L2P Noob

How seriously should you take online gaming?

Is it for fun or is it a serious pastime?

When playing a team online game, what should your attitude be towards winning?

Sometimes I play ranked games and the consensus is that these are the games that you should take seriously. If you play in a real world sports team (which I also do) there are friendly games, pick up games and league/tournament games. The league and tournament games are the ones you should take seriously, and in online gaming these can be compared to ranked games. Especially if you play for a pro team; then obviously you should always want to win, and you will spend a lot of time preparing and practicing so that you can do just that.

When you play an unranked game, especially when you have been automatically matched up with teammates, then this is what I would consider to be like a pick-up game in the real world. Pick-up is arguably more fun than a tournament, because it is more relaxed. You are playing the game for the fun of playing the game, nothing is at stake here. This doesn't seem to be the way in online gaming.

But...? Winning...???

Now obviously winning does increase the fun, and so I can see an argument for wanting to win. However we know how this works- if there are two teams then *someone* will have to lose. It's annoying when that happens, but it does happen. So does losing always mean that the enjoyment of the game is immediately lost?

I don't think so. You may still feel that you as an individual played a good game, or you developed your skills in some way. Sometimes it is actually down to technical difficulties, though a "lag!" call is hard to greet without skepticism. Sometimes you are simply outclassed by the opponents (which will quite often be denied by your furious teammate - no they're fed/op- *humph* *sulk* *whine* etc)
But you have the knowledge that it is only a game, you can play another (if it isn't past your bedtime- zing!) and learning to cope with losing from time to time is something we all have to deal with in life.

If you genuinely are bitter about losing, then I suggest you take a break from the game and do something else, because this angry energy is going to ruin you. And if you are just in it for a good old troll, then again, there are more healthy ways to be, not just towards others, but to yourself.

Good Grief!

What surprises me when I play online games, is the incredibly negative attitude some people have, even your own teammates. You will all be familiar with cries of "noob!" More lately I have come across "Waste of an Account", "Pls uninstall this game", "Worst (insert character here) EU".

So to call someone the worst player of that character in the whole region is, in my opinion, just a little extreme. For starters there is no way they could have played with everyone who has every played that character. Seemingly logic has no place here.

Or what about "L2P, noob!". Again logic would say that if someone is playing unranked, then they are learning to play- by taking part in a game against real world opponents they are developing their skills and applying and consolidating their knowledge, all key components of learning something. By definition, learning means to develop, not to just be instantly good at something from the word go.

But ultimately it seems that what these people really mean is:

You cannot see me, you do not know who I am, I am protected by the internet, so therefore I am going to boost my ego by being rude to you.

Its incredibly tiresome, but most of the time it is easy to ignore the comments. And when you do feel ready to play ranked, you will be surprised to find (as I was) that most people are nicer there.

Of course you should always play to win, but it is important to accept that this isn't always going to happen. So be competitive, but well spirited. Be ready to learn from others and remember, it is only a game.

Finally a big should out to all the people that say nice things and congratulate teammates, and even opponents from time to time. This is what makes you feel a better person. I look forward to meeting more of you when I am next online.

A Handy Glossary!

If anyone is reading this but you are not familiar with some of the terms I used above- have no fear :)

L2P - Learn to play

OP - Overpowered (a particularly strong character)

Fed - A character that has a lot of kills, usually because of a weak opponent