Video games are an artform which began in the 1970s with text adventure games, or IF as they are now called. Under the right conditions, IF can be used in the TEFL classroom to great effect in order to develop reading skills, but also to improve writing. Students can become more aware and engaged with the semiotic domain of video games by being asked to produce a short IF themselves. Good video games are built with a number of principles in mind, which teachers could integrate in their own lesson design. Good video games have rules and constraints which are constantly reinforced, they have a clear overarching goal and several sub-goals, they provide immediate feedback, they have the player play at the very limit of their skill level, providing just enough of a challenge, they offer a personalized experience, and foster independent learning. Rather than bemoan people’s addiction to video games, this article invites teachers to take action, analyze and apply the principles of a well-designed video game to their own classroom.