Comments on: Cybergame Players Need Coaches Too! http://www.planetphillip.com/posts/cybergame-players-need-coaches-too/ Finishing Half-Life is just the beginning! Thu, 09 Feb 2012 05:57:20 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Ol' Scratch http://www.planetphillip.com/posts/cybergame-players-need-coaches-too/comment-page-1/#comment-204549 Ol' Scratch Thu, 21 May 2009 21:53:12 +0000 http://www.planetphillip.com/cybergame-players-need-coaches#comment-204549 When I looked at a demo of the original HL, I was still very much into the DOOMs, Duke Nukem3D, and Redneck Rampage, and I had trouble even getting past the first bit; so, I didn't get into it then. But, I found a copy of HL at Half-Price Books for about $10, and took the plunge--and if the demo had the training program the beginning of the game has, I would've gone on with it much sooner than I did. Some games absolutely REQUIRE training (not the level that Phil is talking about)--see Crysis. Others, not so much. But I see Phil's point, if you're wanting to be a "pro", having a good trainer is a must, unless you're exceptionally gifted AND able to discern your weaknesses and work on them to make them strengths. When I looked at a demo of the original HL, I was still very much into the DOOMs, Duke Nukem3D, and Redneck Rampage, and I had trouble even getting past the first bit; so, I didn’t get into it then.

But, I found a copy of HL at Half-Price Books for about $10, and took the plunge–and if the demo had the training program the beginning of the game has, I would’ve gone on with it much sooner than I did.

Some games absolutely REQUIRE training (not the level that Phil is talking about)–see Crysis. Others, not so much. But I see Phil’s point, if you’re wanting to be a “pro”, having a good trainer is a must, unless you’re exceptionally gifted AND able to discern your weaknesses and work on them to make them strengths.

]]> By: planetphillip http://www.planetphillip.com/posts/cybergame-players-need-coaches-too/comment-page-1/#comment-204494 planetphillip Wed, 20 May 2009 10:22:58 +0000 http://www.planetphillip.com/cybergame-players-need-coaches#comment-204494 Lars, in answer to your first question I suppose only the individual player can answer that and my answer is "yes, it is worth it." In answer to your second question why can't you do both? I don't see a problem with saying that you enjoy playing video games, either competitively or not, and want to improve yourself. I am not suggesting that players give up other real sports or even spend a lot of time practising. It's possible to improve from just 15 minutes 2 or 3 times a week with some focused practice. I am also not suggesting that SP players require coaching but try and imagine a COMPLETE beginner to FPS games, probably somebody older than a teenager too. Imagine how useful it would be if somebody were there to help them, either in person or virtually. I also wanted to run a planetphillip co-op server to allow new players to join and watch/try/learn/play with others. Not even formal coaching but just playing with others in an SP game is enlightening. SUre, some of the younger PP readers think that they know everything but until they get older and try something new they won't really understand what it's like not to naturally adapt to new situations. What's wrong with wanting to improve at everything you do? Lars, in answer to your first question I suppose only the individual player can answer that and my answer is “yes, it is worth it.” In answer to your second question why can’t you do both? I don’t see a problem with saying that you enjoy playing video games, either competitively or not, and want to improve yourself.

I am not suggesting that players give up other real sports or even spend a lot of time practising. It’s possible to improve from just 15 minutes 2 or 3 times a week with some focused practice.

I am also not suggesting that SP players require coaching but try and imagine a COMPLETE beginner to FPS games, probably somebody older than a teenager too. Imagine how useful it would be if somebody were there to help them, either in person or virtually. I also wanted to run a planetphillip co-op server to allow new players to join and watch/try/learn/play with others.

Not even formal coaching but just playing with others in an SP game is enlightening.

SUre, some of the younger PP readers think that they know everything but until they get older and try something new they won’t really understand what it’s like not to naturally adapt to new situations.

What’s wrong with wanting to improve at everything you do?

]]> By: Lars http://www.planetphillip.com/posts/cybergame-players-need-coaches-too/comment-page-1/#comment-204466 Lars Tue, 19 May 2009 20:02:42 +0000 http://www.planetphillip.com/cybergame-players-need-coaches#comment-204466 Wow Phillip, you really have put some thought into this. Clearly, coaching is a worthwhile and meaty occupation in general. I guess my main question would be, is it worthwhile for video games? If you're going to get serious about developing skills and strategy and physical conditioning, why not go outside and play a sport that actually benefits your body? Coaching and being coached seem to require a significant commitment, and few people are going to see sufficient benefit out of video games to put in that committment. Obviously I'm not part of the CS community or a clan... Wow Phillip, you really have put some thought into this.

