Hey everyone! Adam, from TFG Radio, here help contain your inner daemons*!
Many people play 40k for any number of reasons. It’s usually to tell a story between friends, recreate a battle from the 10,000 year history of the Imperium**, or to compete in a tournament. These events attract a fair number of people with a wide variety of personalities. There are some that seem to take the game a bit too seriously than is probably healthy.
In addition to miniature gaming, I still play a number of video games, both on console and PC. When I was younger I would get upset when playing these games and would snap at my younger brothers all the time. I’m pretty sure they deserved it, though. As I grew older it lessened but it would manifest in my 40k games. Until a few years ago I would get upset as the game progresses, snapping at my opponents, and sometimes performing a Star Action: Bitch move. I don’t act out that way anymore and try to keep an upbeat attitude, even when losing. Unfortunately, I’m not seeing it in my fellow players. I’ve either seen, or heard about, a number of aggressive incidents in the last couple years. Examples include threatening players, smashing models(their own), aggressively rolling(throwing) dice, and pounding on the table with excessive force***.
I understand that the game, especially on the competitive level, can be a bit stressful. People deal with it in different ways. I know it not just a game for some, or that they get really hype by the competitive aspect of the game, but you sometime need to find a better way of dealing with losing, or the appearance that you are losing. Everyone is a nice guy when they are winning, or good things are happening. It is when things go against you that your true character shows. Whether It’s a bad die roll, a display on your part, or a rule question doesn’t go tour way, how you deal with these situations dictates how others view and affect your reputation. As these incidents occur more and more, you’ll be welcome at events less and less. So next time things don’t go your way, try to keep a cool head, and play on.
That’s all for this week, I hope you enjoyed the read. Let me know your thoughts, and any stories of people getting upset playing a wargame, in the comments section. Don’t forget to visit our Facebook, Twitch, and Patreon pages to stay up to date on what we’re up to and when episodes drop!
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* In terms of gaming, not your actual, personal life. Get real help for that.
** Although, technically, the “historical battle” you’re recreating is not real.
*** These are events that really did happen.