I Hate MLG

Caution!  You're about to enter the no spin.....errr.....wait, that's a different program.

Caution!  Read the whole blog before you start creating new and inventive curse words to hurl my direction.

Ok. So now that that's out of the way let me repeat.  I hate MLG.  I've never liked the idea that a game developer would come up with a game, set up the standard rules by which they would have their game played and then MLG comes along, tweaks the rules all around and then declares that the MLG version is the best way to play a game. Unfortunately, too many of these guys lives rest on their level 50 and the nuances of the latest version of a battle rifle.  Add to that the incredible egos many of these timmies have and their propensity to create flame wars in any forum in which they populate, and it's a mix that I just can't stand.  STOP TYPING!  I SAID "MANY" NOT "ALL"!  It should be a reminder to everyone that when you put 2o2p or your clan name or MLG in your avatar or sig, you are not only representing yourself but the groups your are a part of. 

I say this with the full disclosure that I am a casual gamer.  I know there's been some very interesting articles written lately about what is or isn't a casual gamer in light of the latest E3 conference.  I consider myself a casual gamer, because I play video games to relax.  If my video game time starts to get consumed by practices and tournaments and level building, then I've created a second job for myself, not a relaxing night of entertainment before I go to bed.  After all we're talking about a video game here.  This is a toy for all intents and purposes.  I don't really care if I ever hit level 50 or 40 for that matter.  It's enjoyable to try and work up a level system to some degree in a game, but if it requires practice and training then I don't have any interest.

Having said all of that, I do understand that there is a certain group of people out there who may in fact find competitive play an enjoyable experience.  They look forward to practices and competitive events.  As long as the ego is kept in check, I don't really have a problem with those guys pursuing their passion.  They should enjoy every minute of the hobby they love.  It's somewhere deep in our DNA that we can turn virtually any human activity into a contest.  I have no real issue with that.  So why bring all this up?

A couple of weeks ago one of the 2old2play resident gamers decided that he would start a tournament for the folks on the site.  Caesar organized the whole thing and even offered prizes out of his own pocket for the winners.  The basic idea, as I understand it, was to appoint team GMs who would draft players from a pool and then be forced to make trades through the season in order to mix up teams.  Seems like a pretty cool idea.  The contest was open to everyone, competitive and casual gamers alike.  Here is where the problem comes in imo.  You see once you introduce a score and/or a prize then no matter how casual you want your event to be, it becomes a competitive undertaking and the competitive nature of people will come out.  If you're a casual gamer, that won't fly too well.  I understand what Caesar is trying to accomplish in theory and I applaud him for putting forth all the time an effort in getting it underway.  However, I think you can have a tournament or a mixer, but you can't have both.  GMs are going to want to try and win and that means trying to keep the best possible team they can together.  If teams are made up of random players who randomly change teams, then it's not really a contest, it's a crap shoot. 

I really hope this works out in the end.  I know there's been some difficulties in ironing out some details so far but I think what Caesar is trying to do is a noble idea.  My suggestion for future events like this though, where you're trying to get both competitive and casual gamers together in the same room, would be to allow the basic structure to stay in tact with whatever tweaks need worked out, but instead of offering prizes to winners, simply go to a door prize system to help stimulate participation.  If there's no prize for first place, then it will take some of the fire out of the bellies of those who are more competitive in nature.  Plus, those less skilled gamers will still want to be a part of it because even if they suck, they still might "win".  When I see that stupid banner on the page that says "Still unsure if you want to attend the 2008 Chicago Lan Party? What about a $1000 FFA Halo Tournament to entice you?"  I keep thinking to myself NO!  I know before every putting the Halo disk in that I'll never be able to compete with some of the guys that will be in Chicago.  Why bother?  We all know who the top 10 or so guys are among those attendees.  Let me tell you, I'm not one of them.  If there were random prizes for participation though, maybe I'd consider it.  Otherwise I'll try to save myself the public ass kicking.  Again, you can have a mixer or a competition, but you can't do both.