Computer Games

I know computer games are very popular pastime for many people and for some it could be a obsession for life. There is also a big industry around it. Recently I was introduced to a new game called 'Age of Empires'. It is a simple strategy game in which you build your empire over thousand years using various resources such as food, technology, army etc. I enjoyed playing it, although for some reason I could not get obsessed with it. May be I am simply lacking the winning spirit that is oft spoken about.
I tried the 'Civilization' game and was able to progress with lot of engineering advances over few thousand years, but apparently failed to build good military in all occassions. Imagine, if I had been a leader of a tribe, maybe we would gone in history as most advanced nation with no recorded achievements. :-)
Somehow I could not get myself attracted towards the computer games. I know it has its own following. The earliest one 'Pacman' (DOS PC fame) to present day 'Age of Empires' have engaged gaming enthusiasts over a period of time. I once studied Game Theory in college, making assumptions about people behaviour based on rationality and common knowledge is a primary constructional pattern for many games. Of course modern day PC games have lot more graphics and really intelligent engines. This obviously leads to the personal pride issues, such as winner of Game X and winner who has reached level Y in certain game.
Strategy games differ in terms that more than killing enemies or navigation of fast bikes these games require the players to think beyond what is obvious. For some it might be challenging (well no offense but for some, even chase is a challenging game !), but in essence it is simply hierarchical thinking by infusing some rationality in it. Arguments can be made in favour of both sides. Some game enthusiasts would argue that they have better hierarchical thinking abilities than rest. However I know for a fact (er..well the people I know who play these games, i.e. 4 for now) that so called 'game enthusiasts' eventually download the 'cheat codes' for the game and simply try to win the game. (Time for philosophical thought of the day: Is modern society forcing this attitude in people, to win at whatever cost?)
At one point of time I thought having knowledge of Game Theory and nuts-n-bolts of these games would kill my enthusiasm in playing these games (which I now realise has done some damage...), but observing people downloading the 'cheat codes' makes me think that probably I was right in staying away from these games all along.
a. I have no obsessive compulsion disorder to win a game.
b. I have not wasted my time on PC games (well, I have wasted my time on lot many other things.. but not PC games)
I see many college kids playing these games on internet. I wonder how many of them would care about the Game Theory or the engines of the games. Maybe I am just getting too old.

Parting thought, real complicated games are the easiest to design...:-)