'Colbert Report' recognizes Civ4's awesomeness

[VonSharma]

I don't know if our non-North American friends are familiar with the 'Colbert Report' (maybe you've heard of the related Daily Show with Jon Stewart from which it spun off of), but its possibly one of the most brilliant works of satire around on television today.

Anyways, in an interview with Steven Johnson, Steven Johnson basically attributes video games to the increase in intelligence of kids these days, specifically citing Civ4, a game in which 12 year olds take a civilization through economic and technological history. Although I don't know how many civ players are 12 year olds as he claims, it is awesome nonetheless.

you can see the interview if you choose

http://www.comedycentral.com/shows/the_colbert_report/videos/celebrity_interviews/index.jhtml

Just thought you guys would appreciate that. I got ultra happy when I heard Civ gettin its street cred out there, especially on the Colbert Report, which like I said, is fairly awesome.

[Prussia]

I often watch the Colbert Report, and I find Colbert to be hysterical.

I'm glad Stephen finnally saw the light.

But why do they think the only people who play video games are 12 year olds?

[Willem]

Originally posted by Prussia
But why do they think the only people who play video games are 12 year olds?

According to one web site someone pointed me to, the average age of gamers is about 30. I forget what the site was now though.

[VonSharma]

Yeah, i think that guy was trying to make a point to strengthen his argument in his book (don't know how much I agree with his argument, although there actual studies that point out that surgeons who play video games are better surgeons).
I figure the mean age in Apolyton, at least, is like 20

[Qwertqwert]

I've seen plenty of sites saying the average gamer is in their 20s or 30s (estimates range). I'm 15 however and I play it, so I'm sure there are some 12 year olds playing it.

There is a much stronger audience of 12 year olds though for The Sims.

[Will9]

I am watching the Colbert Report as I type. I really like Stephen's new American Flag (That was made in China ). I am very glad Civ4 was discused on the Report, but Stephen said it wouldn't be fun .

Also, Prussia since when did the Cobert Report air in Hannover. That is one of the resons I don't think your from Hannover. The the other is that Hanover is in Germany not Austria.

[rjwoer]

I saw that show. It was neat to hear him talk about Civ IV, although I thought it a bit absurd that he categorized it as a game 12 year olds play. I mean, sure they do, but come on: most of us are of drinking age. Right?

[Prussia]

Originally posted by Will9
Also, Prussia since when did the Cobert Report air in Hannover. That is one of the resons I don't think your from Hannover. The the other is that Hanover is in Germany not Austria.

REEEAAAALLLLY? Then I must be in the wrong country then, huh?!

The answer is that I am actually American, my father is Austrian, and I happen to be in Hannover, Germany for the World Cup.

And how would you know they don't get Comedy Central in Germany? Ever heard of sattelites?

AND FOR YOUR INFORMATION, there IS a town in Austria called Hannover, I've been there.

[Will9]

Originally posted by Prussia

And how would you know they don't get Comedy Central in Germany? Ever heard of sattelites?

AND FOR YOUR INFORMATION, there IS a town in Austria called Hannover, I've been there.

I figured that most Germans wouldn't want American TV. Also, Hannover, Austria must be small because I'm having trouble finding it. Could you tell me what part of Austria it's in so I can know where to zoom in.

[Tattila the Hun]

There's a Hanover in Africa, and in S America... There's also a Paris in Tennessee, another in Texas, Mexico in Missouri, Moscow in Washington State, and Waterloo in Iowa.

And there's a Republican river running through Nebraska.

And a Matterhorn-mountain in Nevada.

Can't you people come up with new names?

[Urban Ranger]

Originally posted by Tattila the Hun
Can't you people come up with new names?

Like, uh, New Orleans?

[Adagio]

Originally posted by VonSharma
Anyways, in an interview with Steven Johnson, Steven Johnson basically attributes video games to the increase in intelligence of kids these days, specifically citing Civ4, a game in which 12 year olds take a civilization through economic and technological history. Although I don't know how many civ players are 12 year olds as he claims, it is awesome nonetheless.

I played Civ1 when I was 9-10, so there's probably a lot of 12 year olds playing it too... though the average Civ player is probably in the mid 20's

[trev]

When my son was about 8, he was playing civ1 and civ2. In general his reading ability was well below par, and had trouble reading 1 syllable words, but he could read words like industrialization, corporation, democracy etc which he needed to read to play the game well. His reading was so bad because he hated reading and refused to read books, but playing civ advanced his reading considerably. I have serious doubts whether the same benefits can be gained from civ4 though, the game is much more complex and too hard to understand for 8yo kids.

[Prussia]

Originally posted by Will9


I figured that most Germans wouldn't want American TV. Also, Hannover, Austria must be small because I'm having trouble finding it. Could you tell me what part of Austria it's in so I can know where to zoom in.

Hannover, Austria is in Salzburg, but yes, it is very small.

No, most Germans do not get American channels, but they do get English channels, and some of them have American Shows.
I'm not quite sure about Comedy Central, though.

[Blaupanzer]

Originally posted by VonSharma
I figure the mean age in Apolyton, at least, is like 20

I suspect it's a lot higher than that, even with all the 12-16 year-olds actually playing the game. A bunch of us on the site are real "geezers" (i.e., over 50).