Thread: Is AMD Comparable to Intel Right Now?

thecarchik writes "Racing video games: many of us play them and love them. But do they really make us better drivers, as some say, or do they make us more dangerous on real-life tarmac? Two studies go head-to-head on the issue."

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I have to lean towards yes, it makes you a safe driver if that is what you wish to gain from it. No video game is exactly like the real thing, main factor begin the risk in real life of driving on the edge of control. But you can learn a thing or two in the virtual world and apply it to real life.

All that said laying down lap times on a track is nothing like driving on the street with a million other people who probably aren't paying attention to the road. I've always felt much safer on a track doing 80-120mph than I ever did when I'm driving in traffic. Lets not forget the deer, and the dogs, and the kids wandering around just waiting for you to come a long and run them over. Spend enough time on the road and you'll eventually have an accident even if your that little old lady that goes 12mph (in that case you'll probably be causing a lot of them).

One more thing: If you haven't had the chance to play GT or other driving simulators with a high quality force feedback wheel, good pedals with a clutch, and a real stick you haven't even experienced those games. When I made the switch from the controller it was a whole new world, first time I crossed train tracks at 120mph I ended up right in the ditch.

Racing games do not make us safer in normal every day driving. What we do in racing games should NOT be applied to driving on public roads so I don't see how it can make us safer. Besides, controlling a vehicle of zero expense ($$) with a controller is completely different than being in the real thing.

MOVIES make idiot unsafe drivers out of some. I can't count how many idiotic ricers with fart pipes I see racing, peeling out, or attempting a terrible drift. You can build your car to look like the ones in the movies but drive like they do is idiotic. I'll always remember the little farting honda that pulled up to my long-armed lifted jeep cherokee a couple years ago. He glanced over at me and revved up his little 4 banger road hugging p.o.s, trying to get me to a challenge. All i did was roll down my window and shouted: "dude I can crawl up your windshield". He took off, peeling out trying to be all that and show off the torque of those little 90 horses.....LMAO.

On the other hand, I feel the experience in reality aids in being a better driver in video games. For instance, there are a couple off road games out there that I excel with right off the bat because I know how to work the rigs in off road environments. I've been wheeling with jeeps for years so I can apply what I know from there into the games. My buddy and I used to play an off road game with trucks and I would beat him 10 out of 10 times, and we just got the game, because I could predict how the vehicle would react in certain conditions and keep it in control. He had zero experience off road. There was a similation type off road game for the pc that I downloaded back in college and it was quite like the real thing. You could manage your buggy or jeep up crazy hills if you knew what you were doing. I was able to conquer most of the challenges because I knew which gear and whether low or high range 4 wheel drive was required. If you just put it in 4-hi and mashed the pedal, you would just wreck or get stuck.

I have a perfect driving record and zero tickets in the 15 years I have been driving because I drive safely. I don't neglect stop signs and lights, I don't race, i don't peel out, and I don't go over the speed limit.