Cities: Skylines. A mathematical video game.

The article examines the potential of the video game Cities: Skylines as a tool for teaching mathematics, focusing on its applications in developing spatial sense, financial literacy, data interpretation, and social-emotional learning (SEL) skills. Through a four-session case study with a ten-year-old student, the game was used to engage the learner in geometric constructions, budgeting, graph analysis, and empathy-building by managing virtual citizens’ happiness. The game’s features allow students to apply mathematical concepts in realistic urban planning scenarios, while also fostering problem-solving and critical thinking. The article also acknowledges challenges associated with video game use in education, such as risks of sleep deprivation and exposure to inappropriate content.