Discussion: Playing To Win v.s. Playing For Fun

Dark Void

An important part of playing a game is to have fun, we all know that, but what exactly is "having fun?"

Fun said:
A source of enjoyment, amusement, or pleasure.
Click to expand...

As you know, "fun" is the enjoyment that one gets out of doing something. I constantly see Pokémon players solely using something like Blissey or Garchomp because they're good, not because that's what they want to be using. I do realize that some people take a liking to Landsharks, but I know you can agree that a majority of players use it because it's very good, and not because they want to be using it. This is the same deal with something like Blissey. I always see comments like "I would much rather be using something else here, but Blissey is Blissey." The list goes on.

Now, I understand that such Pokémon can fullfill roles that others cannot, but how is using something you would rather not be using enjoyable? This basically leads me to one conclusion, and that is that players see winning as much more fun than losing.
Is winning really the basis of having fun? In all honesty, I would rather get 6-0'd by somebody running a team against me while I'm using a mono-type Bug team than 6-0 them with a team stacked with synergized 600 BSTs. I've tried to use teams with things like Garchomp, Heatran, and basically Pokémon I'm using because they're good. And believe me, I would much, much rather lose then win with Pokémon that I do not enjoy using.

So, is that what Pokémon is? A game where people use what they use because they want to win?

Now, please note this is not a "OMG 600 BSTs and other OU Pokémon are so broken! We should ban them or use shit for the sake of using it!" thread. This is a thread to discuss why you play the game, and how exactly do you describe having fun? I've broken it down into a few question.

• Is using Pokémon you like fun?
• Is using Pokémon you dislike in order to win fun?
• Is playing the game no matter what you're using fun?
• Is winning (period) fun, despite what you are using? (i.e. Are you just playing this game to win?)
• Is using (winning or losing) a type of team you like (i.e. Offensive or Defensive) despite what is on it fun?

Thanks for reading.
 
I don't really get this lol but I'll answer the questions.

1. Hell yeah.
2. Not at all that's why I never use Blissey.
3. No not really.
4. I like winning a lot but I prefer winning while using those I personally like.
 
1. Yes, that's why I am using gastrodon and kecleon for example. In fact all pokemon I am using are the ones I like.
2. No, I prefer to use other pokemon and loosing than a team of 600 BST's and winning.
3. Yes, I prefer my "fun" team over a "boring" team, but it's still fun to play nonetheless if the opponent is good.
4. For the question in the brackets no, but I like winning.
 
1. I never really had a favourite pokemon other than mewtwo and charmeleon back in the day so anything strong is fun for me.
2. It depends if its a tournament then i will use what it takes to win.
3.Yup
4. I dont play the game just to win but that part of it definitely makes it more enjoyable.
 
1. Yes, that is why they have separate tiers so you can use shitty pokemon if you like.

2. Well I dislike Garchomp, but I could have fun using him. I mean I guess it depends on the person here.

3. Hmm.. it depends, if I was losing all the time then no because I dislike losing all the time.

4. Hmm well I like to win but it is not the end of the world if I lose, and I can still have fun.
 
My favorites are the ones that make me win.

Of course... there are room for non-serious battles every once and a while (my Team Rocket team for example) but in general I'm willing to use Blissey, etc. if needed, despite the fact that I don't like them.
 
I completely agree with you. I play something because it’s fun, not solely to win. If I did something just for the sake of winning, I’d run into a toddler football match and bash a win through. I’d win but it wouldn’t be very fun.

And yes, a lot of people run template-teams for the sake of winning, regardless of whether or not they actually like the Pokémon. I’m sorry to say that I fail to see how people find any gratification in playing a team that completely standard and is played just because it’s known to work.

To answer your questions,

1. Is using Pokémon you like fun?

Yes. Like any game, I’ll always use the character that appeals to me the most rather the ones that are considered to be the best. Sometimes you’ll have to compensate to measure up to the metagame however, but I try to make that compromise as little as possible. It’s like how you’re forced to use a main character in an RPG.

2. Is using Pokémon you dislike in order to win fun?

No. If I played a game of bowling I’d rather lose with my friends than winning with a bunch of extremely skilled jerks.

