Can we learn stuff from playing games? Sure we can, but for games to become a mode for teaching actual skills (or for teaching to seem more like a fun game), there's got to be more than bells and whistles. An IGN analysis talks about the potential of videogames to teach, mentioning both its strong points and its shortcomings in this day and age.

While "edutainment" videogames such as the Carmen Sandiego series have been out for a while now, they've gotten more and more boring when placed beside heavy hitters like action games and RPGs. In both cases, however, the same rules that get kids to learn apply:

1. Videogames are almost always instant motivators, driving kids to do their best to beat the game.
2. There's nothing like videogames to teach you how to follow instructions. A game will teach you basics before making you tackle tough stuff (Why else do you kill boars in WoW before you can take on dragons, right?)
3. Games make you read and understand things you normally wouldn't think about. How else can you get deep into a world simulation like Civilization IV unless you were quite literate and good at understanding the written word?
4. It's "safe." Only in games can you learn through trial and error without the feeling of being punished for messing up, unless you corrupt your save files. Definitely good for self-esteem and for practicing skills.
   
5. There's nothing more rewarding than that feeling of pushing yourself to the limit for something you find worthwhile and succeeding.