Can The Very Existence of Meta in a Game harm a
There’s something ironic about how the main factor that gets me into a “Lifestyle Game” is eventually the same factor that causes me to abandon it. That factor being the “Meta”; the game within the game. You know, it’s team comps, it’s option selects, it’s fucking Korean Backdashing and directional input.
Real-quick clarification: A “Lifestyle Game” is a video game with a high potential to (and most times is designed to) become your main game; your default, your go-to, the game you play in-between other releases. Overwatch, Smash Bros., Tekken, Street Fighter, Diablo, Team Fortress 2, Dota 2, Fortnite, Call of Duty; the list is never-ending. Which is great, don’t get it twisted. Everyone deserves a game they can dive into that also rewards that investment (whether in content, community, or both).
They’re such appealing value propositions; whether you’re frugal with money, with time, or with focus. My whole life, I’ve gravitated towards games that promised to take that very thing from me. Like I said, it’s a value proposition: get into this game and you won’t have to buy or care about another game for a while; like, for a while.
Other than the prospect of value, what gets me into these games is watch high-level play; the pros and those aspiring to be. When I want to see a game being played with purpose–as close to “as intended” as possible–that’s when I feel comfortable making a call on it. Granted, my purpose is significantly less ambitious. I don’t desire to be a pro Tekken or Overwatch player; I just want to kill time while saving money, all while being decent at what I’m doing. When I say “decent”, I mean the best within my social circle. I’m on that low-level petty grind; hard.
It’s gotten to the point where I reach my petty goalpost rather quickly. Then, begins the spiral….
It goes down like this:
First, word comes in about a new game.
Then, I research it.
Eventually, I buy it.
Afterwards, it becomes my new obsession.
At some point, I reach my personal skill-cap.
Following that, I “Whiplash” myself, attempting to go beyond that. Why? Well, at this point, I’ve become convinced that there is a “right” way to play the game; the “right” way being how Saint, and Ninja, and Tokido play. And me? I’m simply a pretender to the throne that I actually don’t want but have somehow convinced myself is everything.