Clearly, coaching is a worthwhile and meaty occupation in general.
I guess my main question would be, is it worthwhile for video games? If you’re going to get serious about developing skills and strategy and physical conditioning, why not go outside and play a sport that actually benefits your body?
Coaching and being coached seem to require a significant commitment, and few people are going to see sufficient benefit out of video games to put in that committment.

Obviously I’m not part of the CS community or a clan…

]]> By: planetphillip http://www.planetphillip.com/posts/cybergame-players-need-coaches-too/comment-page-1/#comment-204359 planetphillip Sun, 17 May 2009 10:27:04 +0000 http://www.planetphillip.com/cybergame-players-need-coaches#comment-204359 No need to apologize. I do only do SP-FPS but I believe the principle is the same for sp skills. No need to apologize. I do only do SP-FPS but I believe the principle is the same for sp skills.
]]> By: Jasper http://www.planetphillip.com/posts/cybergame-players-need-coaches-too/comment-page-1/#comment-204358 Jasper Sun, 17 May 2009 10:20:42 +0000 http://www.planetphillip.com/cybergame-players-need-coaches#comment-204358 Oops, sorry Phillip. I only do SP-FPS. I thought that was your bag too.. Delete this when your done! Oops, sorry Phillip. I only do SP-FPS. I thought that was your bag too..
Delete this when your done!
]]> By: planetphillip http://www.planetphillip.com/posts/cybergame-players-need-coaches-too/comment-page-1/#comment-204352 planetphillip Sun, 17 May 2009 09:33:38 +0000 http://www.planetphillip.com/cybergame-players-need-coaches#comment-204352 Jasper, this article was specifically written for Mp players, so it doesn't really relate to SP. However, as you will see later today when I post this week's poll question, strategy and ability are two different things. Jasper, this article was specifically written for Mp players, so it doesn’t really relate to SP. However, as you will see later today when I post this week’s poll question, strategy and ability are two different things.
]]> By: Jasper http://www.planetphillip.com/posts/cybergame-players-need-coaches-too/comment-page-1/#comment-204350 Jasper Sun, 17 May 2009 09:22:03 +0000 http://www.planetphillip.com/cybergame-players-need-coaches#comment-204350 I have read all this and it is brilliant - when applied to the real world. In the gaming world, excepting HL, there are games that need a walkthrough. All the HLs,however, are intuitive and have visual clues and action clues. All the HLs and better mods do not need coaches. I play them all many times with different strategies - that is what makes them fun and demanding. A typical example is the multi strider and hunter map in 'Offshore' which I have played many times with ever more dangerous strategies. Yes I used strategies that did not work but no harm in that. I would hate to have someone coach me when the fun is finding out for yourself. I have also QUAKEd amd DOOMed and the same applies as that for the HL frachise. The answer to the question - for me, NO, NEVER. I have read all this and it is brilliant – when applied to the real world.
In the gaming world, excepting HL, there are games that need a walkthrough. All the HLs,however, are intuitive and have visual clues and action clues.
All the HLs and better mods do not need coaches. I play them all many times with different strategies – that is what makes them fun and demanding.
A typical example is the multi strider and hunter map in ‘Offshore’ which I have played many times with ever more dangerous strategies. Yes I used strategies that did not work but no harm in that. I would hate to have someone coach me when the fun is finding out for yourself.
I have also QUAKEd amd DOOMed and the same applies as that for the HL frachise.
The answer to the question – for me, NO, NEVER.
]]> By: john http://www.planetphillip.com/posts/cybergame-players-need-coaches-too/comment-page-1/#comment-204326 john Sat, 16 May 2009 20:59:56 +0000 http://www.planetphillip.com/cybergame-players-need-coaches#comment-204326 i agree, i sometimes seem to be dragged into the job of coach with my friends. how do i do this, i cant do that, ect.. sure wish i got paid for it. hehe. pizza and beer or sodas well i guess that does count doesn't it. i agree, i sometimes seem to be dragged into the job of coach with my friends. how do i do this, i cant do that, ect.. sure wish i got paid for it. hehe. pizza and beer or sodas well i guess that does count doesn’t it.
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