One of my teammates asked me why I wasn’t progressing as fast as him. I have to admit, there are a few reasons why I am not.
I’ve decided to play this game more of a support role rather than someone chasing power and control. I decided to try and make my alliances better, but also check on everyone else I come across. I feel that you have to strip away the alliance tag and just talk to everyone as a person.
Warrior in the Garden
I follow a lot of teachings and try to apply them in all aspects in my life. I feel it is better to be myself instead of trying to a different version of myself, even online. No projection or manipulation.
“THIS IS A WAR GAME” – as I’m told daily. LOL. But I like to test my patience and work on a different perspective in the constructs of this game. Be a warrior in a garden.
Musashi is one of my heroes in real life. I follow a lot of the Book of 5 Rings writings. I base a lot of my online character traits from feudal Japan with Musashi, Sanada clan and even a bit of Ryoma Sakamoto. It is often I use the red armor of the Sanada clan in my character.
The philosophy of Musashi is more of the battle within and preparing yourself mentally.
I became an ethical player
I have always played games within my morals, values and beliefs. I like to play as my genuine self as much as possible. Being online, it’s okay to put on a mask and be anonymous. Some people are introverted in real life and this maybe their outlet for frustrations, social interactions, validation…etc. That is fine.
I want to play how I am as a person. I love to have fun and be goofy. I like interacting with many people and learning from them.
Part of me is a cognitive empath.
With that said, I try not to be so harsh online. I don’t know what people are going through in real life, so I want will refrain personal attacks or insults. I don’t mind pointing out issues and wrongdoing, but it will be framed properly.
Most people I come across, I treat with respect. That is my baseline, to have good faith in someone. From there, I start analyzing our interactions and assess if there is something off. Everyone has a different view or perspective and that is something I respect, but if they do things that I find immoral, low value or just plain weird, I’ll adjust on how I approach them. If there is a break of trust, I just won’t interact with them unless we are forced to collaborate. I don’t mind being cordial, but to me, a snake in a grass is a snake in the grass.
I also ‘trust people to be themselves’. If they are horrible people, they will reveal themselves to be horrible people.
Another approach I have taken is checking in on people. This game is addictive and taxing… so I always want to check many of those I have come across and see if they are good.
I saw a few R5s going through some issues and I wanted to let them know, it’s okay to take a break. I try to have conversations that isn’t always Last Z related.
Diplomacy
I approach this game with a sense of ‘liberal internationalism‘. This is the current global relations are based on. If you don’t know the meaning, please look it up.
I do believe in open communication and trying to solve issues together to find a better solution. This type in social interaction will lead to more communication and trust.
On a micro level, I use it to try and bring alliances to agreements or understanding. In this game, it is having a non aggression pact. Having these social constructs helps with cooperation and collaboration between either people, alliances or servers.
Team Dynamics
While it is a war game, I look at the strategy of the game, I look at the what I can do within my alliance to help bring people together. Again, team dynamics. How to make a high performing team. Social interactions, team cohesion and player retention.
Teaching
I think one of the biggest issues is that this game starts off as a shooter and then suddenly you are in a world of base building, alliances and powering up everything. It’s kind of a shocker if you didn’t expect it. I think when people try to play the game, they don’t realize how in-depth the game mechanics are.
I do take a Pedigogical approach.
The Challenges to building a team
The challenges of having a team with anonymity, is that you have to build trust with people first and foremost. They have to feel part of the team and family.
The other issue could be understanding directions because of language barriers. While the translate function is good, there is still issues with people’s typing patterns (some are erratic typing).
Time zones also play a factor when events are happening and we see this when it’s SvS. People in different time zones sleep or at work, while others are playing…
Real Life priorities – we should absolutely understand that this is just a game. Some are more committed and vested and others… well this is just a game.
I try to approach this game and situations in real life with this in my mind. Applying this online and in a game doesn’t have real world consequences. It’s really building and trusting total strangers and try to make a team.
