It is though a very simplified mechanic, as @pherocity_ says (though FWIW the effects were made much more subtle in the later games). And it's fun to roleplay,

It is though a very simplified mechanic, as @pherocity_ says (though FWIW the effects were made much more subtle in the later games). And it's fun to roleplay, but the more you play, the more it's a just a case of how quickly you can read and manipulate the underlying patterns, as with all games. Brainwashing is a bit strong, though I do sympathise with your position somewhat. Very good read, deals with what your talking about: http://www.theoryoffun.com/ http://www.theoryoffun.com/ Randall Collins on Sandy Hook, talks a bit about use of video games: http://sociological-eye.blogspot.co.uk/2013/12/sandy-hook-school-shootings-lessons-for.html http://sociological-eye.blogspot.co.uk/2013/12/sandy-hook-sc... And on a lighter note, regarding video games and real life, Football Manager is possibly the most realistic-feeling game I (and a hell of a lot of other people) have played - here's Steve Gibson's response to an application for the vacant manager's position at Middlesbrough, the club he's chairman of: http://www.lettersofnote.com/2011/02/you-were-of-course-outstanding.html http://www.lettersofnote.com/2011/02/you-were-of-course-outs... NB: My Civ tactic of shooting for communism was simply to allow military units to be stacked in cities to reduce unhappiness, allowing massive military buildup to defend my civ while I poured money into science research. I did always feel for the poor sods in my cities, forced to either contribute to an all conquering soviet war machine or to work as research scientists and generate discoveries fast as possible (no, I am not building you a coliseum), but hell, I needed to win the space race/wipe out the Aztecs. I suppose it's easy to draw parallels with real life.