Strategy games are not just a way to pass the time — they serve as a powerful workout for the brain. These games encourage players to think ahead, analyze situations, and choose the best option among many possibilities. In real life, decision-making is a crucial skill that affects everything — from work to personal relationships. But how exactly do strategy games influence our ability to make decisions?

Decision-making is the process of choosing the best possible option from a variety of choices, directly impacting the final outcome of a situation.

In strategy games, this process is particularly pronounced: every action influences the game’s progress, forcing players to plan ahead and adapt to changing circumstances. The more we analyze situations and predict consequences, the faster and more consciously we make decisions in real life.

Research:

One of the earliest experiments related to decision-making in complex systems was conducted by German psychologist Dietrich Dörner in 1983.

In his “Lohausen” simulation, a computer-modeled scenario, participants were placed in the role of a “Burgomaster” in a fictional town located somewhere in the Central German mountains (presumably with beer and bavarian sausages included).

Players were responsible for managing the city’s economy, politics, and population, making key decisions across multiple sectors. The main industrial hub of Lohausen was a watch factory, but the town also included banks, shops, breweries, mines, and many other businesses.

The simulation was complex and multi-layered — participants had to consider not only economic indicators but also demographic changes, political factors, and market fluctuations. Success required a holistic approach because the players had to sustain their position as burgomaster for 10 in-game years.

In essence, “Lohausen” was an early precursor to city-building simulations.

If it had been further developed into a full-fledged game, it could have become one of the first city management simulators, long before SimCity!

The main goal of the “Lohausen” experiment was to understand how people handle complex problems and make decisions under uncertainty. During the experiment, it became clear that some players actively engaged in problem-solving, frequently adjusting their approach, testing hypotheses, and analyzing whether they could improve aspects like quality of life, market stability, and crime rates.

What Did the Research Reveal?

The best players tested hypotheses, analyzed data, and adjusted their strategy, while others made mistakes by failing to account for the system’s complexity. The experiment’s results highlighted several key principles:

1. Systemic Thinking — Decisions must consider multiple factors.

2. Flexibility & Adaptability — A single strategy cannot work under all circumstances.

3. Delayed Consequences — Short-term gains can lead to failure in the long run.

4. Practical Experience Over Theory — Learning from mistakes is more effective than following instructions.

Why Does This Matter Today?

The findings from “Lohausen” remain relevant today. Strategy games, particularly economic and tactical simulators, help develop analytical and managerial skills — essential for business, politics, and everyday life.

In our next article, we will explore a real example — XCOM: Enemy Unknown, where every decision has long-term consequences.

♟️ If you enjoy deep strategic gameplay and the weight of impactful decisions, keep an eye on the upcoming DexGames project — it will take it’s place among other tactical strategy games!

🚀 Stay tuned for updates!