Game Skillz

Television, Movies Games and Books Games & Toys
#1

An Anime Movie got me thinking about this, it had something in there that has always annoyed me when I see it movies. The first time it was in ‘Bloodsport’ where Vandamme is able to kick another guys ass in Karate Champ even though he has never seen the game before, because ‘he is a martial artist’. Bullsh#t Then again in ‘Nightmares’ with a young Emilio Estevez, but the worst offender was probably ‘Iron Eagle’.

Anyways the question I am posing is ‘Do real skills translate to gaming skillz, and do gaming skillz translate to real skills.’ I say NO! At best flight sims could be considered ‘prepping’ for the real thing, but no substitute for real flight time.

I knew three ‘Masters’ of Mortal Kombat, the kind of guys that could walk into an arcade and beat anyone on the machine. They could hold their own against all challengers for hours… Did it make them ‘bad asses’ in the real world? Hell no, an anorexic 12 year girl could beat those boys up, puleeez… I don’t care how good you are at Street Fighter flicking your wrist and shouting “SONIC BOOM!” Is not going to scare a mugger away, he is going to beat your ass down… once he stops laughing.

And if you are a Martial Artist, that does not mean you can utilize your hard earned skills on a game controller. They have nothing in common, it makes no sense. If I were a UFC celebrity and some snot nosed little punk walked up and said, “I bet I can beat you,” and then handed me a game controller. You know what I would do? I would BEAT HIM WITH THE CONTROLLER, literally. Better you learn the life lesson early brat…

If games are so wonderful at teaching kids skills then maybe the DMV should issue Learners Permits for children with high scores on Burnout and Need for Speed. For those of you reading this who are really good at racing games, do you think you could do as well in a real racing car? Do you totally rock at drifting? Have you tried in your own car? Maybe you should rent a nice sports car and give it a try… just don’t let them know the real reason you are renting it, they might throw you out the door; into the grass if they are nice. And maybe if your karma is good you won’t land in the dog poop.

Those kids who excel at FPS games, if we gave you a SAW and dropped your ass in Afghanistan how long do you think you would last? “Where are the med kits? Where is my save point?” The reverse is true, a pistol champion is not going to master DOOM or Return to Castle Wolfenstien in an hour either.

Sim’s, strategy games, puzzle solving and word games are the only ones I have found to be of any real use (in other words more than a mere distraction). And mostly because they make you think, anything that exercises your mind is good.

You want to learn to fight? Go to a Dojo. You want to learn to shoot? Go to a range, join a shooting club. You want to learn to drive fast? Take lessons at your local race club, there is always one wherever there is a professional track. Fly? Take lessons and or go to an Aerial Dogfighting School and really dogfight your friends.

Real is always better. Sorry if this came off as a lecture, it was meant more to make you think. How did we get so closed off as a society? Why do I never see kids chasing each other with wooden swords, or plastic guns and playing for real any more?

Maybe because it is easier to trash talk when the other person isn’t standing right in front of you… (but, that is a matter for another thread):slight_smile:

#2

IMO, two totally different skillz sets.

I can’t play baseball video games but IRL I ain’t too shabby. I get my butt kick in them fighting video games, as well. IRL…well…let’s just say I’m crafted at the art of the flying scissor-kick.

I’ve got pretty good hand-eye since I can hit an 80mph fastball but I guess my fingers ain’t too nimble. Once the joystick progressed passed the Atari 2600, I was done.

#3

Real is definitely better. I’ve very much been into games as a hobby since I was a kid and especially from around 14 on. But to me a true game is made of cardboard, paper and dice—and maybe some cool playing pieces to move around.

I’ve played computer games and had tons of fun with them (Command and Conquer, Civilization to name a couple.), but nothing beats of the fun and social interaction of sitting around a table playing strategy game, a family game a card game, a massive 1000 piece wargame or an elaborate paper and dice Role Playing Game.

All that said, that kind of gaming is, let’s face it, on it’s death bed. The next generation is unlikely to pick up the torch.

#4

Ah yes, the joy of boardgaming and marathon Roleplaying sessions. I hope you are wrong on the last part… Some parents are passing the torch to their kids, DragonCon and the other gaming conventions give me hope.

#5

Obviously game skills dont translate to real life skills. But you’ll continue to see it in movies so long as they feel it serves the film.

#6

but nothing beats of the fun and social interaction of sitting around a table playing strategy game, a family game a card game, a massive 1000 piece wargame or an elaborate paper and dice Role Playing Game.

All that said, that kind of gaming is, let’s face it, on it’s death bed. The next generation is unlikely to pick up the torch.

Yes and no. Setting in a room and playing a game with friends is less common, but think about how much more socal video games are now. Also, there are plenty of times I have sat in a room with friends and all played a video game.