Game creator Ubisoft was the first to set up shop in Montreal over twenty years ago, followed by other big names from abroad: Eidos, Ludia, Gameloft and Amazon Games, to name a few. Hundreds of independent studios then flourished in the city and in the National Capital. More than a third of the country's studios, nearly 250 to date, have set up shop in Quebec. This excitement stimulates technological innovation and contributes to an impressive economic and creative wealth. Is video gaming really a bête noire?

Video games, witness to the clash of generations

“I’ve wanted to be an entrepreneur for a few years now. What pushed me to start Le Gamer Mentor was the motivation to give young people the opportunity to develop through their passion for video games. It’s something I would have liked to have when I was their age,” says Mathieu. Before founding his company, he searched for himself: football, kayaking, political science, law, administration… Then, he finally launched into what really fired him up.

He had hesitated for a long time because people did not understand his passion for video games: "You're wasting your time, it's useless, my mother kept telling me. Go play outside! But when you say that to your child, it harms his personal development because he doesn't feel valued in what he loves."

A challenge to understand for any baby boomer or generation X parent, who was instilled with the importance of school and working hard to obtain an enviable position and material security. These adults are the ones who knew Walkmans and the beginnings of computer programming. For them, video games rhyme with the ultimate idleness of coach potatoe .

Mathieu is part of the Millennials. He grew up with computers and video games. His customers are either like him or young Zs, digital natives, "zapping" social networks and smartphones. These young people don't know what it's like to wait; everything is fast, at their fingertips. Their communication is instantaneous, at the speed of Snapchat. Social life is built on screens. "You have to learn to speak their language and provide them with data that is useful to them," says Mathieu. "If you go for a 30-minute bike ride before playing, you'll be more efficient."

E-sport as a driver of success

Discipline, emotion management, teamwork, balance, leadership, problem solving, physical and mental health… lots of advice that Mathieu and his dozen coaches give to young people, in participatory mode, and which are useful as much for video games as in life. Because, there is a place in practice for the development of character qualities, skills and cognitive, social, and emotional abilities.

“Becoming better at a game takes discipline. You have to do a little bit every day. Playing for eight hours straight is not good because it will burn you out mentally. You have to learn to sequence your practices well. And even when it’s difficult, when you feel angry or frustrated, don’t throw your controller! Take a break, turn off the computer, breathe, go do something else and come back when you’re in a good frame of mind. It’s the same with irritants in life. Eating well is also important to be efficient and balanced.”

To stay in the Gamer Mentor program, you must have a 70% average in school, much like in any other Sports-Studies program. "It teaches you how to perform. It provides motivation at school. I believe that video games can be as good a driver of success as sports if they are well supervised." Like in a soccer league, there are video game practices, coaches, teammates and tournaments. The coaches, experts in each game, are certified by the Fédération québécoise de sports électroniques . They present strategies and explain the games. In addition to this already well-known universe, the young entrepreneur offers an hour-long workshop on healthy lifestyle habits after school on Wednesdays.

Mathieu then shares his knowledge with the young people and listens to what they have to say: “We meet on the digital platform Discord. Each young person talks about their goals for the week and what they did to achieve the previous ones. We start discussions; we ask them questions; we put ourselves together in solution mode.

It's a place where young people can express themselves. In fact, they all speak up, that's part of the deal." At the beginning of the program, there is a meeting with the trainers, the young person and their family. "The young person must want to get involved in the process." There are also follow-ups with the parents every four weeks so that they can monitor the improvement at home, better understand and adjust the dynamics: "We become a resource for the family in managing daily life."

Confidence and personal development

“Video games are our common bond,” says Mathieu. “It’s what makes us trip together, it’s what connects us. It creates a closeness, we establish bonds of trust. My door is always open. Moreover, when I recruit my coaches, it’s essential for me that their human and educational sides are strong. Above all, they must listen to the needs of the young person. Often they will tell you what they need, you just have to know how to listen. The introspection they are able to do over time is incredible. They are less withdrawn and are able to be honest with themselves. Many adults are not able to do that!”

For Mathieu, the issues of addiction to video games are linked to the toxic environments they try to escape by taking refuge in them, and not the other way around. There is no point in demonizing screens. Rather than banning digital technology, we must educate people to use it better and remain human. "We become big brothers, confidants. We inspire. Sometimes, we talk about love affairs, school anxiety or the fear of trying and making mistakes. Last year, a young person told me that I had given him a taste for life again."

Mathieu's ultimate goal? To make young people better people through video games and help them reach their full potential. Whatever people say, video games can inspire vocations and it seems far from being just entertainment.