So, I'm wondering - has anyone else ever had a game or the hero of a game ever impact your life, to the point it changed your life and attitude in some way?

By this, I don't mean Gran Turismo making you want to speed in your Toyota down city streets, but more like become a role model for you?

The best way I can explain is by my own example:

My favorite hero turned role model is Adult Link, from Ocarina of Time. I never really associated with the previous versions of Link, but his story in OOT struck a chord with me. I didn't go all fanboy and start going to Comic Cons dressed up as Link or whatever, but it made me look at the world differently, and take up the ideals of courage, responsibility, and honor. It made me view all the world as Hyrule, waiting to be explored with adventures everywhere.

It did lead me towards the SCA (medieval re-enactment group) where I ended up becoming a pretty good archer, and decent swordsman (no joke!), which I now attend Pennsic War on a yearly basis and have my own reputation (mostly on the music and party scene! ;) ) I have quite an extensive contingent of friends from that.

I'd say that I credit about 60% of who I've become to Adult Link/Ocarina of Time. Yes, as  musician, I also did learn to play the ocarina decently well too. =)

So, how about you? Any game or character ever infulence who you've become/are becoming?

Noby Noby Boy taught me the importance of friendship and the laws of physics.

Do I really need to say who?

Big Boss from MGS.

I've grown my beard and started to act like a badass with everyone even with my boss, and i got a lot of respect from my friends/co-workers....weird!

Metroid Prime changed me from a casual gamer into a hardcore gamer.

WoW sealed the deal.

Link thought me to always look around as I might find a secret switch hidden somewhere that opens a new door for me

I'd say Solid Snake is the most influential character for me. When I first played MGS on the PS1 (and later MGS2 on the PS2) I was amazed by the character. The character sort of influenced me and how I saw the world. I don't take things at face value and I always look for the deeper meanings in things.

A second influential character is Kain from the legacy of Kain series. Man, that guy is cunning and deep. When I was a kid I always wanted to be ahead of my counterparts and did what I had to do in order to keep that edge (not in a Machiavellian way of course). Kain was always about staying a few steps ahead of his enemies.

I'll also say the Thief series brought on the habit of trying to sneak up on people, and to stick to the shadows when doing such, seeing how far I can go undetected. It's a game I play when I'm bored at work =D

I see a lot of MGS influences, I didn't have a PS2, going to have to go back and revisit them, sounds like there's a lot of awesomeness to be had there!

Do I even have to say anything?