In my experience, it was much easier to learn to drive thanks to my experience with videogames. After years of picking up new control systems, learning to drive an actual car was of little challenge. Same thing when I made the transition from automatic to manual transmission. It’d be interesting to see some research into how easily people pick up and learn new interfaces. I think it’s also part of what separates “computer people” from “non-computer people”.
I think it continously ingrains a certain type of “testing the waters” process:
1) Find an operation you can perform
2) Is it likely to cause permanent damage? If yes, goto 1.
3) Perform that operation a few times
4) See how it combines with the other operations you have already mastered
5) Repeat
I don’t think it’s something inherent to video games as a medium, it’s just the most common activity that requires you to learn a new interface every few weeks if not more often. Professional tools of any kind will strive to retain a familiar feeling, and everyday tools like household appliances, cars, or cellphones don’t get replaced nearly as fast.
(Sorry, bit of a tangent there)
It’s OK, this is rapidly turning into LW’s General Videogame Thread anyway.
I bet video games make you a better driver by forcing you to develop situational awareness.
In my experience, it was much easier to learn to drive thanks to my experience with videogames. After years of picking up new control systems, learning to drive an actual car was of little challenge. Same thing when I made the transition from automatic to manual transmission. It’d be interesting to see some research into how easily people pick up and learn new interfaces. I think it’s also part of what separates “computer people” from “non-computer people”.
(Sorry, bit of a tangent there)
I think it continously ingrains a certain type of “testing the waters” process:
1) Find an operation you can perform 2) Is it likely to cause permanent damage? If yes, goto 1. 3) Perform that operation a few times 4) See how it combines with the other operations you have already mastered 5) Repeat
I don’t think it’s something inherent to video games as a medium, it’s just the most common activity that requires you to learn a new interface every few weeks if not more often. Professional tools of any kind will strive to retain a familiar feeling, and everyday tools like household appliances, cars, or cellphones don’t get replaced nearly as fast.
It’s OK, this is rapidly turning into LW’s General Videogame Thread anyway.