For sure, there will be jerks in any activity, and sports is no different, just look at any pro sport for examples of poor sportsmanship. The difference between having played competitive sports (not just the half-assed stuff they make you do in PhysEd) seriously as opposed to not though, is learning that mutual respect that comes in real competition.
Learning to win and lose gracefully and how to conduct yourself in a respectful manner was big with most of my coaches growing up, and has really stuck with me. I met awesome people even in cesspools like APB's community simply by whispering people with "Damn, that was an awesome game. You guys are tough!" and things like that.
The people I'm referring to simply never experienced tough competition face to face and were never taught how to treat people properly in that situation, much less in victory or defeat. Thus you end up with people who don't know how to behave.
When our coach caught someone showboating in the end zone, it was shame enough for him to pause the video in front of the team and simply say, "XXX player, pretend like you've been there before."
It's poignant in this case because quite simply put, a lot of these internet warriors have never been there before and have no idea how to act.
Sadly, many gamers were not big on sports when they were younger and failed to learn the value of sportsmanship. Then they go on to become good at other things, and when they realize that they wield power over others in certain arenas, they run around with it like a youngling with their daddy's lightsaber.
Vanguard going free-to-play this summer, beefs up dev team
Mar 21st 2012 4:58PM (Massively)ArcheAge to feature Chinese-themed city, additional content
Mar 21st 2012 12:39PM (Massively)BioWare doctors discuss Mass Effect MMO
Feb 27th 2012 3:10PM (Massively)CCP still planning to expand EVE's station gameplay
Feb 23rd 2012 12:46PM (Massively)The Guild Counsel: Why is it so hard to say congratulations?
Feb 10th 2012 12:59PM (Massively)For sure, there will be jerks in any activity, and sports is no different, just look at any pro sport for examples of poor sportsmanship. The difference between having played competitive sports (not just the half-assed stuff they make you do in PhysEd) seriously as opposed to not though, is learning that mutual respect that comes in real competition.
Learning to win and lose gracefully and how to conduct yourself in a respectful manner was big with most of my coaches growing up, and has really stuck with me. I met awesome people even in cesspools like APB's community simply by whispering people with "Damn, that was an awesome game. You guys are tough!" and things like that.
The people I'm referring to simply never experienced tough competition face to face and were never taught how to treat people properly in that situation, much less in victory or defeat. Thus you end up with people who don't know how to behave.
When our coach caught someone showboating in the end zone, it was shame enough for him to pause the video in front of the team and simply say, "XXX player, pretend like you've been there before."
It's poignant in this case because quite simply put, a lot of these internet warriors have never been there before and have no idea how to act.
The Guild Counsel: Why is it so hard to say congratulations?
Feb 9th 2012 9:12PM (Massively)Exhibit A: /spit in WoW.
Case closed.
Earthrise shutting down today
Feb 9th 2012 1:31PM (Massively)TERA pre-orders available, closed beta access included
Feb 1st 2012 3:04PM (Massively)The Daily Grind: Do character wipes influence your beta participation?
Jan 11th 2012 1:24PM (Massively)Dominus reveals its bounty hunting mechanics
Jan 5th 2012 5:18PM (Massively)