Pokémon TCG: Sword and Shield—Brilliant Stars

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Yes it's a game but it has different meanings to different people. You can choose to play for fun or to win it's up to you.
 
rerisenphoenix said:
Quoting a wise player, 'If you're not playing the game for fun anymore, why play it at all?' No matter how you look at it, Pokemon is just that, A GAME! There's people out there that are only in it for winning, for prize support. Well, you're in the wrong TCG for that. Pokemon is, or should be something that's just for fun. Whenever you go beyond that boundary, there's no real point in playing at all.

I love playing, don't get me wrong, but with all the people out there who turn this TCG into some hard-core competition, it's just ridiculous. People, we need to get back to what got most, if not all of us into this game in the first place, the FUN part of the game.
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that is the very reason I don't play Yu-Gi-Oh!, I hate how everyone who plays that thinks that losing one little game means their deck is useless and they have to go spend a load of money to build the most current deck there is. To be honest, I see that in Pokemon, but not as often, since there is plenty of variety to the cards
 
rerisenphoenix said:
First off, look at my sig, I'm not exactly a loser.

Don't get me wrong, I do play to win (even though I wish I wouldn't), but that's just the thing. When it comes down to it, we are playing a game. I love winning just as much as the next guy, but when that's ALL you think about, it sucks. As a kid, you enjoy playing the game just for the reason you enjoy it, IT'S FUN!

Also, by hard-core competition, I'm talking about times like when 'Pro' players are cut-throat towards new players, or something like that. It's just not right!

I just wish the game could get back to when it was just fun to play, win or lose!
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People keep mentioning "pros" lacking SotG... but from what I've learned it's pretty much the opposite. People always cite this argument that pro players are often times cut-throat (meaning what exactly?) or harsh but I've never seen it. Can you name any particular instances? You're just judging this entire group of people and don't give us any evidence to believe that they really act that way.
 
You know what? I haven't played in a premier event for so long, I can't remember when the last time was. I run a league, organize events, judge other events, and ocasionally play a few games here and there. I'm having the time of my life. I don't always play to win, but I always have a good time. Sometimes people forget the comment writen in a scripture, "There is more happiness in giving than receiving." Happiness can be had, fun can be had. If you can look at yourself at the end of the day, and say to yourself, 'I helped someone,' or 'I made a difference,' then that's your benefit. If you winning is all you have in your thoughts, there will always be someone potentially better than you, and you'll always be looking over your shoulder. Hey - sounds like a loser eh? I guarantee I'll end up happier in the long run. There are lots of people just like me out there. Team Compendium, other league leaders, and organizers are made up of people that are just like me. Hopefully our good example will catch on.
 
ryanvergel said:
People keep mentioning "pros" lacking SotG... but from what I've learned it's pretty much the opposite. People always cite this argument that pro players are often times cut-throat (meaning what exactly?) or harsh but I've never seen it. Can you name any particular instances? You're just judging this entire group of people and don't give us any evidence to believe that they really act that way.
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First off, I don't mean all pro-players, just some of them.
 
V_For_Vendetta said:
You were asked to give a few examples to support your claim, please do so.
Otherwise this could turn into "Well I had a friend who has a cousin who's brother's wife heard on the internet...".
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Ok, though I can't use names, or else this thread will be locked.

Alright, at Oklahoma States, one of the people I went with, this being only his second tournament, was pressed to make faster moves, and had judge come over to monitor the game, even though his opponent was up 4-0 on prizes, while he had no way of making a comeback.

Now I know stalling is annoying, but when there is no way of you losing the match, you don't need to be a jerk, it's just ridiculous.
 
Lets not forget the aim of most pokemon trainers, and that is to be a Pokémon master. Otherwords beat everyone along the way, and make little amount of friends.
 
V_For_Vendetta said:
You were asked to give a few examples to support your claim, please do so.
Otherwise this could turn into "Well I had a friend who has a cousin who's brother's wife heard on the internet...".
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well, I'm entirely sure rerisenphoenix can't entirely prove his/her point one way or the other since it's a subjective claim, and he/she can't be in all events at one time to judge the competitive spirit shown in all tournaments, but I've even seen players exhibit a spirit of competitiveness which I would consider unhealthy. Let's be honest here. You might not consider this a problem, but many people do. Just like you may not see your faults in the same light as a bystander. The truth is, it happens, it is happening, and some think it's no problem, but a lot do. Some people are contributing to a fun experience for all, and some are contributing to a fun experience for themselves only. It happens all the time.
 
Playing to win is fun. I think people can forget the difference between being a poor loser and trying to win. If I've prepared for an event and really tested and a deck and then go to a tournament I'll have fun. I played to win. Even if I don't do well I still played to win. On the other hand if I just went with a theme deck I would not have any fun. Maybe people need to understand the difference between PLAYING to win. Or just playing because you win and not having any fun if you lose. Playing to win means trying your best.
 
rrx,

Let's make one thing clear.

Your opinion will not change the actions of those around you.

There will always be the "hardcore players" who think they have to win, that they are better than they are, and yada, yada, yada.

There are also the hardcore players who really help others, work to make sure that younger players, and older players, get advice on their decks and make the game better for all of those who play it.

