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 Home > Adrenaline
Gamer Interviews & Columns > RESPECT
RESPECT
Writen By: Precizion ( aka CHiNX )
Just about every player wants it, and when they have it they want more. But
just what is respect? And why do players covet it so much?
Respect for other players is in itself, not such a bad thing. Anyone can see
the level of work a player puts in and the dedication to improving their game
that they have. It is commendable that anyone wants to learn and spend time
improving himself in any activity. But what is perhaps not so commendable is
when players begin to want that respect for themselves.
To have others look upon them with admiration and even worship can become the
sole goal of many players. They do not want to become the best they can be for
the sake of themselves they want to become better than everyone else solely for
the respect that they believe will be showered upon them.
When a player first get into FPS gaming, gaining the respect from their fellow
opponents is more than likely furthest thing from their minds. They only play
the game because they enjoy playing it and perhaps want something new to learn.
So what happens to flip that switch from casual player to someone who is
competitive and hungry for the respect of others?
The more a person plays, the more they become known to others. This is also
true in reverse, in that the more a person plays, the better they get to know
the opposition around them. As this happens it is perhaps natural that a player
will begin to rate their performance against those others; natural that they
begin to chart their progress by whom they beat and whom they lose to. But more
often than not, this is when the flip gets switched.
By rating themselves against others, a player is saying that they know exactly
how good they are. The problem is that this fixed idea of their skills can
become something to defend both to themselves and to others. The player will
often reason out that they have spent a lot of time and practice reaching this
certain level and anything that does not reflect that level of attainment such
as a poor performance or a loss to a player generally considered below their
skill level needs to be explained. Now this explaining is another problem,
because once again it hammers home the idea of how good the player
believes himself to be. And the more an idea is hammered home, the more
it becomes real. The more something become real, the more it is defended. This
is especially true for the image that builds up around a player.
It is when this image becomes real (even though it maybe nothing like the
personality of player away from their online community) and interacts more with
others, that the player wants to gain even more respect for themselves. They
feel everyone should know just how good they are. And when someone does not?
Well, they have a whole list of reasons why they should.
I am sure just about everyone has seen this clearly by simply visiting a
community forum. It often starts with one player trying to build up their image
in an attempt to gain more respect by saying they beat so-and-so. The person
who was defeated will then reply to the post saying “Yes, I lost that game
but I was playing under par that day. Besides I beat you the other week which
shows I am better." Once again the first person will post, this time
saying “Ah, but that time I was using a new mouse, so could not play to my
full potential. Besides, I won the latest game between us so I am the better
player."
Such scenes are very common place with online gaming communities, all with the
goal of showing the readers of the post how good they are, and hence worthy of
respect. But that is all it is, a show. Two actors with a script that has been
played out so many times before. It is because it has been acted out so much
that most people see it for what it is, and thus the post ends up with the
opposite result of what was intended. The player actually loses respect from
others for acting in such a way. Now this should be a good thing there is a
lesson for the player to learn here. The problem is that they usually learn the
wrong one. Instead of posts such as the one before they instead become more and
more subtle, drawing less attention to their image boosting. But it is still
all the same game that of trying to gain more respect.
When does it ever become enough? Perhaps when a player proves to be the best in
world by winning a certain competition? Or even winning a vote from others to
see who is the best of the best? Perhaps, but what happens when someone says
another player was off form during that competition and would have easily won
had he been playing well? What if someone says the vote was just based on who
had the most friends? And lets not forget all those new players who join the
community how will the player prove himself worthy of their respect when they
have not seen him play?
The problem with wanting respect is that when you have it, it is never enough.
There are always some who will never believe you are as good as you think you
are, and so you will have to take steps to prove it to them be it by arguing or
playing with them. But then there are always more and more people coming along
and the cycle begins again.
If a player really wants respect, then they should try gaining it from the way
they act instead of the way they play. Of course this is just another image
game, but at least this way you actually treat others a lot better and help
promote a more stable and mature community. Always remember that you get what
you give, so if you treat others with respect, perhaps you will find it being
returned to you.
The best thing a player can do though is to forget about the respect of others
it only gets in the way anyway. If you’re constantly worried about others
seeing you play bad, or worried about saying something in case it damages the
image you have built up, you will always be subject to restrictions. Much
better to just let it all go have more freedom in your playing. Much better to
just do or say the right thing because it is the right thing. Forget
about what others think.
Of course, none of this is easy. We are brought up in a society that tells you
that you are no one unless you’re famous. It is no wonder that in
countries where nearly everyone wants to be a movie star or pop idol that some
players want fame for themselves within their respective communities. But what
is respect worth really? If you have it, what then? Will anyone really remember
who you were or what you achieved in years to come? Does it really matter if
they do or they don’t? Is your life any better because of it? Or do you
have more problems to deal with? These are questions that every player should
ask, as the answers may surprise you.
What is respect if you don't
have respect!
Writen By: -[S@NDM@N]-
A good friend of mine once said "You will never earn respect if you
never have respect... For others" and even know some may turn a
blind eye over such statements it does still ring true. If you never show the
same level of respect for others how can you expect them to hold respect for
you? Think about it next time you attack a fellow gamer.
Precizion mentioned above in his column. What does respect really count for
& it might be better if gamers didn't seek respect but instead earn it
through the right channels. Earning the respect is a part of online gaming and
every hardcore gamer knows this and also sits right up there in the top goals
of most online gamers. If done for the right reasons & in the right way
earning respect is a good thing in my book and does help bring gamers together.
It's another part to the gaming front which I have to say can not be won by
smart movement & fast fragging.
Those who seek a quick jump to gaming stardom to become the next so called
super-star such as the CPL's Heaton, Zero, Boxtor and so on... Better think
again! To gain the respect like these so-called pro's is an achievement in it's
own right and doesn't happen over night. Even these elites of the gaming world
don't command respect; they too will lose respect if they allow their egos to
take hold. Don't think by acting all elite infront of other gamers will set you
on a path to ultimate respect because it wont, if anything it will go against
your quest. Don't even think you will become a famous gamer as the chances are
you never will. If at anything earn the respect for your part played in a team,
for your part in the community and for your part help out others and being
there for them.
As Precizion mentioned who really cares who owned who? Players come &
go.... but those who will remain and have the greatest respect are those who
sit back and just get on doing what they do best... Playing for the love of it.
Respect like fame & money doesn't always bring you happiness!!
Respect is like a fine wine, it takes time & is best serviced chilled; DO
THE SAME!
Related Links
Hall Of Fame! - By
CHiNX
Style! - By CHiNX
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