3. Is playing the game no matter what you’re using fun?

In single player mode the Pokémon I use are even on heavier emphasis that I like them. In competitive battling it'll be influenced by having a stable team and using Pokémon I like.

4. Is winning fun, despite what you are using?

Don’t get me wrong, winning is fun. But it’s a ladder or priorities where the Pokémon I want to use is first and winning is second, and winning/having a viable team will still influence my choice of Pokémon.
 
I play for fun, but of course it's not fun to lose all the time. I hate Blissey, so I don't use her. I've won plenty of matches without her. I use Pokemon that I like, but I also know can nab me a win.
 
Dark Void said:
I really didn't expect people to answer the questions; more so of a discussion than an interigation.
Click to expand...

Well in that case, it will be the same answer, I prefer fun pokemon than good pokemon. But luckely for me the pokemon I like happen to have good base-stats (except for kecleon but he has other qualities). But I know I would win a lot more if I used blissey and co. I might use them in a tournement where it can be more important to win than to have fun.
 
Nice analogies, buddha_the_god. This concept obviously applies to any game, not just Pokemon.

Thank you everyone so far for your thoughts and contributions.
 
1. Isn't this question a bit stupid? Who answers" HELL NO, I HATE USING POKEMON I LIKE" <_<.

2. If I really don't like a pokemon, I won't use it (see:Blissey/Garchomp)

3. Well the thing is, Even though my current team is made up of 6 OU's, it's an offensive team, which is the type of team I absolutely love. I also have fun w/ my team cause It's well thought out, so I win a lot not just because I use 6 OU's, but because they all have roles and work with each other real well. Also, my team does include one of my fav. pokes, Mamoswine. Wow, I think I said a little too much for that short question..

4. This isn't much of a problem for me, I know if I used Garchomp and/or Blissey winning would be less fun, so I don't use them.

I think you need to include something about how using the type of team you like and winning can be fun.
 
Luphrous said:
1. Isn't this question a bit stupid? Who answers" HELL NO, I HATE USING POKEMON I LIKE" <_<.
Click to expand...

The question asks if using Pokemon you like is fun. Some people do not do this, and use other Pokemon because they want to win. And it is also a question to show others that use Pokemon that they don't necessarily like that it can be fun to lose while using what you like to use.

Luphrous said:
I think you need to include something about how using the type of team you like and winning can be fun.
Click to expand...

Isn't that just obviously fun? I really don't think pulling a win out when using a type of team you like would ever be anything other than fun, unless it was a depressing battle with a lacking opponent. Will do though. Thanks.
 
• Is using Pokémon you like fun?
as long as they're useful. why use a poke you like if it does badly in battle? who enjoys that?

• Is using Pokémon you dislike in order to win fun?
when i "dont like" a poke its because i find its not useful on my kind of teams. ex: bliss, cress ive never found to really fit in to my teams as much as other pokes.


• Is playing the game no matter what you're using fun?
not if you have a crappy team with a bunch of weaks. i like doing well in battles. random battls are fun though.


dont play competitively if you dont prioritize winning imo
dont play competitively if you dont like seeing top tier ou pokes.

if you want to use uu/bl pokes, do it well (see lee, bologo). it requires creativity and intelligence, and it can be done.

if i see someone with a badly thought out team with marcago or whatever playing on ladder, they can have all the fun they want beating a noob once or twice or something, but i'd rather do well with a well thought out team
 
Gormenghast said:
why use a poke you like if it does badly in battle? who enjoys that?
Click to expand...

Keep in mind, alot of Pokemon have certain niches that make them stand out, but I can see what you're saying. Although, I was speaking of situations such as Flygon v.s. Garchomp. For example, "Matt" loves his Flygon, but believes Garchomp outclasses it. Matt hates Garchomp but decides to use him because he wants to win.

Stuff like that.
 
i like using non high tier ou for the element of surprise they bring. cs flygon is a pretty cool poke (draco meteor uturn eq fb) or something.

as far as hating a poke but using it to win, thats not really an angle i understand

if a poke helps me win battles (without being something reasonably cheap like bpchomp or haxkiss or wobb duggy mag), i like it.

not liking a poke because everyone uses it is kind of childish imo

edit: the following post is a pretty good example of this.
 
