This is a look into the mind of a raging gamer and why we get so upset...
I know I'm not the only one when it comes to getting upset at a video game. I know I'm not innocent of this either but what makes us tick or ticked off.
I know, through asking questions, that there are several reasons why someone would get upset with a video game. We either are truly over-competitive or are embarrassed by our not so smart game play. Some people simply get angry when they get out played or outsmarted. They take it personal as if the actions were directed purely at them. Even though, they kind of were.
To get more knowledge of this, we will have to get a closer look at what rage is. Rage is a common basic emotion closely linked with anger.
(1) "Anger is an emotional state involving a strong uncomfortable and non-cooperative response to a perceived provocation, hurt or threat."
In this direct confrontation with rage (anger) a person will experience many different chemistry changes within their body. To include an increased heart rate, increase in sweating, blood pressure, adrenaline and noradrenaline dumps, salivation and a restriction in vision (tunnel vision). In these situations, the person's body functions become secondary and actions towards the escalating force become paramount. This is commonly referred to the "Fight or Flight" reflex. You're either going to run from the altercation or meet it head on.
These things typically get out of hand, quickly. I have witnessed several people break controllers, punch television screens or monitors and even harm themselves. A healthy break from the conflict can de-escalate the issue and bring even a better playing experience.
Now what exactly triggers these anger episodes, is it a general angry person or is it a person who is struggling with personal life issues.
People get angry for a plethora of reasons; most I won't even include due to them not being relevant. People get angry due to being disrespected, being violated, being frightened or intimidated, being interrupted or feeling powerless. Let's break these down even further. Needless to say, there are several people (and I mean several people) who say or do things in a video game simply to get a rise out of people, trolling. Trolling hits just about every aspect of what angers people. There are also the teammates and sometimes close friends that can "throw the jab" that can set us off. We have to remember not everyone lived the day we did today, and they might have had a bad day. the smallest insult could set them off. There are countless ways individually to anger someone but in games one of the most common is being insulted amongst your peers. This touches on the "being violated, disrespected and powerless" scenarios.
When someone is not doing so well, and their teammates turn and insult them this can set someone off. Regardless of what's being said. I have heard grown men cuss out minor children in vulgar language they did not understand simply due to the child telling the adult they were not doing well. Granted the child told the adult they "sucked", and the adult threw the entire book at them.
Now, there are the isolated incidents where life has gotten too much, and person wants to simply play a match or two to escape the stresses and get additional stress. I have taken upon myself to know when I have reached that point and have downloaded games that are not competitive to play when I'm not in the mood. These can be anything from single player campaign type games like Far Cry or the Gotham franchise, to constructive games like Farming Simulator or The Sims. These are some good de-stressors that have almost no competitive edges.
I would be lying if I said I never got so mad that I had to walk away from a video game. I am a very competitive person and losing is not something I like to do. I can tell you I've had to walk away from a video game in the last week due to my frustrations and angers with simply being out played. Not that I took it personally, but I pride myself as a very tactful person and like to think of most games as a chess match. "I do this, you're going to do that, and I should be able to respond with this." However, when that plan doesn't work either due to me not thinking the situation fully through or a lack of player experience on my side or the opponent's, it didn't go that way. I got upset and walked away and returned maybe 10 minutes later with a level head and an eagerness to not let that happen again.
We need to start working on self-awareness and knowing where our boundaries are, so we don't cross them and cause additional stress. I am the oldest member of TeamWipe and I don't want to have a heart attack due to me getting upset at someone else. We should forever be trying to improve and grow as people and improve our ways of life and knowing when we can or cannot handle a competitive is a good start. Let's just remember why we game and remember we are here for the moments of laughs and smiles.
As someone who has struggled through some things and have been there for friends and strangers going through things, we are all we got. We need to look after each other and make sure were good first before we start making jokes at another's expense. When we leave this plane of existence (whatever religion you believe in) all we leave with is our word and our pride. Don't strip someone of either.
Now let's get out there and play some games and not lose our S#*%!
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