How a Toddler Taught Me the True Value of Flexibility in Robotics Games

My son Demir was 5 years old and he was playing a robot wars game where each robot has different weapons, capacities, and armor configurations. One day, I came home and noticed an intriguing strategy employed by Demir that challenged my assumptions about the game's design and the value of different robot configurations.

Unconventional Choices in Robotics Games

Demir had chosen a very lightweight robot, which is typically fast but heavily under-armed and lightly armored. The robot only had one slot for additional components, and Demir had placed a shield in it instead of adding a weapon. This seemed like a suboptimal choice, given the typical preconception that a robot with a shield would be useless in combat, especially without offensive capabilities. After all, such a robot was usually more of a minor nuisance in the war game environment, incapable of delivering significant damage.

Observing Demir's Strategy

The next day when I came home from work, I saw Demir playing the game with the same robot, but this time, it was a different picture. He was using the robot to leap all over the battlefield, effectively capturing the opposing team's base. Miraculously, this robot that I initially considered to be almost useless turned into a formidable player because of the additional shield. In a capture the base scenario, the shield provided the needed durability to outmaneuver and outplay the enemy. With a single shield in place, the robot was able to pursue and protect itself from retaliations, making every push more successful.

Understanding the Lesson

It was then that I realized the brilliance of Demir's strategy. He understood that flexibility and versatility are crucial in robotics games, and sometimes the most seemingly uncomfortable or counterintuitive choices can yield unexpected results. Demir recognized that the shield could serve a purpose beyond its intended function, providing a defender's role that suited the robot's speed and agility. This taught me an important lesson about problem-solving and adaptability in contexts where flexibility is key.

Valuing Creative Problem-Solving in Your Own Games

It's easy to stick to what seems obvious or tried-and-true strategies in gaming. However, by allowing ourselves to explore unconventional choices, we can often uncover new and more effective ways to achieve our goals. This applies not just to the virtual world of robot wars but to real-life situations as well, where creative thinking and flexibility can be invaluable.

Encouraging Your Little Ones to Think Differently

If you have a toddler or young child who plays games like robot wars, encourage them to experiment and think outside the box. Often, their deviations from conventional playstyles can lead to surprising outcomes. Like Demir, they may discover innovative solutions that you had never considered before. These moments of exploration and discovery are crucial for fostering a growth mindset and critical thinking skills that will benefit them in all areas of life.