Who is Your Player 2? Part 2 – Rival Challenger

In part one of this series, we took a quick look at the social aspect of gaming, and the importance of selecting the most suited type of Player 2 for cooperative gaming.

We also discussed some practical ways that we can cultivate the traits in ourselves that will take us down a path to being a more generous, loyal, and skillful person in how we deal with those around us.

I hope you enjoy part two, as we look at another type of Player 2 – one born out of adversity!

Retro Gaming Head to Head Multiplayer

I love a good head-to-head multiplayer game. My favorite genre (and the one that ate most of my arcade quarters) is fighting games. This was the main arcade draw of my teenage years; Street Fighter 2, Mortal Kombat, Virtua Fighter, Tekken, Killer Instinct, Samuari Shodown – I remember when each of these games were released for the very first time in the arcades.

This type of game was a big shift – you were no longer fighting off the computer for your hard earned quarters, you were battling against another human for the right to keep playing the game. And as the more powerful 16 bit home consoles (Sega Genesis, Super Nintendo, Neo Geo AES) became available, these battles moved to the living room TV.

So when it comes to head-to-head video games, who is your player 2?

In part one, I defined three types of Player 2’s.

• Player 2 as Reciprocal/Companion – Fellow Traveler on a Shared Quest
• Player 2 as Rival/Challenger – Opponent to Overcome
• Player 2 as Role Model – Example to Follow; Coach

Let’s take a closer look at the second type of Player 2, filling the role of Rival/Challenger and as your greatest opponent to overcome.

Player 2 as Rival/Challenger – Opponent to Overcome

 

The focus of this individual is Challenge

In this case, Player 2 is the person standing between you and victory. One of the most common ways that I have enjoyed this type of interaction, is in head to head fighting games. While in games like Final Fight and Streets of Rage you and your friend fought off computer controlled foes, the tables have now turned and you are battling each other.

Now this is not to say that you are turning your back on your friendship: quite the opposite, but it does represent a significantly different play style, and is best served by a different type of Player 2.

When it comes to fighting games like Street Fighter IV, Killer Instinct, or Mortal Kombat, the very nature of the two player game is that it is best enjoyed against another player of equal or slightly greater skill level. Now, of course it is no fun to get trounced on in games like this, but when both of you are pretty closely matched in your skill level, it is an amazing rush.

And something interesting happened as a byproduct of this level of competition:

I learned how to play better.

In the same way that the support and encouragement of the Reciprocal/Companion type of Player 2 helps in cooperative games, equal or slightly greater skill levels help in the Rival/Challenger arena.

When going head to head, you learn tricks and tactics that let you improve your own game. And this is not limited to fighting games. Mario Kart or Golden Eye are both great examples of how healthy competition can be fun and make you a better player in the process.

Test Your Might!

Just as there are specific traits that make for a superb Reciprocal Player 2, there are a different set of traits that make for an excellent Rival Player 2. Here are the traits that make for a good head to head player two:

Skill

In the Reciprocal Player 2, their skill kept you alive – in the Rival Player 2 their skill keeps you on your toes, and pushes you to be better. Perhaps you have heard “As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.” The perfect example of this is found in the balance of Ryu and Ken from Street Fighter.

Neither one totally dominating the other, each with their own subtle strengths and weak points, able to balance and cancel out each other in a careful game of strategy. This tension is best if your Rival Player 2 is slightly better than you, but not so much that you don’t have any chance of winning.

When there is a large skill gap, the better player will become bored and seek out greater competition. Such is the way of the warrior.

Good Sport

Another vital skill for your Rival Player 2 is that of temperance. If they are better than you and you manage to beat them, having a friend who will rage-quit or throw your controller against the wall is not cool.

You may even find them resorting to physical violence. I once knew a “friend” who said if they unplugged my controller or pushed me over as part of their strategy to win, it was totally fair. Needless to say, I did not play many head-to-head games with them for long!

Good Teacher

The very best in this category are willing to tell you how to do that secret move, show you the hidden pathway, or let you in on a better way of doing things. If your player two is a stuck up jerk that won’t tell you how a move is done, it’s time to move on to another player.

This is not as big of a deal now, since the internet has proliferated what were once considered tightly guarded secrets, but think about this: the writers of these FAQ’s are exactly the type of sage that I am speaking of. Without their generosity and teaching spirit, were would all be button mashing our way through many games.

Who is Your Rival Player 2?

The traits that makes a good Reciprocal Player 2, also makes for a really good business partner or competitive co-worker.

Take a look around you – who pushes you to accomplish more?

Do they demonstrate skill, a good nature, and are great teachers?

What about you? How do you spur others on to action, encouraging them to do better and step up their game? Someone out there needs you to come alongside them and give a friendly kick in the pants.

Get moving! You’re better than this!

Are You Ready for the Next Level?

STAGE 1:
Have you found your rival? If not, look for others who have the same type of career, passions, or hobbies and are a few steps ahead of you. Identify 3 strengths about them that are similar to your strengths, as well as 3 things that make them different.

STAGE 2:
Are you a good Rival Player 2? How do you demonstrate the desired traits for others?
Look for a way to encourage and challenge a coworker or friend this week. Let them know “You can do this!” if they fail, tell them “Give it another shot – I know you are better than this.”

STAGE 3:
Commit to a “Sparring” partner. Once you have a Rival identified, make plans together about how you will help keep each other at the top of the game. Set up a regular meeting time, and discuss areas you want to improve and work together to master the challenge!

I want to hear from you – leave me a note in the comment section below.

Ideas for comments:
What is Your Favorite head-to-head 2 Player Game?
Who is Your Rival Player 2?
Which STAGE are you going to try?