# Things you learned from video/computer games, not just related to playing same **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [February 12, 2004, 2:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-you-learned-from-video-computer-games-not-just-related-to-playing-same/228773 "2004-02-12T02:10:20Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![JoeSki](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/b487fb/32.png) [@JoeSki](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JoeSki)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2004, 5:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-you-learned-from-video-computer-games-not-just-related-to-playing-same/228773/21 "2004-02-12T17:34:08Z")
Metal Gear Solid tought me a few things. Most of the snipers in the world being women, about flashbangs, some other stuff. One thing games did was gave me an appreciation for reading. Reading all of the conversations and other things from Final Fantasy 7, 8, Star Ocean 2, and other RPGs was much more interesting than most other stuff I had tried to read. If it wasn’t for games, there are several great books I never would have read. Speaking of games, I just picked up Champions of Norrath. Anyone here have that? ---
**Author:** ![panamajack](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/47e85d/32.png) [@panamajack](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/panamajack)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2004, 6:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-you-learned-from-video-computer-games-not-just-related-to-playing-same/228773/22 "2004-02-12T18:37:49Z")
One more I just saw as a Jeopardy! question : The Mohorovicic Discontinuity, learned from **Total Annihilation**. ---
**Author:** ![Draelin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ce73a5/32.png) [@Draelin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Draelin)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2004, 6:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-you-learned-from-video-computer-games-not-just-related-to-playing-same/228773/23 "2004-02-12T18:49:15Z")
Thanks to Carmen Sandiego, I was the only person in my high school World History class that had ever heard of Andorra or San Marino. I’ve played countless trivia games and retained a surprising amount of information from those, as well. But more than anything else, I’ve learned that if you can pick it up and conveniently carry it, you’re going to need it later. ---
**Author:** ![rjung](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/45deac/32.png) [@rjung](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rjung)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2004, 7:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-you-learned-from-video-computer-games-not-just-related-to-playing-same/228773/24 "2004-02-12T19:50:24Z")
I learned a lot about the history of the development of the atomic bomb from Infocom’s **Trinity.** ---
**Author:** ![Rabid\_Squirrel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e0b2c6/32.png) [@Rabid\_Squirrel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rabid_Squirrel)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2004, 9:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-you-learned-from-video-computer-games-not-just-related-to-playing-same/228773/25 "2004-02-12T21:10:40Z")
GT3: Driving tactics, that convertables lack rigidity due to being roof-less, and the names of all the widgets. Where in the World is Carmen Sandiego: The capitals of various countries. Rainbow 6: Millitary tactics, and that looking at flashbangs is A Very Bad Thing. Jagged Alliance: Basic squad tactics. Dynasty Warriors 4: I learnt a lot about the 3 Kingdoms saga. Well, mostly from the text synopsis. I don’t think that each general could lay waste to 1000+ soldiers. Uplink: Basic hacking terms and techniques. I don’t even pretend to think of it as a realistic sim. There was a little bridge building simulator that I learnt a lot from too - can’t remember the name though… ---
**Author:** ![Engywook](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/bc8723/32.png) [@Engywook](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Engywook)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2004, 11:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-you-learned-from-video-computer-games-not-just-related-to-playing-same/228773/26 "2004-02-12T23:23:05Z")
**Tetris** - Every mistake makes the game harder. **Civilization** Wine is proof that God wants us to be happy. So are gems, furs, ivory, spices, and dyes. Any **Mario** game - White men _can_ jump. Any **Zelda** game - If you can’t figure it out, ask somebody who has done it before. Any **Metroid** game - Crappy bowlers should use Samus as a bowling ball. **Defender** on the Atari 2600 - Look for the trick. I suppose I should explain this last one: if you always shoot the bomber last and always fly with yer nose pointing left, you can have the worst reflexes and still breeze by a million points. ---
**Author:** ![lt180ml](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/90db22/32.png) [@lt180ml](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lt180ml)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2004, 11:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-you-learned-from-video-computer-games-not-just-related-to-playing-same/228773/27 "2004-02-12T23:52:59Z")
Learning video games teaches you how to eliminate bad habits. (If one of your bad habits is playing too many video games, you’re probably screwed.) No, really. Take GTA III for example; though nothing specifically bad will immediately occur if you crash head-on into a bus, it complicates things slightly. Discovering the sources of these sorts of complications and eliminating them makes life a lot easier. Also from GTA III: Any idiot can hold down the w key and go as fast as possible. The trick is to hit s at exactly the right time. ---
