“It’s not about winning.”
Introduction
TCG (Trading Card Game) players may say that “it’s not about winning” for a few reasons. One reason may be that they are trying to emphasize the importance of having fun and enjoying the game, regardless of whether they win or lose. Another reason could be that they want to discourage toxic behavior that can sometimes arise when winning becomes the sole focus of the game.
However, it’s also true that most TCG players do care about winning. Winning is often the ultimate goal of playing a competitive game, and it’s a natural desire to want to come out on top. The phrase “it’s not about winning” may be more accurately interpreted as “winning isn’t everything,” or “there are other important aspects of the game besides winning.”
Ultimately, TCG players may say “it’s not about winning” to emphasize the importance of sportsmanship, good attitude, and having fun, while still recognizing that winning is an important aspect of the game.
Players that cannot stand losing
Players can get angry if they lose for a variety of reasons. For some players, winning may be a very important goal and losing can be frustrating or disappointing. Additionally, losing can be seen as a personal failure or a reflection of one’s skill level, which can be frustrating for some players. Furthermore, in some cases, players may have invested a lot of time, effort, and money into building a deck or preparing for a match, so losing can feel like a waste of resources. If the player is competing in a tournament or a league with stakes, such as prizes or rankings, losing can also mean missing out on those rewards.
Dealing with aggression
It’s worth noting that some players may have a competitive or aggressive personality, which can make them more prone to getting angry or upset when they lose. However, it’s important to remember that getting angry or upset is not an excuse for poor sportsmanship or unsportsmanlike behavior towards opponents. TCG players should always strive to be gracious in victory and defeat, regardless of the outcome of the match. If a player does misbehave in an unsportsman-like behavior, it is best to notify your tournament organiser if it happens frequently.
The Paradox
The relationship between not caring about winning because it’s about fun and then caring about winning because of an inability to handle losing can be considered a paradox.
On one hand, the idea of not caring about winning and prioritizing fun suggests that the player is not overly concerned with the outcome of the game and is instead focused on enjoying the experience. However, on the other hand, if the player becomes upset or unable to handle losing, it suggests that winning and losing do have an impact on their enjoyment of the game.
This contradiction creates a paradoxical situation, where two opposing ideas are both true at the same time. In this case, the paradox is between the idea of prioritizing fun over winning and the reality of being upset when losing occurs.
The Prizes
TCGs like Flesh and Blood have top-heavy prize support. In bigger events, typically the top 2 or top 8 players, while the remaining players receive smaller prizes or no prizes at all. In this type of prize structure, there is a strong incentive for players to prioritize winning in order to secure one of the top prizes, which can be significantly more valuable than any lower place finish.
This incentive can cause players to become more focused on winning and less focused on enjoying the experience of playing the game. Additionally, players who invest a lot of time, effort, and money into preparing for a tournament may become more upset when they lose, as they feel they have missed out on a significant opportunity to earn a valuable prize.
In some cases, top-heavy prize support may also create a more competitive and aggressive atmosphere, as players are more motivated to win at all costs. This can detract from the overall enjoyment of the game and lead to negative experiences for players who are more focused on having fun than on winning.
Winner gets the Cold Foil
Additionally, for example in Flesh and Blood, the emphasis on the “Cold Foil” prize in Armories (local tournaments), which are usually the go-to event format for new players, can create a sense of disappointment and frustration for those who do not win it, particularly if they invested a significant amount of time and resources into preparing for the tournament. This can lead to negative feelings and a diminished sense of enjoyment for these players, which is not conducive to the overall health of the TCG community.
Therefore, while having a “Cold Foil” prize for the #1 finisher can be an effective way to create excitement and incentivize competitive play, it’s important to balance this with other factors that encourage players to focus on enjoying the game and building a positive community. This can include more equal distribution of prizes, additional prize categories, and fostering a culture of sportsmanship and inclusivity.
The solution?
A potential solution is to create additional prize categories that focus on factors other than winning, such as creativity or sportsmanship. For example, players could be awarded prizes for the most unique deck, the best use of a particular card or strategy, or for exhibiting particularly good sportsmanship throughout the tournament. These types of prizes can help to encourage players to focus on aspects of the game beyond just winning and can help to create a more positive and inclusive atmosphere at tournaments. Overall, by adjusting the prize structure and creating additional prize categories, TCG tournaments can help to balance the importance of winning with the importance of having fun and enjoying the game, reducing the impact of the paradox and creating a more positive experience for all players involved.
Award Creativity
Another potential solution to balance the importance of winning with the importance of having fun and being creative in a TCG tournament is to create additional prize categories that focus on factors other than winning. For example, one such category could be to give extra prizes to the highest performing off-meta deck. This type of prize category would reward players who are willing to experiment with new and unconventional strategies, rather than just playing the most popular and well-established decks.
By incentivizing players to try out new things and push the boundaries of what’s possible within the game, this type of prize category can help to create a more diverse and interesting meta-game, and encourage players to approach the game in a more creative and open-minded way. At the same time, this type of prize category can help to reduce the emphasis on winning at all costs, and encourage players to focus on having fun and enjoying the experience of playing the game, rather than solely on winning.
By creating a more inclusive and supportive environment for players to try out new ideas and strategies, TCG tournaments can become more engaging and exciting for players at all levels of experience and skill.
What if you are new?
It is understandable that casual or new players may become demotivated if they consistently lose to more skilled players in TCG tournaments. However, it’s important to recognize that losing is a natural and inevitable part of any competitive game, and that learning from defeat is an important step in improving one’s own skills and strategies.
That being said, it’s important to create a welcoming and supportive environment for players of all levels of experience and skill, and to ensure that newer or more casual players are not discouraged from participating in tournaments or other competitive events. Another way to support newer or more casual players is to provide opportunities for coaching or mentoring, either through organized events or through informal interactions with more experienced players. This can help to build confidence and skills, and can create a more welcoming and supportive community for players at all levels.
Ultimately, creating a positive and supportive environment for TCG players of all levels is essential for the long-term health and growth of the game, and can help to ensure that everyone has the opportunity to enjoy and learn from the game, regardless of their level of experience or skill.
How I deal with losing?
My personal philosophy, which I try to practice, is that everyone deserves happiness equally. This includes ourselves. So, when I win, I am happy for myself, and if my opponent wins, I am happy for them. However, it can be difficult to put this philosophy into practice when facing a rude opponent. For example, I still struggle when I lose to someone who is rude. Nevertheless, if my opponent is friendly and demonstrates good sportsmanship, I am happy for them, and it helps me to enjoy the game regardless of the outcome.
Conclusion
In summary, TCGs can be a fun and rewarding hobby for players of all ages and skill levels. While winning is certainly an important part of the game, it’s also important to focus on having fun, being creative, and learning from both wins and losses. Creating a supportive and inclusive community for TCG players is essential for the long-term health and growth of the game, and can help to ensure that everyone has the opportunity to enjoy and learn from the game, regardless of their level of experience or skill.
If you found this article informative and would like to support us, we have a Patreon page at https://patreon.com/KuganeGaming. By becoming a patron, you not only help us keep this website and our YouTube channel running, but also gain access to a range of hero guides and behind-the-scenes decklists. Thank you for your support!