What Video Games Teach Us About Failure and Learning

I recently watched a video essay by Razbuten called “Failure is Weird” [Razbuten, 2025] that got me thinking about the parallels between failure in video games and failure in learning. The connections are striking, and they offer valuable insights for how we approach education.

Failure Gives Success Its Meaning

Razbuten opens with a provocative observation: failure is what gives video games their stakes. Without the possibility of failure, there’s little satisfaction in completing a challenge. As he puts it:

“The best way to make success feel good is by earning it. So space for failure is a key part of any game’s design… Despite our aversion to failure, we need it… it’s what makes your inputs matter.” [Razbuten, 2025]

This is equally true for learning. If there’s no struggle, there’s no learning. The satisfaction of finally understanding a difficult concept—that “aha!” moment, only exists because we first experienced confusion and uncertainty.

Learning Is Uncomfortable

Here’s an uncomfortable truth: real learning is inherently uncomfortable. When we’re truly learning something new, we’re challenging our existing mental models. We’re confronting misconceptions. We’re wrestling with ideas that don’t immediately make sense.

There is no learning unless we are challenging a misconception. If everything feels easy and comfortable, we’re likely just reinforcing what we already know, not growing.

The Temptation to Find the “Optimal Strategy”

One of Razbuten’s key observations is that players often want to avoid failure because it feels bad. Depending on the game, they may be overly punished for failing, which promotes the incentive to find the “optimal strategy” instead of exploring options and genuinely interacting with the game. [Razbuten, 2025]

I find this remarkably similar to learning. It’s very tempting to look up the answers to a problem instead of wading through the turbulence of struggling with it. Why spend an hour wrestling with a math problem when you could just check the answer key or watch a YouTube tutorial?

But here’s the thing: the struggle IS the learning. When you skip the struggle, you skip the learning.

The Zone of Proximal Development

Of course, there’s a balance to strike. As Razbuten notes:

“There is only so much failure most players will be willing to endure.” [Razbuten, 2025]

This is where the concept of the Zone of Proximal Development (ZPD) becomes crucial. Developed by psychologist Lev Vygotsky, the ZPD describes the sweet spot between what a learner can do independently and what they cannot do even with help. It’s the zone where learning actually happens, with appropriate support.

Too easy? No growth. Too hard? Frustration and giving up.

The Role of Teachers (and Game Designers)

This is where teachers, like good game designers, come in. Our job is to provide enough scaffolding to make sure students are not struggling so much that they’re no longer learning. We’re there to:

  • Break down complex problems into manageable steps
  • Provide hints without giving away the answer
  • Create a safe environment where failure is expected and normal
  • Calibrate challenges to keep students in that productive zone

Just as a well-designed game gradually increases difficulty while teaching new mechanics, good teaching gradually removes scaffolding as students build competence.

Embrace the Struggle

So the next time you’re faced with a challenging problem, whether in math class or in a video game, remember: that discomfort is a sign you’re learning. Don’t rush to find the optimal strategy. Don’t immediately look up the answer.

Sit with the struggle. Explore. Make mistakes. Learn.

The satisfaction of finally understanding will be worth it.

What games have taught you something about learning or failure? I’d love to hear your thoughts!

References

  1. Razbuten (2025). Failure is Weird. YouTube. Link