From Pong to Credit Scores?

I can clearly remember it. The day I saw my first video game. My sister and I sat there, circa 1977, in our plaid pants and stripped shirts in front of the large, and I mean LARGE , television at my grandfather's house. And we sat and we sat (as we waited for the tube to warm up). Finally, my uncle connected a little box with two dials on it to the set. Then it happened, two lines appeared on either side of the television screen and a little dot began to bounce back and forth - back and forth - back and forth. Pong. For those of you a bit younger - take a trip back in time here.

A lot has changed in the world of video games since then (for better or for worse). I can still remember Christmas 1985 when I got a Colecovision. Now it's high definition online gaming with so many buttons and controllers that it causes my aging eyes to twitch just looking at kids playing them.

Everything has a video game now; from children's television shows to the latest movie - chances are there's a video game based on it. Now, even the US Department of the Treasury has entered the world of gaming with an interactive "game" designed to help 18-24 years old learn more about managing credit. Visit http://www.controlyourcredit.gov/ and see if you can work your way to room 850 of the Bad Credit Hotel. On the site you interactively:

* Lounge around the lobby and get advice about managing debt;
* Crack a book in the library to learn about credit history;
* Learn the details (grace periods, fine print, annual fees, and more) about credit cards before getting into bed with a creditor; and
* Work to room 850 - the perfect credit score deserves the perfect room. Once you get used to the perks, you'll never want to leave.

Madden '09 it's not - but it might just be worth your time.