The concept of "having fun"

Hi, I am what you people call a Smurf, or a Downleaguer, or whatever names you guys call us. I lose games to stay in bronze or silver league. This is what I do and there is reason behind it. Keep reading and you'll understand. But first, I wanna share something that I think is kinda of a problem about this "community".

Let me ask you this : What is your concept of "Fun" ?

I'd like to start by reminding people that Starcraft is a game, before everything else. Yes there is a "community" surrounding it and bla bla bla, but it is still a game. The purpose of gaming is to have fun. Or this is what I like to think. And here is the problem, I don't understand some of you guys.

Ask yourself this simple question, why do you play starcraft?

For 99% of us( 1% remaining are the "pros" ) it's to have fun. And I really don't get how some people on this site have fun playing the game at a "good level" ( diamond and more ). Now before you call me a bronzie or a noob, I have been in low master for 2 seasons. And I really didn't see the point...Why do you keep playing once you get there? You'll never beat the pros cause they play this game 40 hours + a week, while YOU, you have a job, you have school and stuff to do. What is it that keeps you playing at high level? I mean it's stressful, it makes me rage ( and probably you to ), there is just no point. There is no fun... See where I'm going with this? Why do you bother with win rate ratios and stats and all of this achievements crap? I keep reading post about ladder anxiety and all of this sh1t... Geez this is just a game...

Here is my perception of "fun" :

Playing with the bronzies and doing the most retarded strategies ever. I have replays and replays of amazing games with mass nukes while I picked zerg. Using infestors to get an scv and make a CC in ur opponent base is HILAROUS. Or massing 50 phoenix in 1 spot and picking everything up, or just massing workers and queens. These are just a couple exemples, but you see the point I am making here.

Just stop taking the game so freaking seriously... there is no point of going to high master, you're probably gonna hate it there cause it's frustrating and annoying. Go down league and come have fun with me and the bronzies making mass queens and templars.

That's all I had to say .I still love you guys <3

Last edit: 2012-07-24 12:04:47

WhatEver Bro

Crais Canada. July 24 2012 12:03. Posts 2089

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On July 24 2012 12:01 Sebas2468 wrote:

That's all I had to say, flame me as much as you want while i go back to the game where I have fun. You may now go back to watching streams and never play the game cause you get too nervous or something.I still love you guys <3

Was all good up until you went all passive aggressive.

RIP MBC Game Hero

RoM.Inverse Canada. July 24 2012 12:04. Posts 51

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I'm a pretty competitive guy; for me, fun is succeeding in an attempt to win. That doesn't necessarily always mean winning, but playing to win and attempting to achieve that goal to the best of my ability.

InverseTV - Company of Heroes Commentaries: http://www.youtube.ca/inversegr/

mynameisgreat11 July 24 2012 12:04. Posts 599

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Whooping on noobs sounds really boring.

Surrealistic July 24 2012 12:04. Posts 311

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Some people find competition and the idea of improving themselves fun. Shocking yeah, people don't have the same opinion as yourself.

Ewic Canada. July 24 2012 12:08. Posts 121

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The same could be said about anything, really...

Why do people play golf recreationally yet buy nice clubs and take lessons to be good? Why does someone challenge themselves on the guitar when they know they'll never be in a band?

People find satisfaction in setting goals and achieving them. That pretty much sums it up. No challenge (for some people) = no fun.

GrandMaster Terran

ubreakubuy United States. July 24 2012 12:09. Posts 78

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I did this for a while when I was actively playing for my achievements for 1s in my other races. I was in Rank 10-20 Masters so i couldn't really offrace and win games there. It was fun for a while but it just got boring after doing it for hundreds of games. My favorite games were when i faced against others that were doing the same things.. down ranking themselves into bronze. You could usually tell when they initiate BM like "leave noob" ect. Most times they were just plat players who thought they were good so I was able to monobattle them for the laughs. Nothing feels better then crushing a bm player's pride. Of course I'm not saying im well mannered myself but it was hilarious to see how they made excuses or just put me on ignore soon as game was over.

Ò_ó

PanN United States. July 24 2012 12:11. Posts 2594

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You may say its pointless to keep playing, but for people like me, I enjoy the challenge of playing good people. Stomping noobs just sounds.... really really really boring. Theres no sense of accomplishment, its just, oh hey i beat that guy that I was supposed to beat.. hurray...

We have multiple brackets generated in advance. Relax . (Kennigit) I just simply do not understand how it can be the time to play can be 22nd at 9:30 pm PST / midnight the 23rd at the same time. (GGzerg)

snexwang Australia. July 24 2012 12:11. Posts 188

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You are a person who cannot cope with failure, thus you have put yourself into a position where it is impossible for you to fail. You have labelled this as "fun". Congratulations.

Jerubaal United States. July 24 2012 12:15. Posts 2514

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You know what makes me rage more than anything?

