On: How 'Factorio' seduced Silicon Valley and me

[r3trohack3r]

Being someone who grew up on these games, I often think of the steep trade offs I made in childhood playing them.

If I’d spent all the time playing Guitar Hero playing an actual guitar instead, I’d be a real guitar hero.

I could also be a pro skater.

[zackbrown → r3trohack3r]

On the other hand, video games enable a wide breadth of intellectual experiences.

Being a simulated guitar hero and simulated pro skater is more enriching than the likely baseline of having zero experience with either.

And, video games can help in discovering real world passions — the number of guitarists who found their inspirational spark through Guitar Hero is likely significant. Same for Factorio or Minecraft -> programming.

[craz8 → r3trohack3r]

If I could have got a steady hand with tweezers, I could easily have been a surgeon. Real patients probably don’t have noses that light up, which reduces distractions too!

[toast0 → craz8]

My malpractice insurance payments would be through the roof. I'm pretty sure I managed to lose leg bones inside the patient.

[the_gipsy → r3trohack3r]

Maybe you would have tortured yourself and still wouldn't be any good.