So I've been thinking about this recently.

Everytime I have a serious issue in life, and talk to someone about it who doesn't play games or someone who is a casual gamer, they don't seem very sympathetic or understanding about it.

However, when I talk to someone who is a consistent video game player, their responses are sincere/simpathetic and seem well thought through. And about 90% of the time, the advice they offer helps.

Do you think that potentially us gamers can connect and sympathize with people easier?

Sorry, but no I don't think there's much of a correlation. It is unfortunate but perhaps some of these people you know just aren't all that great of people, if they're that unsympathetic or empathic to others' problems or concerns. There's also something to be said for the fact that many gamers (ie "nerds") are socially awkward or even socially "retarded" (in their own words), and thus they might be less empathetic, at least outwardly, because for whatever reason they just don't know how to deal with other people or handle other people's emotions.

For that matter, I've run into a lot of gamers (especially on forums) who are some of the biggest douch-nozels you'll ever meet in your entire life. Just saying.

I'd like to think that most intellectuals and creative types (artists, etc.) are more empathic, but even that doesn't hold true in my personal experience. I really think it just is a case by case kind of thing.

no.

The evidence is on this site. Look at all the doom threads. if there was any correlation between gamers and empathy then we would see it here.

If anything I know more gamers than non gamers who are more arrogant and come off less sympathetic because they think they are the master race.

Au contraire.

People who play GTA to have fun being an ass (without a reason) to NPCs that don't have a chance in a fight are more emphatic? Or those who love insult-filled gunfights? No.

I find gamer to be more intelligent, but not empathetic

hahahaha no seriousry

You're finding "your kind of people" to be more likeable/empathetic, and "not your kind of people" to be less so. This is standard group psychology, move along.

I think the opposite.
Gamers use less emotion and more logic than non-gamers do. Therefore the solutions given are more helpful but less in line with social norms, making the gamer seem like an idiot.