I used to have a buddy I gamed with a lot. We'd online co-op every decent Xbox 360 or PS3 game that had it because it was nice to just kick back and game with someone you actually knew in the real world and you didn't have to worry about any sort of trolling. Our co-op gaming slowly trickled away almost entirely, as he all of a sudden "only liked to play against real people." This blew me away because it essentially disregarded all the work those developers did in putting together an integrated co-op experience and it gave me a little more insight into the mind of a competitive gamer. My friend isn't rabidly competitive per se, but it seemed to demonstrate what may be a common thread in competitive gamers.

For me, gaming is a more holistic experience. I enjoy the story, the graphics, and all the simply cool stuff you can do in the game. I appreciate it all, but then again I've had a hand in developing tabletop games in the past so I understand the creative process. I call myself a gamer that just likes to have fun, though I do understand that competition is fun to competitive people. I'll jump online for some team deathmatch or whatever if I like the game enough or whatnot, but I'm not a "try-hard," as the kids say these days. To me, online competition offers a little more dynamic experience in some ways, but ultimately it can be hollow if that's all there is.

But then again, I was the kid that would rather be home playing with my Transformers or G.I. Joes or watching cartoons rather than playing baseball or soccer on Saturday mornings. I did the sports thing, but I couldn't wait to get home and out of the itchy polyester uniform so I could play in the world of my imagination. Now video games have evolved to the point where it's almost like the same thing.

Do you consider yourself competitive when it comes to gaming or are you in it just to have fun?

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