Social Contract of Gaming? I Think NOT!!
Jason Little
United States
Eden Prairie
Minnesota
-
We've probably all heard, in one form or another, about the Social Contract of Gaming. In simple terms, it's the generally "unwritten rules" on conduct during a game. It's the reason people get together, and the expectations they bring to the table. Whether or not a player realizes it, each individual generally has some stance or reasonable expectation on what a game setting should entail.
The problems with this social contract are many... It's open to interpretation, and there's no accounting for the widely divided points of views and motivations behind why people game. After some inexplicably volatile and unintentionally hurtful game sessions, a few of my friends had extensive conversations about this social contract, and I did some reading on the topic.
I came to realize that, for the most part, the Social Contract is a beautiful thing in concept, but the actuality doesn't readily apply to me and why I play, or what I expect from the other players. But there's just enough that does hold true, that breaches in the contract can hurt feelings, dig up old grudges and cause other unpleasantness. So here's a look at some generic Social Contract conditions, as they relate to certain games, and my point of view. These are not from any one source, but cobbled together and paraphrased from a variety of sources.
Do you have a Social Contract of Gaming?
What axims do you play by?
How do you and your players feel about these issues?
(Please note: I'm by no means stating that I'm right with any of my views -- I'm simply putting forth some information I've come across which I've found very interesting... And playing a bit of the devil's advocate to spur discussion)
-
1.
Board Game: Chess
[Average Rating:7.09 Overall Rank:245]
Jason Little
United States
Eden Prairie
Minnesota
-
Play to the best of your abilities every time. PART I
You should always bring your "A" game and play to the best of your abilities. If you purposefully play below your best, you are doing a disservice to your fellow gamers and cheapening their gaming experience.
The Problem: My best isn't always very good. With some games and some conditions, unless all participants are of the same experience and ability, the games are predictable, uninspired and repetitive. I could play to the best of my ability during chess against someone far more experienced who is slacking off and still lose every time. And what about games like Yahtzee? How can I play my best for a game that's luck dependant? If I choose a move with high probability and fail, did I play my best -- or is the best going for the maximum move, despite its lower chance of success? Your best might not always be up to the standards of your other gamers' best.
-
-
Jason Little
United States
Eden Prairie
Minnesota
-
Play to the best of your abilities every time. PART II
You should avoid intentionally bad moves, lackluster strategy or moves that purposefully weaken your own position. By playing down your abilities, you lessen the experience of the others and cheapen their attempts to win.
The Problem: With a few exceptions, strategy is completely subjective. I know there are dozens of players who have mathematically calculated that the strongest possible opening move, based on certain plantation availabilities, is to begin PR with Settler > Quarry. Others swear by Builder > Small Market. If you always follow the current "best" moves, that leaves no room for experimentation, exploration and discovery. It becomes an automated sequence of events, and is no longer a game -- and no longer fun. I personally enjoy trying things I've never tried before in a game. Even if I lose, I still had a new experience instead of "same old, same old."
-
-
3.
Board Game: Vinci
[Average Rating:7.24 Overall Rank:217]
Jason Little
United States
Eden Prairie
Minnesota
-
Focus on improving your own game position.
If everyone is focused on improving their game position, then everyone can "win" by optimizing his or her personal performance. If fate has you in last place, you should focus on what strategies you can employ to get your best possible score or rank despite your situation.
The Problem: I hate to lose. I find no solace in coming in 6th place of a 5 player game by only 10 points instead of 20. I was still @ss last. I prefer addition by subtraction -- or more accurately, advancement by backstabbing. I have more impact on the game overall if I screw someone else's position over, even if it has smaller impact on my own score. If my move only improves my score by 10 and has no other bearing on the game, that's boring. I'd personally prefer only scoring 5 points, but gouging 5 points out of the person with the lead by attacking his lands/resources/position -- now instead of only impacting one player (me), my move impacts all the players.
-
-
Jason Little
United States
Eden Prairie
Minnesota
-
Play for yourself, not for others
By overtly improving another player's position in the game with your moves, you are lessening the experience for others. Playing the role of 'kingmaker' by throwing your lot in with another player to advance their odds of winning is counter to the Social Contract.
The Problem: There are just some times where you simply can't win, be it by mathematic elimination or self-fulfilling prophecy. Would you prefer to toil on in a game that you've already concluded you cannot win, or remain engaged and active in the game by still having an impact on the outcome? And if your actions are overly influential on creating a "runaway leader" -- then why aren't the other opponents vying for your assistance?
