This blog was inspired by a previous poster, and I would like to go further indepth with the topic. (A bit lengthy but worth a read)

Can Video Games really apply to real life skills?

According to researchers at the University of Rochester in New York, they seem to think so.

http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2003/05/0528_030528_videogames.html

The article can be summed up in one quoted paragraph.

"...people who play action video games can process visual information more quickly and can track 30 percent more objects than non video game players."

I was curious about this subject because I feel I have better map skills and sense of direction because of games.  I can't tell you how many times I opened up the map in the original Silent Hill to make sure I explored every room in the school and hospital to make sure I wasn't missing items.

This small article here lists skills that are tweaked due to video games including reading and map skills.

http://www.streetdirectory.com/travel_guide/104075/gaming/video_gaming_improves_learning_skills.html

Four years ago I was in a car accident.  On my way to go snowboarding, I struck a nasty patch of ice and lost control of my car going down hill.  At the time, I had been a fan of the Initial D Arcade racing series ($250+ spent on an arcade game).  I credit that game and other racing games with drift mechanics to my ability to walk away from my car.  The patch of ice forced me into a drift into oncoming traffic, and I counter steered the car and regained controlled but so suddenly fast, that the car went in the other direction, and I was heading off the road.  Rather than fighting for control again, I let the car spin and we backed into a tree.

There's proof here.

http://rides.webshots.com/album/238424703fVJqLd

Besides this, I've never been in a car accident.

The Armed Forces tend to think Gamers are great soldier recruits.  Check out this ad specifically targeting gamers.

I had a discussion with Sean about how the Army wanted to advertise on this very site but he rejected their offer. (Which I commend him for)

I remember going to my 14-year-old cousin's outdoor laser tag party and practically clearing out more than half their team by myself. (I was 22 at the time) I remember laughing about thinking his team was bad AI bots.

To conclude, I believe the obvious answer is yes, we can apply skills and instincts into real life that we learn in video games.  However, I doubt the day picking up a female AI character in a video game would EVER apply to real life.  :P  & to be fair, attract men as well.

FRicanKrazy - NoobTube.tv

P.S. Please leave your own personal experiences as comments. I'd like to hear them.