Wow, way too much computer gaming lately.
Lan party after lan party after lan party... and all that leading up to the huge disappointment that was the PCK party where we lost consecutively to the teams that ultimately took first and second. By 3AM, I felt like I had run out of games to play - and so did the rest of our group. So the next three hours were spent in a half-asleep limbo playing Stepmania.
Needless to say, it's time for a break from computer gaming and a return to the basics. Max agreed with my complaint that we haven't played enough SSB lately. On top of that, I got a surprise call from Thomas basically saying the same thing. Personally, I think there hasn't been enough Mario Party, either.
That's the thing with hardcore gaming - the good players play the game because it's what they enjoy; it's what triggers the endorphines and adrenaline in their brains and that's how players get the pleasure of being 'in the zone.' I've only once been in the zone playing a computer game - and it turned out to be a game nobody played at all. On consoles, though, I get it all the time - that's how we all managed to spend so much time playing Goldeneye back in the day. SSB comes pretty close to being the same thing, but more importantly, when we all play SSB it's a good time. Zero frustration, very close matches, and we all happen to be extremely good at what we do (hence our owning up on everyone else at Gus's party). Being a good hardcore player isn't about the frustration of constant loss or fighting to develop strategy and skill. It's about just playing, playing, playing. And if you can enjoy that, you've got a good chance at becoming a great player.