The Sporting Life

I've been watching a lot of PvP recently. And whether I've been supporting my friends, or just watching random matches I've noticed something. There are lot of bad sports out there. PvP is really the 'sport' of Wizard101. So why not treat it like the sport it is?

Okay as some of you might know, I am not a big sporty person at all. Once upon a time I thought 'March Madness' was football. (I know, I know. Please don't hurt me. I was young and foolish!) But something I have been taught and have learned over my life is the value of sportsmanship. Good sportsmanship that is.

The Merriam-Webster dictionary defines sportsmanship thus:

Sportsmanship: conduct (as fairness, respect for one's opponent, and graciousness in winning or losing) becoming to one participating in a sport.

Does that sound all that hard? Really now? Okay it kind of does, but trust me it's not.

The integrity of the game is everything. - Peter Ueberroth 

I think that there has already been a lot said about cheating and spamming in PvP by people much more experienced than myself, so I won't pretend like I've got that much more to add. Just, play nice. Don't abuse the system. It might be nice to win, but think about the cost. If your a spammer, nobody is really going to like you all that much. 

Sports do not build character. They reveal it. - Heywood Broun 

Don't accuse people. Of... well anything really. Saying it like it is, and accusing people of random bad stuff are different. Accusing people just antagonizes them and makes people generally feel bad. 

Fans don't boo nobodies. - Reggie Jackson

One thing I also have been noticing is the lack of respect of the fans/audience/spectators of PvP. Cheering on your friends is one thing, ragging on the opponents is another. It's not cricket old boy. 

Also chatting away like you're in the nearest Starbucks is really distracting to the players and it's disrespectful. I can speak from experience, when I was playing with KCK there was a lot of excess chatter that was very distracting. I mean have a good time, by all means! But if you want to discuss with your friend whether your outfit looks good for the up coming party you're both going to, try to whisper or group chat it. (I mean it was so bad I had to put people on my ignore list because I couldn't stand their chats running through my box all of the time.) 

Something else I've learned as a spectator, if you feel the need to remind someone of the rules, or you would like to point something out to them, generally instead of smacking down, it's more effective to state it cleverly. 

Victory is in the quality of competition and not the final score. - Mike Marshall

Winning isn't everything. Winning doesn't make you famous or popular. Playing cleverly does. 'Nuff said.

Do you know what my favorite part of the game is? The opportunity to play. - Mike Singletary

I think most of all PvP should be fun. I think that whether you're playing with old friends or new, it should be a great time to learn and challenge yourself to play the game better. To become the best player you can be! (This sounds soo... olympian.) 

I think sportsmanship is knowing that it is a game, that we are only as good as our opponents, and whether you win or lose, to always give 100 percent. - Sue Wicks

I think as both competitors and as spectators, we have to be advocates of good sports and fair play. Not like, go out and take down every team that is bad. Or get all preachy. Just do. Support people who play well. Whether they're your friends or not. If you play, play well. It's pretty simple when you think about it.

One man practicing sportsmanship is far better than a hundred teaching it. - Knute Rockne

So the point of this is really to remind everyone just like a little post-it note stuck to the edge of your computer screen. Play well. Be respectful as a spectator. Have fun. It's a game. Yes it's a challenge. But it's a game. 

~Heather