1. I have a blast playing with the pokemon I use. I have a very unique team. I tried using Pokemon such as Blissey, Garchomp and Weavile for instince and it's not fun at all because I feel like I have the same exact team as everyone else.

2. Pokemon using I dislike to win is not fun because like I said before it feels like I have the same team as everyone else.

3. I feel that playing the game no matter what I'm using isn't fun because I must use Pokemon that I like, not that I dislike nor using the Pokemon everyone else has.

4. Winning with the team I have now is very fun. If I won with a team that has all godly OU Pokemon, then I really didn't have fun since it's cheap and strong.
 
Gormenghast said:
not liking a poke because everyone uses it is kind of childish imo
Click to expand...

That's not what I'm saying, Garchomp and Blissey were just examples. I'm saying just for whatever reason you dislike a Pokemon, you use it anyway because you want to win.

And that is where people like you come in (who thinks a Pokemon that wins you battles is fun to use, and there is nothing wrong with that), which is why this thread was made, to get all sides of the spectrum.
 
• Is using Pokémon you like fun?
No because the pokemon I like are severely underpowered (Ninetales, Poliwhirl)

• Is using Pokémon you dislike in order to win fun?
I dont care how I win as long as I win
• Is playing the game no matter what you're using fun?
No, I want to win.
• Is winning (period) fun, despite what you are using?
Yes.
• Is using (winning or losing) a type of team you like (i.e. Offensive or Defensive)

Only if it wins.
 
• Is using Pokémon you like fun?

Yes.

• Is using Pokémon you dislike in order to win fun?

I don't use pokemon I dislike. Even Blissey is ok by me.

• Is playing the game no matter what you're using fun?

As long as you aren't getting butt fucked by Battle Tower double teaming god fucking damn Dusclops then yes.

• Is winning (period) fun, despite what you are using? (i.e. Are you just playing this game to win?)

Yes.

• Is using (winning or losing) a type of team you like (i.e. Offensive or Defensive) despite what is on it fun?

Huh. I have an NU team and OU stall. I love them both.
 
what other reasons are there to "dislike" a poke besides

everyone uses it
dont like the way it battles (applies to any tier of poke, nu or ou)
aesthetics? (lol)
 
I tend to think pokemon is fun when its all offense. Thats why in ADV I ran all CB teams and tried to do something similar in D/P

I quit playing ADV when every single team I saw was Zapdos/Suicune/Skarmory/Blissey/Celebi/Tyranitar. It really put a downer on my CB team when i constantly got stalled out. Now someone could tell me here "well if the team you constantly lost to is so good, why didn't you try using it." Obviously I wasn't playing to win here, but stalling people out is completely devoid of "fun" for me and isn't my playing style at all.

I see the same thing happening in D/P. I couldn't use Choice teams anymore cause I get completely raped by Deoxys. However, this isn't the main concern. My concern is when every team turns out to be a tss team with Hippo/Blissey/Skarmory/Poison Spiker/Ghost/random offensive poke.

I really like it when I can play pokemon and have fun. Playing to win isn't really my mantra at all in pokemon cause there is practically no incentive to it. I can't brag to all my friends, pokemon isn't a cultural phenomenon, and I never get to see the person I'm battling most of the time. Hardly any "prize" tournaments either, sponsored or unsponsored.

I'll start "playing to win" when pokemon becomes serious business (I'm not holding my breath).
 
• Is using Pokémon you like fun?
• Is using Pokémon you dislike in order to win fun?
• Is playing the game no matter what you're using fun?
• Is winning (period) fun, despite what you are using? (i.e. Are you just playing this game to win?)
• Is using (winning or losing) a type of team you like (i.e. Offensive or Defensive) despite what is on it fun
Click to expand...

1. yes
2. If you mean blissey yes cause everyone hates it :P
and i dont really dislike any pokemon
3. yes
4. duh
5. yes
 
Gormenghast said:
what other reasons are there to "dislike" a poke besides

everyone uses it
dont like the way it battles (applies to any tier of poke, nu or ou)
aesthetics? (lol)
Click to expand...

Maybe you just don't like it? It's like, unexplainable.

I guess the main reason is because it's "what's in."
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top