I frequently contemplate that about games, and the idea of ‘friendly competition’, but in truth I don’t think such a thing really exists. I imagine a group of friends, say 6 people or so, and all of them enjoy Street Fighter. One of the 6 is doubtlessly going to be the worst in the group, and will rarely ever see wins. Even if the other 5 are very kind and gracious to their friend, could it really be said that the worst in the group will feel good about playing the game? About being the well-treated punching bag? I doubt it. The process of competition itself, even when ‘friendly’, is deleterious to the loser.
I think friendly competition definitely exists, and it’s a cornerstone of human psychology. But in order for friendly competition to work, everyone has to “win” at least some of the time.
I frequently contemplate that about games, and the idea of ‘friendly competition’, but in truth I don’t think such a thing really exists. I imagine a group of friends, say 6 people or so, and all of them enjoy Street Fighter. One of the 6 is doubtlessly going to be the worst in the group, and will rarely ever see wins. Even if the other 5 are very kind and gracious to their friend, could it really be said that the worst in the group will feel good about playing the game? About being the well-treated punching bag? I doubt it. The process of competition itself, even when ‘friendly’, is deleterious to the loser.
I think friendly competition definitely exists, and it’s a cornerstone of human psychology. But in order for friendly competition to work, everyone has to “win” at least some of the time.