TRUE TRUE but a reference card is always nice to have around. Thief and Freespace 2 in the box both came with beauty fold up ones. :D

Guybrush: At least I’ve learnt something from all of this.
Elaine: What’s that?
Guybrush: Never pay more than 20 bucks for a computer game.
Elaine: A what?
Guybrush: I don't know. I have no idea why I said that.

+1 for the generous giveaway. Yes, please count me in and Thank you!

Wisdom in video games? Not many attempt deep thoughts of any kind. I think the Myst/Uru journals were meant to provoke reflection on life choices (pride, elitism, the dangers of letting two power mad sons run loose in your domain) but it was rarely explicit (except for Yeesha's speeches.)

Mostly video games (especially adventure games & rpgs) show -

- That being a hero against the big, bad establishment is generally worthwhile overall, but it may cost you, or those you care about, very dearly. Disown or hide your loved ones before you go into combat or the Boss will be holding them hostage before you know it. (platformers, rpgs)

- Bad things happen/bad people can impact us, but when we rise above this we can change much in our world for the better (presuming we're not one of the red shirts lying on the ground already. In that case we'll be the ones inspiring the heroes to do great things.) (fps, action adventures, rpgs)

- That even if you are descending into death / madness, thoughtful speeches can leave a lasting impression on the world (mostly from everyone scratching their heads trying to figure out what you meant.) - (Dear Esther)

- Great determination, pluck, pure energy and really high jump / long glide will get the princess back/defeat the bad guys eventually (Mario, Spyro, Sonic etc)

- Even if you took over the whole world, you'd just end the game early. (Civilization 1)

- Observation, determination, intelligence, and resourcefulness can get you past most obstacles (Adventure games... and Dr. Who)

I'm saying that Empire Earth is garbage.

It wouldn't be the first time I was accused of loving garbage. :D

Personally I wouldn't be surprised if you were making love to garbage.

with all respect, your advice worth nothing , when there's no manual :p

I'm not in but most RPGs have helped teach me not to be overconfident. Level up, prepare yourself then do what you need to do.

I remember once in Morrowind, I purchased for myself a 2 handed sword that seemed at the time, very powerful. After that, I was traveling through the land and I saw ruins near the road. Then I saw a ghost looking wraith creature hanging out at those ruins. I was like "bring it bitch, my new 2 handed sword will put it down". I charged at it and attacked it. My sword was dealing no damage to this creature because I found out later, such creatures can only be damaged by silver weapons. Well the creature fought back and almost killed me. Fortunately I survived by running for the hills. There is a chance, this didn't happen in Morrowind but in Oblivion. My memory is not so good.

And once in Skyrim, I was overconfident and attacked a giant... He killed me with one swing of his club.

I'm in for Dungeon Defender.

SWTOR: If you don't believe in something you become an empty shell or a ravenous beast.

I wouldn't call it wisdom but intense gaming taught me many things:
a) its not a good idea to place a cup of ..... in close proximate to the keyboard.
b) Only to the next level....is self-deception
c) Your friends/family members sense that you are close to finish the near unbeatable final boss and choose
that critical moment to visit/phone you for moral support.
d) Don't trust someone who says that he never used a cheat in a game.
e) Don't ask for a cheat in a forum, you'll be noobed by others who miraculously never use a cheat (see above).
f) Going for a gaming session? Make sure you have stockpiled BPC (Beer, Pizza, Cigarettes) (can vary).

None, preferably, unless I'm really desperate. :P

Well, the best piece of wisdom I learned is probably that gaming 16 hours in a row can really screw my sleep schedule. I also learned that if I play an online shooter before going to sleep I have paranoid dreams, so it's not a good idea to do that.

Not in, BTW.

Not in.

- Being a PC gamer, I learned not to be afraid of computers, even trying to fix them myself. I'm unsure if I'd be in my current profession without PC gaming, could be that I would be something like a doctor or an used cars dealer instead.

- I increased my English vocabulary and reading skills quite a bit by playing adventure games in English. Thank god games are not localized here, nor movies are dubbed.

- I am another person who learned quite a bit of history by playing e.g. Age of Empires games. History never was my favorite subject at school (not because I have no interest in history, but my poor teachers made it feel like it is only about learning names and years by heart), and before AOE games I couldn't really tell the difference between Attila the Hun and Genghis Khan. Both were some mass murderers who raped and pillaged half of the world, probably from somewhere East.

- If I ever was on an airplane where the captain and co-pilots get a serious food poisoning, I would probably be the guy who'd try to land the plane according to the instructions from the radio, and having at least some understanding of the terms and what (basic) things to be aware of. The landing would probably still fail and we would all die (maybe even hitting the terminal or another plane on the runway, increasing the number of casualties), but at least rest of the passengers could live the last minutes of their life in an illusion that we have a chance after all. Never stop hoping, even when you're dying!

no problem, the give away just to add some fun. and remind myself to practice that.