Many academic officials have been pushing for an improvement in student academics. One of the main subjects of concern in the U.S. is math, but a new study suggests that there could be a fun way for students to bolster their math skills.

A new study from Stanford University found that simulation found in such games as World of Warcraft could be the key to math education. Keith Devlin, a mathematician at the University has been trying to develop an online game that is similar to the popular hobby, but is used as a tool for tutoring in math.

Devlin is looking to target middle school students, where they would play games that would incorporate mathematic principals that the players must overcome through negotiation rather than killing other characters, which is typical in simulation challenges.

"The dropoff is so huge that by the time they get to high school, it is too late," Devlin said. "But middle school is the age where the kind of environment I am talking about really would work. It is perfect for that."