What I learned from video games.

Nocren

So I was in an Amp fueled rush last night playing AC6 and browsing another web comic (Red Meat) when I realized that, thanks to Wing Commander 3, I learned what a Tacyon particle was.

Then I recalled that story about that kid that learned basic first aid from America's Army.

So has anyone gained any real knowledge from video games here? I'm not talking about "Hitting weak spots for massive damage" or "pick up everything that's not nailed down because you WILL need it later."

maybe some of you guys learned something from an RTS or Brothers in Arms?

TekDragon

I learned which vegetables typically grow in what season thanks to the Harvest Moon series.

fragglefart

I learned that in most mazes, hugging the right hand wall will eventually take you to the exit.

And also a fair amount of useless trivia about supercars from PGR and the like.

Etiowsa

Parasite Eve taught the the function of mitochondria, as well as other fancy biology things like apoptiosis and osteocytes (I probably spelled both of those wrong.....I havent played it in a while )

DebaserZbs

SimCity taught me in a very general way about how zoning works. Also that it's impossible to keep everyone happy - especially in SimCity 4.

Buttcleft

Simcity taunt me that if people piss you off to much its perfectly acceptable to unleash a volcano, tornado, toxic spill, nuclear disaster and an earthquake on them.

Aroduc

I'm pretty sure it's impossible to play almost any historical sim (Civ, Caesar, Total War, etc) without picking up -something-.

DebaserZbs

Aroduc wrote: »

I'm pretty sure it's impossible to play almost any historical sim (Civ, Caesar, Total War, etc) without picking up -something-.

Oh, absolutely. Civilization taught me a fair deal about foreign cultures and the seven Wonders of the World long before I entered middle school.

mxmarks

Comic Books and video games each taught me a huge amount of vocabulary. My parents read to me a ton when I was a kid, and as I got older I enjoyed reading, but loved comics and didn't mind really wordy games.

I cant think of any video game examples off the top of my head, but I know specifically the words Exodus, Onslaught, voracious and finding out what the phrase "To the victor goes the spoils" all came from comics books.

Its why I think if Scribblenauts was made 15 years earlier, it would have made my head explode.

The_Scarab

COD4 on Veteran taught me what the inside of an Xbox 360 controller looks like. Also my wall.

Steev

I mainly learned definitions of words.

I learned what a "deluge" was thanks to Faxanadu having a spell of that name. I also learned what "obsequious " meant thanks to Star Control II.

Unknown

This content has been removed.

UncleSporky

Playing RPGs from an early age has definitely broadened my vocabulary.

Also I learned from Metal Gear Solid how dominant and recessive genes work!

Renzo

UncleSporky wrote: »

Playing RPGs from an early age has definitely broadened my vocabulary.

Also I learned from Metal Gear Solid how dominant and recessive genes work!

Hahaha

The_Scarab

UncleSporky wrote: »

Playing RPGs from an early age has definitely broadened my vocabulary.

Also I learned from Metal Gear Solid how dominant and recessive genes work!

I LIVE ON.

IN

THIS

ARM

Buttcleft

The_Scarab wrote: »

COD4 on Veteran taught me what the inside of an Xbox 360 controller looks like. Also my wall.

there were several games for the nes and snes that gave me similar epiphanies, that was when I also learned to solder.

AJAlkaline40

UncleSporky wrote: »

Playing RPGs from an early age has definitely broadened my vocabulary.

Also I learned from Metal Gear Solid how dominant and recessive genes work!

Dude, that's not even funny :P.

gjaustin

Just about everything I know about cars is from playing Gran Turismo 3.

Otherwise, just a lot of random mythology and vocabulary. That and playing Everquest significantly increased my typing spead.

"Choo choo. Bard Train to zone!"

The_Scarab

Civ 1 - 3 basically got me an A in history all the way up to college.

TheKoolEagle

although not quite something i learned but playing videogames has given me the reflexes and hand eye coordination of a ninja,
my coworkers like to throw things at me while i'm working and i can generally catch it if i notice the object at least 3 feet away from me

Selner

Playing Wolfenstein back in highschool actually taught me German. Or rather, because of Wolfenstein I took German for my language elective because I wanted to know what they guys I was shooting were saying .

Various RPGs over the years have taught me a passing knowledge of various Mythologies; like Greek, Norse and Hindu. As the names for spells and monsters often come from there.

McDuderstein

I learned that war never changes.

