Opinion: Gamers Are Better at Finance Than Non-Gamers

If you think finance experts are the only ones who specialise in wealth-building, think again. Listen, I’m not about to claim that you can forgo education in finance and just game your way to riches (though I wish that was possible).

What I am saying here is that gamers have a natural leg up over the average person when it comes to moolah matters. Ooo, hot take alert. 

ING, a Dutch bank and financial services corporation, actually conducted a survey that corroborates this. It reveals that 2 in 5 Australian gamers feel like the strategies employed in their digital games have improved their real life saving habits.

I’m talking about the same people who stay up till 3 am grinding for in-game currency, meticulously min-maxing their character builds, and instinctively timing a thunderwave to blast  an undead necromancer off a cliff— voiding an entire boss battle in Baldur’s Gate 3. Those are signs of a strategic mind, my friend.

As you can tell, I am a proud and self-proclaimed gamer/nerd—and guess what—those “wasted” hours of gaming may have actually given me a comparative advantage at money matters. 

Before you say anything, let me cook. This article is going to cover 5 reasons as to why I think gamers have a natural edge in financial matters. I’ll also drop a couple of games I recommend if you’re ever curious to see what the fuss is all about—and perhaps sway you to pick up that dusty controller (or mouse and keyboard). 

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Gamers Are Better at Finance Than Non-gamers

1. Reason #1: We understand the grind
2. Reason #2: We see money as a resource, not just a number
3. Reason #3: Technological fluency and algorithmic thinking
4. Reason #4: Fast decision-making and iterative learning
5. Reason #5: Cooperative gameplay = better couple finance management
6. In summary, games could level up your finances

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Reason #1: We understand the grind 

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In the real world, making money is about consistent effort. Gamers? We’ve been on that grind since day numero uno. Whether it’s farming gold in World of Warcraft, collecting rupees in Zelda, or battling for better loot in Destiny, we know that patience and effort lead to serious payoffs.

Delayed gratification? Gamers get it. We don’t spend all our resources the second we get them—we wait for the right moment to upgrade. The guy who spent 100 hours grinding for a legendary weapon? He’s the same guy who understands compound interest and lets his investments grow. 

Games that could give you XP in this:

• Destiny
• Runescape
• World of Warcraft

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Reason #2: Letting money collect dust is not in our DNA

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A good gamer knows that hoarding resources is useless unless they’re being put to work. The same applies to money. Gold sitting in your inventory won’t win the game—just like cash sitting in a low-interest savings account won’t build wealth.

Real-time strategy (RTS) games like StarCraft and Age of Empires cultivate this mentality in players through their mechanics. To win, you need to build an army, recruit soldiers, and equip them with the best weapons and armor. And how do you pay for all that? Resources. But if you let ’em sit idle in your treasury, you’ll be defenseless when the enemy arrives, ready to tear down your empire in seconds.

Yeah sure, no one’s going to come and destroy you for not investing (maybe your future self will if time travel is invented). But those who funnel their funds into investments have a higher chance of growing their money substantially—compared to someone who lets their money collect dust in a low-interest savings account. 

Games that could give you XP in this:

• Starcraft 2
• The Civilization Franchise
• Age of Empires IV

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Reason #3: Technological fluency and algorithmic thinking

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We gamers practically live in a digital wonderland, where advanced tech isn’t just an accessory—it’s the air we breathe. Have you seen the user interface on a standard RPG game? It’s words, numbers, buttons, logos—EVERYWHERE.

From the moment the console boots up to the final boss fight, gamers are already comfortable juggling data-driven chaos. That’s why we’re the type who eagerly dive into robo-advisors and algorithmic trading systems like they’re the latest raid bosses. Our brains are already tuned to processing massive amounts of information at once

Plus, after decoding game mechanics and spotting enemy patterns on the fly, an algorithmic mindset comes naturally. It’s like we’ve been training in a digital dojo all our lives, so reading stock trends and spotting correlations feels second nature.

Games that could give you XP in this:

• Baldur’s Gate 3
• Diablo IV
• Path of Exile 2

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Reason #4: Fast decision-making and iterative learning

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Rapid decision-making under uncertainty is yet another hallmark of the gaming experience. In fast-paced scenarios, hesitation can be fatal. 

Whether it’s dodging an enemy’s attack or seizing a fleeting opportunity in a dynamic in-game market, gamers are constantly making split-second decisions with limited information. 

This skill translates seamlessly to the financial world, where market conditions can shift in an instant. The ability to quickly analyse data and act decisively often makes the difference between seizing a lucrative investment opportunity and missing out entirely.

Iterative learning is a further advantage. Gamers rarely succeed on the first try—we review our gameplay, learn from the mistakes made, and adjust our strategies accordingly. I mean if you’ve played any Souls-type game, you’ll know exactly what I’m talking about here. You fight, die, respawn, fight, die, respawn—again and again—till you’ve figured out the right fight patterns to beat the boss.

This trial-and-error approach mirrors the way investors backtest their strategies and refine their portfolios over time. Each failed attempt in a game isn’t a setback but rather an essential lesson for the next round. 

Games that could give you XP in this:

• The Dark Souls Franchise
• Elden Ring
• Black Myth: Wukong

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Reason #5: Cooperative gameplay = better couple finance management

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In cooperative games, success hinges on communication, trust, and a shared vision—just like managing finances as a couple. Whether you’re defeating a dungeon boss or putting out a burning kitchen (Overcooked players, I feel you), you quickly learn to divide tasks, play to each person’s strengths, and have each other’s backs when the stakes get high.

A strong duo coordinates roles: one tanks damage while the other heals or deals critical blows. This division of labour mirrors real-life finances, where one partner might handle budgeting while the other manages investments. Both require clear communication and trust. 

Ultimately, cooperative gameplay teaches couples to combine strengths, stay composed under pressure, and make strategic decisions together. Whether you’re coordinating a clutch comeback in Marvel Rivals or rebalancing your joint portfolio, the teamwork you’ve honed in gaming can turn financial challenges into opportunities for shared success.

Games that could give you XP in this:

• Overcooked 3
• Split Fiction
• It Takes Two

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In summary, games could level up your finances

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When you peel back the layers of immersive gameplay, it becomes clear that strategies, mindsets, and skills that gamers use to conquer digital worlds can be applied to money matters. Their ability to manage resources, assess risks, make rapid decisions, adjust fast from mistakes, and cooperatively clear games provides them with an edge in the real financial arena.

Remember—those gaming sessions might be subtly laying the groundwork for a future of financial mastery. In a world where every financial decision counts, perhaps it’s time we start taking a page out of the gamer’s playbook.

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Inspired to try some games now? Share this article with your friends and family!

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About the author

Having been writing for a little over 10 years, KC has flexed his pen in a variety of industries—think automotive, fitness, entertainment, and finance. He’s ultimately on a mission to prove that any topic, no matter how serious, can be made fun.

Off-duty? It’s all about food, drinks, parties, and gaming marathons.