This puts a strain on your mental capacity as you need to remember and process more information at the same time. Making it an excellent exercise in often demanded multi tasking.

Very important, most games list gold or a precious metal based old currency as a important commodity, which does help create a mindset of investing in something important.