I am a very very big proponent of practical application. Games have that practical application. We win and we lose in games. Losing is where I learn the most. And the risk of losing something (pride, prestige, money, the potential to get hurt) creates a motivation to win. And a motivation to improvise and use the knowledge that we have in practical ways.

Academic knowledge is essential, but it's only a foundation, it is not going to stick in our head unless we practice it in real situations. And even simulated situations like games. There is a saying in the US, “it looks good on paper.” Meaning, we can propose a plan, and it may look great, but unless we test it and put it into practice, it's just a hypothesis.