Comments | regisman: Competitive Games

regisman

Competitive Games

Apr 21, 2004 19:30

A couple of recent conversations, games, and LJ entries have led me to think a bit about the way I play games. Basically, I always play to win. I'd rather have a game be intense, difficult, stressful, and time-consuming, with all players working hard to beat the others than be laid-back and amusing. That's not to say that the latter doesn't have ( Read more... )

Comments 12

willskyfall April 22 2004, 11:43:56 UTC

Count me among the competitive: I tend to appreciate games where one plays to win more than lightly paced games. I think that the vast potential of energy that can be applied towards Victory is one of the great gifts of the human race.

(Which is not to say that competition doesn't come with a price. But I consider the benefits of the competitive drive to outweight the risks.)

In my book, however, some actions taken in the pursuit of Victory have effects far outside the scope of the original contest. The drive to win must be balanced with an appreciation for the consequences of pursuing victory by any means necessary.

If I wanted to always win at Starcraft, for example, I'd install a map hack on my computer, and always know what my opponent was doing. It would be hard, given my current skill level (which is not Tristan-level, but is also not too shabby) to lose while doing this, and if I played with people on B.net who might never play me twice, I might actually get away with it. But it would have many side-effects:

If it ( ... )

willskyfall April 23 2004, 14:26:24 UTC

For the record, I'm not accusing you of anything, Dan. The above post was more erudite and thought-provoking in my head than on paper.

I guess it's a distinguishment between "cutthroat" and "out of line," and it really depends on the competition, the people involved, and a number of other psychological aspects. It's a subject that I've been struggling with for a while now (a universal excuse for ethics/morality), and it sorta happened to creep into the above.

Actually, I wonder if this place [Mudd] is extra-hard on people who play to win. Suddenly, winning just got a lot harder and a lot more subjective.

regisman April 23 2004, 14:39:26 UTC

No worries; I found the comment interesting and didn't take offense in the least. I also agree with most, if not all, of your analysis there. Personally, I do draw a line past which I won't go to win (sometimes it stops only for direct cheating, sometimes sooner).

My general views on ethics, though, may get a post of their own at some point, but I'm not going to rant at length on them now. =o]

As for Mudd being hard on people who play to win, I think that's a double-edged sword. It may be harder on us, but the competition is generally better.

jellibean117 April 23 2004, 05:56:11 UTC

this is why i wont play "you dont know jack" with you anymore! youre cutthroat, bro!
love bean

iluvsheep April 30 2004, 06:00:54 UTC

It s a good thing that you mentioned this entry in your most recent or I would never have seen it. (Being one of those bad people that never goes back in LJ to see what he might have missed.)

Anyway, it has been said by a bunch of people already, however, I too feel almost exactly the same way you do with regard to games. (Although, as usual, you have articulated it far better than I could have). I really really like being quite competitive in most games. It is always a disappointment when the other players don't fight back. In fact, that is why I like playing with you and Conor and Co. be it at Illuminati, Axis&Allies or whatever. You guys play to win, and if I try to screw you in the game, you continue on, don't take it personally and try to get back at me within the bounds of the game.

regisman April 30 2004, 06:56:52 UTC

It's a good thing that you mentioned this entry in your most recent or I would never have seen it. (Being one of those bad people that never goes back in LJ to see what he might have missed.)

No worries. I don't expect that anyone reads every entry I write. Hell, most of them are way too uninteresting. =o]

It is always a disappointment when the other players don't fight back. In fact, that is why I like playing with you and Conor and Co. be it at Illuminati, Axis&Allies or whatever. You guys play to win, and if I try to screw you in the game, you continue on, don't take it personally and try to get back at me within the bounds of the game.

Ditto, my friend.