“Competitive games are not for me.”
“Competitive gamers tend to be jerks.”
“Competitive games take all the fun out of it.”
Have you ever heard sentiments like these? Maybe you’ve said them yourself! The fact is, a lot of people have had bad experiences in competitive gaming. People have acted like jerks at tournaments. They’ve complained, harassed, or even cheated. I know, I’ve heard the horror stories! And for folks who’ve had that experience, I am very sympathic. Tabletop games should be different from those negative experiences.
That said, I just returned home from three days in lovely Roseville, MN, where I competed in the World Championship for the Star Wars Living Card Game. And I will report that (though coming in at a meager #35) I had a great time! And here’s what I want to report back to you:
Competitive gaming, while it can have frustrating moments, can also be very fun. Have you not played laid-back, roleplaying games that got frustrating? Competitive play is the same way. Sometimes thing go awry. But often, it’s a great experience.
Here are my three take-aways from my World Championship experience that I think will encourage you to give competitive gaming another shot: