Destroying the Game

[ubbercatta]

Dear fellow game players at the table, I have a few requests to make before we continue

Comments

[secretslip]

Which game?

[ubbercatta]

The particular game is irrelevant.

[secretslip]

I'm sure it is. I'm still curious, though. Some games are easier to cheat at than others. I always cheat in scrabble.

[ubbercatta]

I understand your curiosity - but I want to make sure that this stays about my frustration on different game playing philosopies, rather than me bad-mouthing another person(s).

[playmayt]

Are you talking about the Game of Life, the game of LJ, or did I miss something by leaving before 4 a.m. last night???

[ubbercatta]

While I am refering to a particular event-in-time - it really is a symptom of a much larger ongoing issue.

It is possible that I'm the only one who has an issue with this, since to my knowledge, no one else has complained or commented.

[playmayt]

I can't comment if you won't name names since I apparently missed it. I didn't play a game with you this time so at least I know it's not me.

[ubbercatta]

What's a name anyway but a transient label that eventually flutters away and gets ground into the dust ...

[jhonen_red]

Seconded on all counts, but with somewhat less intensity. 1, 2 and 4 are just messed up things to do unless you know everyone playing well enough to _know_ they don't mind. Really. It's neither funny nor respectful of the other gamers

[thermight]

I agree with what you're saying and I agree it's frustrating.

By the way, in one game yesterday, I still feel bad for accidentally scoring in the opposite direction with my piece on something, being caught at it and then winning handily. But you're probably not singling me out for that since you know I don't cheat... on purpose :)

It's rough trying to win graciously sometimes. So jhohen_red's point is well taken. It's a truly talented player (or host) who can win yet make even the losers feel like they had a fulfilling time. Sometimes in games that are brutal like Family Business ganging up on someone just makes sense. It's best when they've provoked it though. However I find it very very hard to look people in the eyes and smile when I'm taking a large part in helping them get obliterated. This is especially tough with intense people like Jeannie or Peter who are also themselves tough competitors but hard to read. I guess I feel like they hold it against me personally or something. Or that they feel it's unfair because sometimes I

[ubbercatta]

I think something the two of you are missing is that I wasn't upset with whoever was winning. Very rarely do any of the 'regular' gamers crow about their victories or 'are dicks' about it.

I was upset with a person(s) who was LOOSING and whining constantly about it - and cheating. And to be truthful, I was loosing more so than this person(s)and ended up in very last last place. So if anyone had the right to whine it was me - especially since I lost playing honestly.

For the record - I never hold it against anyone for beating me honestly at a game. I play to have fun, not to reach the unattainable (for me)goal of winning.

And yes, sometimes I do get a little pouty when EVERYONE gangs up on me ... but hopefully not too much or too annoyingly.

[molly_drew]

Here's to game etiquette. I've been given a hard time for taking things that you mention seriously, so it's nice to know that someone else cares. Hey, didn't I raise my voice at you once for something during a game? :) I've softened since, but I still have fits on the inside.

[ubbercatta]

This was beyond etiquette - this was game philosophy. To follow the rules, deal honestly with the other players, and behave graciously.