1. English, for sure. That was mainly before internet (and Fidonet), because nowadays hanging around in English speaking web forums and sites is definitely the most effective way to learn (written) English, not playing Gears or War or something similar.

2. To not be afraid tinkering with PC hardware and Windows. (If it wasn't for games, I'd probably had no reason to tinker much, besides maybe trying out Linux).

3. I've learned quite a few historical details from playing e.g. Age of Empires 1-2, and they sparked me to search for more information about certain historical characters etc.

In the school, I didn't find history a very interesting subject, as in the exams etc. it didn't feel much more besides learning important names and years. Even if I might not be able to tell when and where exactly Alexander the Great was born or died or I don't remember his parents' names, I still found it fascinating to read more about his life and battles, or Genghis Khan, or Attila the Hun, or or or... Man, those psychopaths really got to fulfil themselves in their lives!

4. Circle strafing and rocket jumping. I'm sure they'd be very useful in real life gunfights.

Games taught me that the path of most resistance is always the most rewarding.

Unless you're playing something like Tetris or Battletoads. Those are exceptions.

That skeletons and skulls who talk are actually very awesome things.

Logical thinking and optimization definitely, though depending on the genre. I also think that games increase one's spatial intelligence and ability to visualize things in 3d by a whole lot. Well, except for the walk forward-cutscene-walk forward-cutscene ones.

That I should punch or shoot anything that is flashing red:)

To always go for headshots.

Oh gosh! I've learned so many things from the BG series alone that I don't even know where to begin with. And then all the stuff everyone learns in Planescape: Torment! Only absolutely soulless folk could play that game and gain nothing from it thereafter.

After some thought, among all the things I've learned from playing video games, the thing I'll share here is if you're different in a perceived negative way (whether real or imagined on part of the general onlookers), no matter your reputation & accomplishments or even lack thereof, if you have unique skills, no matter if you're up or down, there will be absolutely no shortage of people that'll seek to manipulate you for their own ends, and use all kinds subtle & blatant of methods to do so.

I first learned that in BG2, and now I see it on a consistent basis in real life. It's amazing how such a situation tends to bring out the worst in most of those perceiving it, exposing their own weaknesses in doing so.

The main thing I got thereof is it's simply best to put such people under your foot; their necks directly under the bottom. For your own personal satisfaction.....and the greater good, of course! ;oD

guns are good

They don't getany achievements though.

Before nuclear war, i'll gather as many bottle caps i can.

wisdom

The funny thing about learning new English terms from games is that now I know many English words that I don't even know for sure what they are in my native language, I just know what the word describes and what it's used for. A bit like how a child learns new words.

E.g. the early FPS games (Doom etc.) taught me the term "strafe" and "strafing". Ok, apparently it has something to do with moving sideways, side-stepping. Not even sure if there is a Finnish word for it, nor whether it means something else besides what it's used for in FPS games.

Not to mention various aviation and air combat terms from flight combat simulators like pitch, yaw, roll, flaps... I have no idea what they are in Finnish, but I could try to explain to someone what they mean.

(Yeah, I could check Google translator, Webster or something...)

EDIT: Ok I did check Google. What the heck, 'strafe' has nothing to do with side stepping after all? According to google it is "tulittaa", which basically means "to fire a gun repeatedly (sustained fire)". Wow, how come the key/action which is used for side-stepping is called that?

On the other hand, "strafing" has something to do with moving sideways, according to Google (="sivuttaisliikkeeseen")... Another dictionary says "strafing" means certain kind of combat aeroplane (maataistelukone?). I'm confused now...

Lets see...

game design
system design
dos
windows
hardware
networking
troubleshooting
efficient goal oriented action
How to find bugs (whether I want to or not)
Atheism (seriously, religion had no hope against the might of the C64 and the Amiga)

Basically most of my life skills that don't involve where to poo or how to clean up afterwards.