People who dick around in team games and play like shit and then say 'chill out, brah, I'm just having fun'.

I'm not stupid, a marauder just shot my brain.

Ansinjunger United States. July 24 2012 12:16. Posts 1900

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The fun things you did are gimmicky and get boring. You seem to be the opposite of a "happy loser," one of those people who simply become more motivated when they're given the, "most of you will fail" speech (courtesy of some recent NPR or BBC broadcast). You're an unhappy winner when you play @ masters.

Hey, whatever floats your boat.

Ansinjunger United States. July 24 2012 12:17. Posts 1900

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On July 24 2012 12:15 Jerubaal wrote:
You know what makes me rage more than anything?

People who dick around in team games and play like shit and then say 'chill out, brah, I'm just having fun'.

@Jerub: I wouldn't be given more people the idea then.

Edit: woops meant to add that to old post :/

Last edit: 2012-07-24 12:17:51

hitchslap July 24 2012 12:18. Posts 20

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Just because someone isn't a pro doesn't mean they can't play competitively and take the game seriously. For example I play basketball and while I know the possibility of me becoming an NBA star is literally 0% doesn't mean I'm not constantly trying to improve. Same thing goes with sc2. What I find "fun" is trying to become as good as the pros. Even tho I may never be as good as them, at least I have something I am aiming for. Without that, this game would be completely meaningless to me.

NewDawn Canada. July 24 2012 12:19. Posts 118

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My idea of fun in SC2 is when someone BMs me like crap and then I beat them. Makes me happy! :D

아이유 / 배수지 | 유지 화이팅! <3

buckKeefe United States. July 24 2012 12:20. Posts 47

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pretty sure the answer to this question is just 'eustress.' its the kind of enjoyment you get from completing a challenging task. lots of very rewarding tasks can be frustrating or difficult in the moment, and it makes them all the more fun in the long run. making random stuff with bronze players isn't really fun to me because what i enjoy is the intellectually-demanding strategic thinking that comes out in serious 1v1 games

Last edit: 2012-07-24 12:21:13

Torte de Lini Canada. July 24 2012 12:20. Posts 27005

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For 99% of us( 1% remaining are the "pros" ) it's to have fun. And I really don't get how some people on this site have fun playing the game at a "good level" ( diamond and more ).

That's because you don't have the word "challenge" in your vocabulary.
If you want to dick around in a game, that's good, great that you found your fun.

But to not be able to consider why some people like to strive and play their best and overcome adversity sounds like a cry that you never saw an after-school special.

It's all about overcoming adversities and challenges, that's fun for many.

The purpose of gaming is to have fun. Or this is what I like to think. And here is the problem, I don't understand some of you guys.

You're actually ambigious here. Fun is interpretative; entertainment is more concrete and directly relative to a video-game. Video-games are entertaining/entertainment and the derivative emotions you get from interaction is thus "fun" which depends on a lot of personal factors and approaches to genres of interactive video-games.

And I really didn't see the point...Why do you keep playing once you get there? You'll never beat the pros cause they play this game 40 hours + a week, while YOU, you have a job, you have school and stuff to do.

Misinformed Three strikes, you're out. A lot of pros do school and games and are just like you. That's the beauty about a lot of professionals, they're like you except they didn't quit halfway through and then patronize everyone with their narrow view of "fun".

+ Show Spoiler +

Last edit: 2012-07-24 12:25:58

https://twitter.com/#!/TorteDeLini (@TorteDeLini)

Millitron United States. July 24 2012 12:20. Posts 1224

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I like a combination of both. In most games that I play regularly, I'll find a wacky strategy, and execute it to the best of my ability.

For instance, in Halo 3, I got quite good at no-scoping people from the back seat of a moving mongoose. You'd be surprised how often its successful; mostly because no one expects a mongoose to be a threat.

Who called in the fleet?

Megaliskuu United States. July 24 2012 12:21. Posts 5013

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Damn bro u are cool you smash bronze kids..

Been High master for a long time now, I just enjoy starcraft in general, BW and SC2 are the only games I've played for the last 4 years. It can be frustrating but I know I'm not pro, I'm never even gonna try going pro and thats ok, school is more important, I just PLAY!

Last edit: 2012-07-24 12:21:34

aka Megalisk, TheMuTaL|BW>Everything|Add me on KR TheMuTaL.675 for practice games :)

ETisME Hong Kong. July 24 2012 12:23. Posts 4844

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Playing with similar skilled players can be extremely stressful and can be extremely fun.
especially when you reach a certain skill level that really pushes both of you in mechanics and every tiny advantage transition into a long term advantage
such as ling runby slowing down a what would have been a game ending push from opponent.

NKexquisite United States. July 24 2012 12:23. Posts 469

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Nothing warms my soul more than some rage at the end of a game. It's what keeps ladder fresh and enjoyable. I've played customs vs bronzies and they are boring as shit...

Whattttt Upppppppp Im Nesteaaaaaa!!