**Author:** ![interface2x](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/c0e974/32.png) [@interface2x](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/interface2x)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2004, 12:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-you-learned-from-video-computer-games-not-just-related-to-playing-same/228773/28 "2004-02-13T00:07:32Z")
I’ve learned a lot about various types of weaponry courtesy of SOCOM II. Oh, and I’ll second that bit about flashbangs. ---
**Author:** ![Michael\_Ellis](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/977dab/32.png) [@Michael\_Ellis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Michael_Ellis)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2004, 12:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-you-learned-from-video-computer-games-not-just-related-to-playing-same/228773/29 "2004-02-13T00:10:34Z")
**Civilization I, II & III** - Gandhi is a jerk, Zulus are a plague, nukes are **fun** , rain forests are evil, Joan of Arc is a skinhead, war for oil is necessary if you want to build modern weapons, and playing as Carthage rocks. **Aces of the Pacific** - Japan’s best fighter was the Ki-100, hands down. **Panzer Commander / Steel Panthers** - Shermans _can_ defeat Panthers and Tigers, but require judicious use of smoke screens and ambushes as close range. **Close Combat II** - Bazookas are your friend, 88s are your mortal enemy. **Silent Hunter / Aces of the Deep / Silent Service II** - Sometimes its easier to torpedo the escorts than it is to avoid them. ---
**Author:** ![Hail\_Ants](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/dc4da7/32.png) [@Hail\_Ants](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hail_Ants)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2004, 12:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-you-learned-from-video-computer-games-not-just-related-to-playing-same/228773/30 "2004-02-13T00:55:59Z")
Never being a sports fan, some 25 years ago I learned the basics of football from playing one of those original handheld electronic football games. I’m not talking Gameboy, I’m talking the ones with [just little red LEDs!](http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B00005BULI/103-2628490-5883048?v=glance&s=toys&me=A3UN6WX5RRO2AG&vi=pictures&img=14#more-pictures) ---
**Author:** ![emekthian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/ecae2f/32.png) [@emekthian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/emekthian)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2004, 1:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-you-learned-from-video-computer-games-not-just-related-to-playing-same/228773/31 "2004-02-13T01:41:49Z")
Final Fantasy 1- Always bring a first aid kit (or a white mage) whenever you go on a long journey. ---
**Author:** ![shijinn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/cc9497/32.png) [@shijinn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/shijinn)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2004, 8:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-you-learned-from-video-computer-games-not-just-related-to-playing-same/228773/32 "2004-02-14T20:50:46Z")
that i can’t be truly adventurous in real life - there is no option to save and reload… ---
**Author:** ![Yumblie](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/76d3ee/32.png) [@Yumblie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Yumblie)\ **Post date:** [February 15, 2004, 5:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-you-learned-from-video-computer-games-not-just-related-to-playing-same/228773/33 "2004-02-15T05:22:27Z")
I first learned about the legendary coelacanth through Gamecube’s **Animal Crossing** , along with the names of many other types of fish. And of course many deliciously bad puns involving fish. ---
**Author:** ![Darkhold](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/90db22/32.png) [@Darkhold](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darkhold)\ **Post date:** [February 15, 2004, 5:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-you-learned-from-video-computer-games-not-just-related-to-playing-same/228773/34 "2004-02-15T05:55:40Z")
**Ghost Recon** taught me 9 times out of 10 you have no idea where the bullet that kills you came from. **Hitman** taught me as long as I’m in the right suit nobody gives you a second glance. **Hitman 2** taught me if I’m in the right suit and running everyone will fill me full of holes without asking questions. ---
**Author:** ![RobuSensei](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/919ad9/32.png) [@RobuSensei](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RobuSensei)\ **Post date:** [February 15, 2004, 6:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-you-learned-from-video-computer-games-not-just-related-to-playing-same/228773/35 "2004-02-15T06:50:25Z")
From “Operator’s Side” for the PS2, I learned a lot of Japanese vocabulary, from the commonplace, like _jidohanbaiki_ (vending machine) and _hikidashi_ (drawer), to words like _kaenbin_ (Molotov cocktail) which I probably won’t need as much. Even my pronunciation improved, which was necessary for the voice recognition system to understand my instructions. Of course, the American version (to be entitled LifeLine, out in a month or so) won’t be useful in this regard, but… ---
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [February 15, 2004, 7:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-you-learned-from-video-computer-games-not-just-related-to-playing-same/228773/36 "2004-02-15T07:01:44Z")