-
-
Jason Little
United States
Eden Prairie
Minnesota
-
If you commit to play a game, play it to the end.
When you agree to play a game, it is reasonable to expect you to complete it, regardless of your position. By becoming distracted, disintereted or trying to wrap up a game early, you're breaching the Contract and doing a disservice to the other players still interested in the game.
The Problem: My attention span sucks. But I do agree with this principle. We played a massive game of Advanced Civilization a while ago, and after 7 hours, I felt that I was mathematically out of the game. Sure, I could possibly vie for 5th place instead of trailing in 6th, but my ability to affect the game and my interest flagged considerably. The prospect of playing for another 3 hours to crown a winner I knew wouldn't be me seemed pointless. I would far prefer to play several other games with everyone starting out on equal footing again. What I didn't realize was that my wanting to quit and crown the current leader as the winner really bothered some of the other players, and that certainly wasn't my intention.
During the game, it was hard to see beyond my own petty disinterest. Afterward, I realized what a poor sport I had been and apologized. My amended 'personal' Social Contract stipulation will keep me from investing time in games that take longer than 4 hours in the future, unless we set a clear and mutually acceptable timeframe.
-
-
Jason Little
United States
Eden Prairie
Minnesota
-
Never cheat.
Cheating cheapens your participation and lessens the victory for the other players. Cheating is disrespectful of your fellow gamers and invariably breeds mistrust, which can seep into other social aspects outside of gaming.
The Problem: I agree wholeheartedly with this point. In principle. But it's so *damn* tempting sometimes... Draw a few more cards from your deck, tick off a few extra votes, take an extra dollar from the bank. No one will notice, right?
It can be easy to fall into this trap. Did you read earlier how I hate to lose? Well, it was slightly exaggerated to make a point, but sometimes the prospect of cheating does crop up. Being completely honest, I have to admit that I have cheated at a few games to improve my position. Most of the time I break down and confess by the time the game is over, but even if I don't, I always feel lousy about it.
But I've "cheated" far more often to subtley nudge a game in someone else's favor. Especially for my niece, nephew and wife -- or friends who've been having especially bad days. I don't mind them rubbing in an especially close victory I helped them achieve, since I still got what I wanted out of the game -- social interaction and fun.
-
-
Jason Little
United States
Eden Prairie
Minnesota
-
Remember, it's just a game - we're all here to have fun.
Um... Remember, it's just a game - we're all here to have fun... There's not much more to say than that.
The Problem: There is no problem. I can agree with this 100%. It doesn't always work out that way, but if everyone can at least agree on this one principle, a lot of the other issues sort of work themselves out, don't you think?
-
-
Camo Coffey
United Kingdom
Newcastle upon Tyne
Tyne & Wear
-
Discriminate Carefully. PART 1
If you're going to target someone (ie. place the Robber), target the leader in preference; the leader expects it and should not feel victimised for the attack. (Of course, this contract doesn't really apply to wargames or others with any kind of high screwage factor.)
The Problem: Often, I may have other reasons for targeting a different player. To use Settlers as the example, perhaps I know that player has resources I need. Alternatively, perhaps that player has been targeting me all game, and this is pure retribution...
On the other hand, perhaps this contract should instead be not to feel victimised if you have been targeted -- but that might require a somewhat more saintly approach to gaming than we're familiar with, especially if (like ynnen admits) you hate to lose...
-
-
Camo Coffey
United Kingdom
Newcastle upon Tyne
Tyne & Wear
-
Discriminate Carefully. PART 2
If you're going to target other players, don't victimise any one player; it creates ill feeling and reduces enjoyment of the game -- for that player and, sympathetically, the others as well.
The Problem: I do prefer to "spread the love" but sometimes it's just necessary to keep drowning one player's ships; he's well in the lead, after all (to satisfy PART 1, above). As long as that player knows he'll not necessarily be my target in the next game, I won't feel too guilty.
-
-
|
|
there)
winning or losing a game in this situation, and have made it a policy never to do this for any reason.[/quote]
is another example. I don't want to sit there with $100 and 10 mortgaged properties, waiting to see which of the two superpowers will knock me out, and I certainly don't want to sit around waiting for them to finish up. I wouldn't want to subject anyone else to that feeling either. 
)
