May 12 2009
Leveling up: Playing to win
After some of the feedback I received about the how-to on making losing a constructive experience , I’ve decided to make this a three-part post to step up the skills of the average gamer. In today’s class, we will take a look at winning.
Now when you sit down with a controller in your hand, especially if your opposition is human, your goal is to win. Now I imagine like myself you have been subjected to silly sayings such as “cheap tactics”, and “cheesing”. If you let something like that stop you from playing the game the way you want, you’re already stacking up points against yourself.
Gameplay is like a battlefield, and any tool you have at your disposal is a weapon for your respective war. If you were a soldier in the military, would you NOT shoot your gun because the enemy is screaming that bullets are unfair? I don’t think so. Generally, I notice that things get called cheap by people who can’t seem to overcome something simple. For example, in my time playing Street Fighter, I see people bash on fireball traps, calling the tactic “spam”. They’re too narrow-sighted to see the tactic, and too lazy to try and figure out a way to overcome it.
So their solution is to call repeated fireballs cheap, boring, and unfair.
If I had a nickel for every poor loser that I heard utter something like that I’d be a millionaire. When I say “poor loser”, I don’t mean that I’m calling the person names, I mean that particular person is BAD at LOSING, and needs to Level Up! in that aspect in order to become a competent player.
You don’t NEED to be a competitive player to apply such an aspect to your gameplay, you just have to be open minded. For a little homework, if you really want to open your eyes up to the art of winning, swing by David Sirlin’s page. There, you can find a free ebook on the subject of playing to win. David Sirlin is a professional gamer, and game designer, and with some of the titles that he holds under his belt, the things he has to say about winning really hold some water.
The third part of this lesson will be on gaming etiquette, and will be on the way later in the week. Until then, keep your wrists loose. Remember to take breaks, so that you don’t lose your hobby in the future to carpal tunnel syndrome.
Stay classy, gamers.
I usually avoid competitive multiplayer games because I am a magnet for poor winners and sore losers. If I am playing against someone live, there is usually no problem. When I am online, everyone I play is cartoonishly bipolar. Once, some random guy said I should give up on life and go kill myself after he beat me my a slim margin. When I returned the favor, I was accused of cheating and he threatened to call the FBI. Although, he messaged me in half-crazed LOL speak, so he could have been giving me encouragement and congratulations for all I know.
Good post.