Comp Games Against New Players

[Togakure]

Over the last week or two, veteran(s) from the old Shoggie days have been returning to play Shogun online. This is great--we all appreciate good players to play with and against, but I've noticed something about which I'd like to get a general opinion.

My question is this: Do you think it's cool to host a competitive 1v1 game, invite anyone to play without declaring the game as comp, and then accept an opponent who is obviously new and doesn't understand the competitive system?

My personal opinion is that this is not cool. I term vets who do this as predators,--peeps who rack up their honor points (sic) primarily (but not necessarily exclusively) by playing inexperienced players.

I feel that the honorable thing to do is:
- always declare publicly that it's a comp game
- ask the person who joins if they understand how comp works, and,
- refrain from playing comp with peeps who lack experience in online play.

There are still some very good players who will play comp, and they are honorable ones, at that. I just don't understand how anyone could feel proud about an honor score that was earned playing comp against new, inexperienced players.

I would have posted this in the Jousting Fields, but I'm a Shogun player, and my question stems from playing Shoggie online. I've also heard that there isn't a competitive point system for MTW and VI. As many MTW and VI players used to play Shogun, I didn't want to post it in the Sword Dojo either as topics don't get as much attention there nowadays. I'd like to hear from anyone who's played Shogun online since its inception.

Folks, what's your take on this?

[Togakure]

*bump*

[Sasaki Kojiro]

Not Honorable http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

[Mithrandir]

Who cares about ranking, the STW online playing community (nice scrabble-word) is already so small people know who is good and who isnt.

Once I finally force myself to play online, I'm sure I'll lose all my battles (no camels in STW http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/mecry.gif ), and losing ,gaining ,giving or spitting points doesnt matter to me :)

[Mithrandir]

But in terms of honorable or not honorable,
not honorable would apply here http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/tongue.gif

[Gregoshi]

Togakure, I'll second Mith's question: do the comp honour points really matter anymore? Why would anyone play comps anyway? Being a big fish in a really, really small pond doesn't seem to gain anything.

I will agree with all the others though that the practice lacks honour - especially if honour (points) is what they are seeking.

[Togakure]

Up until this started, I never played comp games, and rarely saw others who did, unless they were two vets who knew each other and wanted to add some pressure to the game.

What concerns me is that some of the new players, many who are younger, do care about their honor points--that is, once they know what they are and what they mean. I'd hate to see some get put off and not show anymore.

Mithrandir and Gregoshi, I understand where you're coming from. I guess I'm just hypersensitive to bullies, and this is how I view people who do what I described above. Thanks for taking the time to share your views.

The ironic thing is, I created another ID to challenge this person (I'll never play comps as Toga), and he dropped before the game started, saying he had to go. I then hosted games with new guys, and FORGOT TO CHANGE THE GAME TYPE http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/gc-wall.gif. I ended up doing the very thing I didn't like. http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/mecry.gif I felt rather crappy about that. I apologized profusely, but one of the guys left almost immediately and I haven't seen him since. Losing new players is a drag.

[Gregoshi]

That's a shame about forgetting to change the game type. Sounds like something I'd do.

I totally agree with your point Togakure. I was just surprised that comp games are even played anymore. When I drifted away from the STW arena, most players realized the flaws and the silliness of comp games and rarely played them. I guess times have changed. What is really sad though is when it drives away new players - especially when every player is needed to keep the gaming alive.

[Togakure]

Thanks Gregoshi-san. The perspective offered by you and Mithrandir have helped me to see this from a different angle. I'm going to just let things be and have fun. If people join the comps games then so be it. If they lose honor points, perhaps they don't care, and if they don't, why should I? If someone complains, then I'll share the perspective you've shared with me. Why worry about comp? It means nothing. If seeing points less than 100 bothers anyone, then I'll suggest they simply create a new ID, and avoid comp games in the future. And I'll encourage them to HAVE FUN.

As for the vet who's been comping the new guys, well, I guess he'll have to work out his inferiority complex on his own, and if stealing honor points from new players makes him feel better, then I guess in a sense that's good thing too http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif.

Cheers.

[Gregoshi]

That's the spirit http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/pat.gif

Maybe if you have the chance you can ask the vet why they play comps. This will give you the chance to tell them that no one really cares about that anymore. Friendly's are where it is at these days. Fun is the name of the game as STW approaches retirement age.

[Cazbol]

Quote[/b] (Mithrandir @ Mar. 04 2004,18:00)]Once I finally force myself to play online, I'm sure I'll lose all my battles (no camels in STW http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/mecry.gif ).....
You and your stinking camels. http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/gc-wall.gif http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif

[InsaneApache]

Hi guys..I dont often post on the .org http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/gc-stunned.gif ...but id like to put in my 'fourpennath worth'.....
As many of u will know I,ve played mp STW for many years and I have to say that this practise, thought deplorable has gone on from the start. I was, as a newbie, suckered in to this, I only found out when I joined my first clan and the Daimyo pointed out to me that I had played a 'comp' game which was against the clan rules. I suppose at the end of the day I should have taken more notice....but u guys know what its like...its 3 am in the morning...uve had a few beers.....mebbe some elicit substance... http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/gc-blush.gif and ur bloods up cos ur on a roll.
However gaining points on STW never meant anything apart from the fact that ud won a lot of games it never was an indicator that the warrior was honourable....
Mebbe thats why the devs didnt include the ladder in MTW/VI.
thnx

InsaneApache