Techdirt: Video Games As Simulators

mike from Techdirt argues against the view that video-games like GTA are murder-simulators, and I heartily agree with him. Things that kids learn on-purpose through games (in the other examples he quotes, like learning to fly from flight simulators or drive from racing games) much more easily than they will learn subconsciously. However, it's interesting to note that these games (as well as almost all FPS) do get a childs mind to think in a very fluid, one-step-ahead of the mayhem kind of pathing. (very PK-like) In other words, the games are definitely training kids to choose their battleground, stay one step ahead of pursuers; essentially when to fly and when fight. The games teach kids how much to push a system and how not to get caught biting off more than they can chew. All of this education is great. Now it's up to the parents to ingrain in their kids that with great power comes great responsibility.

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