UnbreakableVow

UncleSporky wrote: »

Also I learned from Metal Gear Solid how dominant and recessive genes work!

Dammit I was going to post this exact thing.

Can't think of any actual info I've learned from games (aside from the rock trivia glithert mentioned), but video games have definitely helped in expanding my vocabulary.

EskimoDave

I learned what dysentery is.

TheKoolEagle

EskimoDave wrote: »

I learned what dysentery is.

i also learned that killing as many bison as possible will have no effect on the species.

Dunxco

Mass Effect actually taught me some stuff about our solar system and has subsequently got me interested in astronomy. I might buy a telescope with my first paycheque.

Etiowsa

TheKoolEagle wrote: »

EskimoDave wrote: »

I learned what dysentery is.

i also learned that killing as many bison as possible will have no effect on the species.

Also, use a ferry whenever possible. Fording rivers will always end in tears...

SageinaRage

The most specific example I can remember is learning what ipecac is from Curse of Monkey Island.

I'm sure I learned a ton of vocabulary and things from games though.

Oh, I also learned that freezing a dead battery in liquid nitrogen can return some of the charge, from Runaway. Unfortunately, the game did not think it was teaching you this, it expected you to know it already.

Richard_Dastardly

McDuderstein wrote: »

I learned that war never changes.

I learned to love Louis Armstrong.

Lords of the Realm taught me that medieval battles consisted of a dozen guys with axes whacking at a dozen guys with swords.

And The Lurking Horror taught me how to use a microwave. I'm serious about that one. I was, like, eight.

UnbreakableVow

For me, the day Bison graced my village was the most important day of my life.

But for him...it was Tuesday.

BloodySloth

In a general way, games like the Oddworld series definitely shaped my imagination and influenced my artistic style as I grew up. I would call that learning.

Zephos

TheKoolEagle wrote: »

EskimoDave wrote: »

I learned what dysentery is.

i also learned that killing as many bison as possible will have no effect on the species.

and that even if you kill 3725 pounds worth, you'll only be able to carry 200 pounds back.

emnmnme

Cube clubs, dead goats at ancient Greek-themed parties, sponsored tournaments, the current E3 conventions, console shortages, free pack-in games, hiding severed body parts along streets of Britain with each severed arm holding a free copy of a game, and insulting your core audience in an attempt to be ironic.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dp460zM_PGA

I believe I have a slightly better understanding of what works in marketing and what doesn't thanks to the videogame biz.

Also, Nolan Bushnell has stated in a couple interviews that he feels games could do a lot more to teach kids. Instead of memorizing 150 Pokemon, why not memorize the types of critters in Madagascar or new dance moves or how to survive in the desert?

TK-42-1

UnbreakableVow wrote: »

For me, the day Bison graced my village was the most important day of my life.

But for him...it was Tuesday.

pro posting right here.

i learned a shitload of geography trivia from playing where in the world is carmen sandiego on my 486

emnmnme wrote: »

Also, Nolan Bushnell has stated in a couple interviews that he feels games could do a lot more to teach kids. Instead of memorizing 150 Pokemon, why not memorize the types of critters in Madagascar or new dance moves or how to survive in the desert?

isnt that what the 50cent game is for?

emnmnme

Oh yeah, who here has played Return to Mysterious Island on the PC.

You're shipwrecked on an island. Survive.

I learned how to make glue, gunpowder, and something about creating an electric charge with a lemon and copper.

Aumni

I have learned that video game communities are the coolest people 9/10 times. PA people in general cover a wide gambit of awesome.

That and aiming with the shotgun dead center to your chest is a bad idea. Doom guy, wtf man?

BlackDove

McDuderstein wrote: »

I learned that war never changes.

I learned that war has changed.

RainbowDespair

I learned how to type from old Sierra PC games. Also, like many others, my knowledge of history increased drastically thanks to the Civilization series.

ironsizide

I learned a bit about car control from endless hours of car racing sims. I've had a few hairy moments on the asphalt than could have been worse if muscle memory hadn't taken over.

RoyceSraphim

I learned to always map in my mind where I have just been. Thank you

Halo
Fear
Final Fantasy *
TMNT
Megaman
Super Mario Bros. 2
Morrowind
etc.
etc.

Aumni

BlackDove wrote: »

McDuderstein wrote: »

I learned that war never changes.

I learned that war has changed.

Metal Gear Solid Fallout?