The SEIV Community

[Slynky]

I've already added my comments in "said" thread but I'll echo them here (because, apparently, I didn't make the "quote" cut... )

So, if I wax a bit long-tougued, I apologize upfront.

Ahem....( clearing throat)...

Us boardgamers, it seems to me, have always been very competitive. In some "face-to-face" games, I've even had opponents get upset and quit (and even throw counters from the board).

As we all know, the Internet makes it even easier to be "ugly" to someone you can't see. It reminds me of the people who don't have ANY PROBLEM with cutting you off in a merge/exit lane on the interstate yet won't hop in front of you in a theatre line.

But back to KOTH and sportsmanship...

As you said, Mathias, (well, kinda... ), lots of people join up with the thought of kicking Elvis out of his throne. Some win and some lose on the way to the top of the hill. But no matter what the results, I've seen dignity, playfulness, humbleness, and just all-'round good sportsmanship.

We've almost become a club. A club of good friends who can give it a shot and laugh about the outcome either way. Sure, we all want to win and get higher but all of us who have been thrown back to the bottom of the hill have laughed a bit and just started again. Why? Because it's just so darn much fun.

And, in KOTH, I've learned a LOT about playing. And I've learned it because I've asked/talked with my opponents and they have been willing to share their knowledge.

SO, for the long-winded remarks I have made, I would urge anyone to join in the KOTH fun. Doesn't matter how good you are...people will give you tips if you ask and you will learn some tricks just by playing.

AND AND, if we can keep this a "club" of friendly competition, we will ALL have a lot of fun.

Thanks to Geo for starting it (and puttin up with the aggravation) and to Asmala for keeping it going. And Lastly, but not leastly, thanks to DavidG for helping make it easier to run.

Thanks to Geo (et al) for running the site that makes this game 10 times better to play.

BTW, I search for the KOTH thread for new post before I look anywhere else.

In closing, thanks to Mathias for making this a relevant thread for anyone who plays in an international gaming environment!

PS: (ok, OK, so I am STILL running my mouth...errrr, fingers , though I hate to suggest something that may smack of "elitisim", it might be nice to have a "Category" of some sort to be able to recommend players to be a member of that gives them the honor of being able to say, "People think I'm a good game sport." Might make people strive to be a member and practice good friendly gaming habits.

[ June 16, 2003, 17:54: Message edited by: Slynky ]

[Erax]

I will repeat my own comments from another thread :

Have you noticed how no one ever asks about the 'cheat codes' in SEIV ? Have you noticed how the opposite of that (how to make the AI smarter; how to make the game harder) generates so much traffic here ?

I think SE IV appeals to gamers with a certain level of maturity. Those who have gone beyond 'instant gratification' and realize that the best rewards come from beating the greatest challenges.

In my opinion this forum is the best place on the Internet. Let's all work to keep it that way.

That about sums up my POV.

[Slick]

A typical post-game wrap-up...

A: “I wanted to thank you for so expertly kicking my butt in that Last game, but you seemed to have missed a spot on my left buttock. Would you mind taking care of it, if it isn’t too much trouble?”

B: *in British accent* “Sewww sorrray...” *whump, whump, WHUMP!* “Is that better, my good man?”

A: “Smashing!” *admires his new bruises* “A fine job indeed.”

Slick.

[Mathias_Ice]

Certainly didn't mean to slight you there Slykny, I basically just cut and pasted from my first post. I totally agree with all your comments regarding sportsmanship and also Erax's POV regarding the maturity level of most players. One of the things that most impressed me about this community was the responses to this thread. There are 8 pages of responses here! All insightful, helpful, and above all so very compassionate. This kind of response to a friend in need is the kind of thing that truly sets this community above all other gaming forums I have ever seen. Sportsmanship may be the German chocolate cake that is so desirable, but the humanity of this community is the coconut frosting that makes the whole thing absolutely delicious. Everyone deserves a hearty pat on the back and an "at a boy!"

Mathias Ice

[Geckomlis]

Originally posted by Slynky:
Us boardgamers, it seems to me, have always been very competitive. In some "face-to-face" games, I've even had opponents get upset and quit (and even throw counters from the board).

Ditto. I also have had people cheat right in front of me - like, really, I was not going to notice? I am smart enough to kick your *** in a game with a 100-page rulebook, but not to notice your are cheating? In either case, I never willingly played with them again.

On the other hand, I used to go to a local wargaming group's meetings once a month, 9AM-10PM on a Saturday. 50 men playing dozens of different wargames in a hotel ballroom. No incidences of the behavior mentioned above. Lots of: “ I think you will probably lose the game if you make that move. Here is how the game works. Okay, now take your Last turn over and see how it goes.” It is called mentoring, which is a relationship based on trust and mutual interest. And it is absolutely essential to fostering a community

Gecko

[ June 16, 2003, 19:23: Message edited by: geckomlis ]

[Taera]

ive mentioned all of that in diffeent places and topics. i dont have loud words to say except that it is the only community ive been in for so long. never seen a more mature community.

[Slynky]

Originally posted by geckomlis:

quote:

---

Originally posted by Slynky:
Us boardgamers, it seems to me, have always been very competitive. In some "face-to-face" games, I've even had opponents get upset and quit (and even throw counters from the board).

Ditto. I also have had people cheat right in front of me - like, really, I was not going to notice? I am smart enough to kick your *** in a game with a 100-page rulebook, but not to notice your are cheating? In either case, I never willingly played with them again.

On the other hand, I used to go to a local wargaming group's meetings once a month, 9AM-10PM on a Saturday. 50 men playing dozens of different wargames in a hotel ballroom. No incidences of the behavior mentioned above. Lots of: “ I think you will probably lose the game if you make that move. Here is how the game works. Okay, now take your Last turn over and see how it goes.” It is called mentoring, which is a relationship based on trust and mutual interest. And it is absolutely essential to fostering a community

Gecko

---

Well, that IS a breath of fresh air. As my experience has been, most people take advantage of rule-inexperience.

Your example reminds me of Origins, though. Imagine pick-up-gaming all night long. On tables in gaming rooms, hotel rooms, in the cafeteria or "eating establishment", and in the hallways leading to rooms. You can meet some really die-hard gamers at a convention like that!