So you think that playing games like Team Fortress 2 or Left 4 Dead is just supposed to be fun, huh? Well..you're right, actually. But the technology that powers both games and others, the Source engine from developer Valve, is being used by an UK university to help save lives.

According to a new story at the BBC web site, Durham University have created a Source engine-based mod to look like one of the school's department buildings. The virtual building is set on fire in the mod and the school is using it to train people to best learn how to operate if a real fire was taking place. The story states that they went with the Source engine because "modifying a video game was faster, more cost effective, and had better special effects." And the option to put in zombies if they really wanted to....