Shiv on Learning

I’ve was a fan of Real Time Strategy (RTS) games long before research suggested that:

“Video games that involve planning and strategy, such as those from the Total War series, may also train working memory”

The same article also suggests:

• Sidoku and Facebook are also good for working memory
• Twitter, Youtube and Texting are bad for working memory
• Working memory is far more important to Success and Happiness than IQ.

So for those of you who who spend your time Tweeting and watching clips on Youtube, and are willing to step over to the dark side, here are two of my favorite RTS games to help boost your working memory.  They both involve “keeping track of past actions and mapping the actions you’re going to take”, and having a lot of fun while doing it.

Command & Conquer: Red Alert 3

The Command & Conquer series is probably the best known of all the RTS games. It is been around since 1995 and has been awarded  6 Guinness World records including:  Biggest Selling RTS Series”, “Most Number of Platforms for an RTS”, and “Longest Running Actor in Video Game Role” .

This has been one of my favorite games since it’s release. It’s format and structure allows for short 5 minute games as well as ones that are several hours long. A vibrant online community means you will never be short of people to play with.

Cossacks II: Napoleonic Wars

Cossacks is a game that is guaranteed to keep you to your computer screen for hours at a time. If you have no idea what a Tesla trooper or Terror Drone is but do know the difference between a Rifleman and a Grenadier you may be better suited to this. Much like C&C in game play but with units and plots based on the armies involved in the Napoleonic wars.

Where in C&C each player is likely to have dozens of units, in Cossacks you are likely to have hundreds or thousands. You also have to mine for metals, grow food, and provide housing for your vast armies. This means there is a lot more to think about and do than simply attacking the other team.