A Better Realm of Understanding

[random_bars]

Brutal Legend got me into metal.

Costume Quest revived my love of Halloween that I had as a kid that gradually faded as I got older.

 

[Irridium]

The Civilization sparked my interest in history.

I'd spend hours just reading the Civopedia(think thats what its called, can never remember), and then surfing the web for more info on history.

 

[binvjoh]

Through Deus Ex I learned that it's hard to always be a good guy.

Bit cheesy, I know.

 

[Neverhoodian]

Before playing World War II shooters, I didn't know the difference between a Thompson and an MP-40. I learned the names of these and many other firearms from the games, which piqued my curiosity. After doing a bit of research, I now know the general performance and characteristics of these weapons as well.

 

[Gindil]

I know this is gonna sound really cheesy, but DJ Hero gave me a chance to appreciate a lot of different kinds of music I never really gave a chance.

I'd always seen hip-hop as boring, repetitive, inappropriate music that just sucked, but some of the mixes in the game just opened my eyes to the good stuff. Same with electronic/techno music, now it's one of my favorite genres.

The only thing it didn't do is make me like rap. I mean, that entire Jay-Z playlist was just horrible.

Trust me, I don't like a lot of rap myself, but the Grey Album [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VXhRs5nspxc&feature=related] (mix of Beatles and Jay-Z) is still a great album that shows a lot of diversity.

 

[ComicsAreWeird]

Sient Hill made me check out more intelectually demanding movies...like stuff from David Lynch and Lars von Trier.

 

[Trivun]

Hmmm.. well, back when the Tony Hawk series was actually good it did get me more interested in skateboarding. Not enough to get out there and do it but I definitely appreciated it more.

Also, drums in Rock Band. I always knew that drumming in the vein of Neil Peart would not be easy, but I had no idea even relatively simple beats and rhythms from your average song would require as much as they do. I would have never gained the appreciation I have for it, or the very limited skill I'm slowly trying to develop, had I not played Rock Band given that real drum kits are so large, loud and expensive.

Hmmm, regarding drums, I have to say drumming in Guitar Hero: World Tour is what got me so interested in learning the drums in the first place. Somehow I seemed to have a knack for it when playing the game, last New Year a friend of ours brought his PS3 and his entire band set for the game with him when my family had a party and we all got in on it. I'd never played it before, and had no knowledge of how to play the drums, but gravitated to that instantly and people were actually saying how good I was and how naturally I'd picked it up. Anyway, that (apparent talent and) new appreciation of the instrument has given me a desire ever since to learn the drums properly.

Just two problems. I can't afford to buy a kit, and I live in a flat with two other people and fairly thin walls between flats, so I can't exactly set one up and practice in my place. Maybe when I get my own flat and have somewhere quieter to practice, and can afford it. Still, I wonder if there are any music shops near me (Leeds, UK) that allow you to try instruments out in the store...?

 

[Fat Hippo]

Just about anything: History, Science (Fiction), Fantasy, Vampires, Architecture, Music, Religion etc. Is there anything games haven't made me more interested in?

 

[Outright Villainy]

Way back after tony hawk's 2, I took up skateboarding. I was by no means good: I couldn't ollie or that, but I was able to skate down my slide at home, and I was able to use quarter pipes (maybe 4-5 foot high) and roll ins (well over 6-7 foot high) without braining myself.

So I was pretty good at staying on the board and not dying, at the very least.

 

[Rouse]

All the games out there with monsters, angels, demons with names you do know have an origin far before the game was made.
Stuff like Behemoth, Death, Thor, Medusa, Harpy, Basilisk, Succubus, Thanatos etc etc etc...

I got interested in where do they come from and what are they outside the game, origins and myths, demonology etc. It's quite interesting, tho people who write about these stuff tend to believe too much and get really freaky.
It's really interesting where the things actually come from and how they've changed in people's eyes thanks to video games and films. Talks more about people and what they want to see.