I learned how American Football works by playing Joe Montana Football on the Sega Genesis (or Megadrive as it was in the UK). This wasn’t info actually available within the game, but I learned not to leave the bathwater running by playing Mario 3. (after the entire top floor of our house flooded because I got too engrossed in the game). I learned where Port Moresby is from _Carmen Sandiego_ . I learned from Mario Paint that any console peripheral that isn’t a pad, joystick, wheel, or gun, is a big honking waste of time. (See Super Nintendo Mouse) ---
**Author:** ![Ashtar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/9fc29f/32.png) [@Ashtar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ashtar)\ **Post date:** [February 15, 2004, 7:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-you-learned-from-video-computer-games-not-just-related-to-playing-same/228773/37 "2004-02-15T07:18:02Z")
Learned lotsa things from Metal Gear Solid and Metal Gear Solid 2. Most of them things which don’t have a whole lot of application in real day-to-day life, I suppose. The effects of diazepanate drugs, the history of cardboard, a little bit about different soviet-russian offices, the concept of gene therapy, and the effects of benzopyrene from cigarettes. ---
**Author:** ![raizok](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/4491bb/32.png) [@raizok](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/raizok)\ **Post date:** [February 15, 2004, 7:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-you-learned-from-video-computer-games-not-just-related-to-playing-same/228773/38 "2004-02-15T07:21:27Z")
Hmmph. I’ve learned some useful knowledge, such as the gameplay mechanics behind casino games (Hoyle Casino) and Pool (cue club). Thats practical knowledge. I’ve also learned what the hell is “offsides” after many years of ignorance through EA’s Hockey games. Hrrmph… what else, ehh I dunno. Leisure Suit Larry taught me how to get laid, thats about it. ---
**Author:** ![SolGrundy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/bbce88/32.png) [@SolGrundy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SolGrundy)\ **Post date:** [February 15, 2004, 7:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-you-learned-from-video-computer-games-not-just-related-to-playing-same/228773/39 "2004-02-15T07:30:57Z")
I literally learned everything I know about cities and the way they work from the **SimCity** series. Zoning, industrial & commercial versus residential development, ordinances, petitioners, bonds, utilities, NIMBY effects – they were all terms and concepts I’d heard mentioned before, but never understood until I had to use them. It also helps that _SimCity 2000_ had the best strategy guide ever written for a computer game – it wasn’t just about the game, but an introduction to the concepts behind city planning. Similarly (no pun intended), I learned from **The Sims** that everything I thought was a complicated series of actions and reactions in my daily life, could be reduced to six simple motives and a clock. I can’t say I really _learned_ anything from the **Monkey Island** series, except how to spell “Caribbean.” But it did put the age of piracy into perspective for me (I never played _Pirates!_). And of course, a lot of games give cultural exposure to Japan. The first thing I thought when I stepped out of the train station in Tokyo was “Wow, this looks _exactly_ like that first level in _Jet Set Radio_!” ---
**Author:** ![Doomtrain](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/0ea827/32.png) [@Doomtrain](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Doomtrain)\ **Post date:** [February 15, 2004, 7:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-you-learned-from-video-computer-games-not-just-related-to-playing-same/228773/40 "2004-02-15T07:32:36Z")
> [@Darkhold](#): > > **Ghost Recon** taught me 9 times out of 10 you have no idea where the bullet that kills you came from. Tell me about it. I’d often have to do the load-reload dance several times just to see where the bastards were shooting from. Here’s mine: _Civ3_-You actually CAN lose all feeling in your ass if you sit and play for 18 hours straight. Also, a guy with a spear can beat the snot out of a tank. And Don’t Trust Nobody. And there are some games that I just shouldn’t play. _Hunter: The Reckoning-Redeemer_-It’s possible for a woman to wear a corset that shoves her breasts up to her chin and thigh-high boots and STILL circle-strafe. _America’s Army_-Occasionally, the government can do something right. This was pretty fun. _Master of Orion 3_-Another game I just shouldn’t play (really, I sold my copy and cancelled my Games on Demand account). It’s possible for a glorified Excel spreadsheet to be really fun. _The Sum of All Fears, any other Red Storm game_-Trying to toss a flashbang into a room has about 50-50 odds of either going in the room or bouncing off the doorframe, blinding your team, and getting everyone killed. _Various Shooters_-Doors are devious things and not to be trusted. If they’re locked, only a flimsy little piece of plastic can open them. If you happen to be carrying a tank turret on your head that packs a 105mm cannon, the only thing it can do to a door is leave scorchmarks. _CounterStrike_-Snipers have been hated since the dawn of time. Indeed, when the British encountered American sharpshooters during the Revolution, it came as quite a surprise. “OMG!!! AWP WH0RE!!!”–General Cornwallis, 1778 _John Madden Football '96_-This is actually what made me into a football fan. Before, it was just a bunch of guys running around on a field. After Madden, it was a bunch of guys running around in different formations. _Madden 2K3_-General Manager mode can be more engaging than the game. Also, even the Bengals can come back from 80 points down. _Football Mogul 2003_-Effing salary cap! [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-you-learned-from-video-computer-games-not-just-related-to-playing-same/228773.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-you-learned-from-video-computer-games-not-just-related-to-playing-same/228773.md?page=3)