You are never going to get the selfish ones to become "men for others"

You are never going to get away with calling all hardcore players bad for the game.

The issue is not with the hardcore players, it is with a difference in philosophy.

Either (a) you believe you can be better than everyone else, and therefore should win, and do not owe any other players any consideration or (b) you work and help to make the players around you better, so everyone succeeds more, and, yes, the competition stiffens, but the players all get better.

Noone pays you for (b), but it is certainly the more altruistic stance.

Vince
 
Any Survivor TV show fans out there? Now there's a game that some people take too seriously.

Let's face it. Winning is fun. Even if you're not a hard-core gamer, winning a game provides gratification.

Some games are so fun that just playing them provides enjoyment.

Personally, I think OP is partly to blame for this competitive attitude. I truly enjoying spectating. However, at some major events, spectators are not well accomodated, and in fact are often denied from viewing. Ask just about any judge and they'll tell you that one of the most rewarding aspects of judging is to watch games up-close-and-personal. However, I doubt there's a solution to spectating other than using expensive closed-circuit video. Like chess matches, Pokemon is not well-suited for mass open spectating.

Bottom-line. Pokemon if fun for winners. Pokemon is fun for losers who just enjoy playing. For players who only find enjoyment from winning, you'll never find "true" happiness here.
 
SteveP said:
Any Survivor TV show fans out there? Now there's a game that some people take too seriously.

Let's face it. Winning is fun. Even if you're not a hard-core gamer, winning a game provides gratification.

Some games are so fun that just playing them provides enjoyment.

Personally, I think OP is partly to blame for this competitive attitude. I truly enjoying spectating. However, at some major events, spectators are not well accomodated, and in fact are often denied from viewing. Ask just about any judge and they'll tell you that one of the most rewarding aspects of judging is to watch games up-close-and-personal. However, I doubt there's a solution to spectating other than using expensive closed-circuit video. Like chess matches, Pokemon is not well-suited for mass open spectating.

Bottom-line. Pokemon if fun for winners. Pokemon is fun for losers who just enjoy playing. For players who only find enjoyment from winning, you'll never find "true" happiness here.
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I like watching matches, but like you said it's bad for the players to have a bunch of people really close watching you. Plus it would be way to easy to cheat. Something people need to remember. Competition is what makes the game fun. If you lose to someone your gonna try to build a better deck and beat them next time. Where would we be if no one competed at all?
 
We'd still be at league, like in the wizards days, pounding little kids' theme decks with haymaker for points and promo cards. But I guess that's competitive, too.
 
I am, by my own admittance, a 'hard-core' player. I try not to be a jerk to others, though, unlike SOME players, whom I started this article towards in the first place.
 
You can't play for fun this season, because it's not fun to face the same deck every match. People who care about rating also can't play for fun even if they already have won a similar event. Premier rating is poison to the spirit of the game and the time will come when PUI gets to recognize that and to bring back Gym Challenge or other ways of qualification.

I played Battle Roads for fun since there is no reason to play straight for win if I already got two Victory Medals and there were not that many other prizes. I was still trying to win, of course, but I used fun-decks like Dragonite/Sceptile or Exploud/Dodrio. It's not only me who has more fun with playing these decks, also my opponents should be happy not to play against another Plox or Magmortar. For me it's more important to have an interesting deck than just to win. Getting 2nd or 3rd at a State Championship with a rogue deck is something you can me a lot more proud of than winning it with a Gardevoir deck. Unfortunally, there are only few people who think like that, and that's one thing that takes some of the the fun away.
 
I actually have high-ranked players seeking my opinion about whether it's worth it to play at Spring Battle Roads and risk losing premier points. What do I tell them, and still be truthful?

Why is Hillary still running? Is it worth it? Is she being a jerk, or is she having "fun" doing this?

If Gym Challenges come back next year, everyone will be complaining about the jerks who have already won yet continue to play at Gym Challenges.

A couple years ago when my kid was winning every major local event, his chief rival whined, "That's not fair!" and called him a jerk.

Every Thursday night I play board games. One of the players loves to win, and when other players get lucky or win, he calls them a jerk.

There will always be those who win and those who think their competitors are jerks if they don't let them win.

Anyway, I'm not discounting the existance of obnoxious behavior. I just wonder if the whiners outnumber the "jerks."
 
JandPDS said:
The game was a lot less stressful when rankings points did not mean anything.
. . . .

IF worlds participation could be determined by the winners of the Regional/ Nationals Chapionships only, instead of combined with Rankings points I feel that Pokemon events would be much more relaxed and friendly atmosphere to participate in.
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Hmm, perhaps, but I do like the ranking systems in that it rewards those with consistent play throughout the season. I think they can be combined-- winners from regionals, nationals and player ranks be invited to participate in Worlds.

I love this game. It's a great family event. I usually don't win, but I must tell you: On Saturday during the pre-release I battled another mom. We were back and forth, back and forth on prizes. She would have had me next turn but I top-decked an electric energy to snipe her bench for 10 with Electrike to win the game. Wow, that was exciting! Even if I had lost that game--it was fun.
 
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