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Video Games saving lives now?

April 16, 2008 in News comments 23

GamesRadar has taken the time to bring us a story on those times in life where the lives of people have been saved by their video game experience. Many of them cite games that allow you to drive cars, such as GTA and Gran Turismo, as their life savers as they correctly taught them what to do in rare driving situations.
To view what others have used from games to save their lives go to the source.

Can the make-believe playgrounds of gaming really be classrooms teaching the art of self preservation? Yes they can. And the stories we've gathered here are the proof. From the slightly light-hearted to the very deadly serious, this is the evidence that videogames really can save lives.

"Grand Theft Auto saved me from a potentially serious accident"


Blogger Dan Johnson-Weinberger (pictured right) recounted how a personal near-nasty automotive mishap convinced him that Grand Theft Auto was "the best drivers education course in the World." Having played GTA III "quite a bit" Johnson-Weinberger learnt that the quickest way to stop a vehicle in game was to hit the brake and pull the emergency brake - a skill that ultimately saved his real life from a very "potentially serious accident".

This is how Johnson-Weinberger explains what happened: "So one day I'm driving back from Springfield (before I found the only civilized way to travel on Amtrak) in a winter storm. I'm driving up an entrance ramp too quickly and I start to spin out, skidding sideways up the ramp and in danger of rolling off the ramp. The foot brakes are useless, as I'm fishtailing wildly. Instinctively I reach for the emergency brake and pull it, cutting my fishtail radius in half instantly and I come to a calm stop, perpendicular to the ramp.

"Hours of playing Grand Theft Auto had trained me to pull the emergency brake when I lose control of the car."

To read Dan Johnson-Weinberger's account in its full context, visit his blog, Progressive Advocacy.
theundertakergonzo via gamesradar.com »
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Most recently commented on by on Apr 19, 2008

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  • 2
    King X2 Apr 17, 08
    Any circumstance in which a video game saves lives is pretty damn cool. I guess kids can run this by their moms next time they deem those GTA games "worthless violence"
    • 0
      Kazooieman Apr 19, 08
      But worthless violence is fun!
  • 0
    Storm* Apr 17, 08
    Games save lives every day. Many face that dreadfully contagious disease known as 'boredom' after all.

    That moose story is relating to AoT? Haha, I'm surprised that worked.
  • 0
    Paper Mario Dude Apr 17, 08
    Video games saved my life too, i see loads of new vocaubluary in all games helps me expand on it. i actually had a quiz just yesturday with 20 words from video games i recently played ( can't remember em. lol) i got a %100 and brought my 66% to a 82%.
    I <3 Videogames
    • 0
      Lord_80 Apr 17, 08
      It is actually spelt, "Vocabulary". Also, its "yesterday". Video games MAY have taught you some new words. But damn you suck at spelling them.
  • 0
    Synergized Apr 17, 08
    Video games teach people lessons when they play. Sure, there's false information on how psychics work, etc., but many studies have proven that video games can be positive and negative.
  • 0
    Capn Droid Apr 17, 08
    I love these sort of stories. They're always so unexpected and make me more proud that I play video games.
  • 0
    TurMoiL911 Apr 17, 08


    I remember that one person at the end. The one who played America's Army and used the medical tutorial in that game and actually saved someone's life. I think that was posted on GameGrep before.
  • 0
    Final Blade Apr 17, 08
    I doubt video games saves lives, its just a hobby.
    • 0
      Ameer Apr 17, 08
      You don't think that skills learnt within video games can't be translated into the real world? Ffs Final Blade, get a clue.
      • -2
        Final Blade Apr 18, 08
        You also have to put atmosphere and pressure in situations irl.

        Please tell me what skills your referring to?
        • 0
          Ameer Apr 19, 08
          Read the *bleep*ing article. It tells you.
        • 0
          Shadow of Death Apr 19, 08
          TBH Ameer, I've pretty much given up on Final Blade making use of basic reading skills, or exercising simple comprehension skills >_>

          @Final Blade....Put it this way....Information learned in books can certainly help people. Videogames actually give you visual aides....Seeing it in action, would help you put it in practical application, even if you haven't actually physically done it.

          (Yeah, I'm still trying to explain stuff to FB....Kind of futile, I suppose)
    • 0
      TurMoiL911 Apr 17, 08
      Wait, didn't this article just show that they sometimes do ?

  • 0
    Rusty Bucket Boy Apr 17, 08
    Video Games have made me the man I am today...
  • 0
    Gray Shadow Apr 17, 08
    That's pretty cool. Video games help my knowledge but I've never been in a life-death situation where the knowledge saved my life.
  • 0
    Lord_80 Apr 18, 08
    yeah it could all be in the mind. i don't think they save lives. well actually come to think of it, if someone by the name of sephiroth ever tried to destroy the world. i think i could step up and help out a bit.
  • 0
    Akashi Apr 18, 08
    So games are starting to reach new heights eh.... There starting to save lives.=0


    I guess this is a good thing as people wont just be saying there a waste of time.
  • 0
    Zeon I Apr 19, 08
    There we go. Video Games are finally getting credit for making lives better.
  • 0
    ShinyMilotic Apr 19, 08
    Most video games do some good, but there is also the bad like causing child obesity.

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