Mirror matchups and perceived Rivalries (PVP Game Insight)

Many players seem to have a 'rivalry' stance when it comes to mirror matches or even similar names. I pick a character I want to play and on the other team is the same character played by another player. Of course that must make us 'arch-enemies' for the duration of the game... right?

I don't think so. I have no interest in comparing skill level because I am playing to win and me focusing that other player, who is just one member of a whole team, is a waste of my time.

While those 'rival' players will go out of their way to get the last hit on me, I move past them and focus on their team or whatever the selected characters strength is in the team matchup.

I win, or rather my team and I win, most of these 'mirror' matches more often than not because of my lack of interest in the 'fixation' of proving I am a better character player than them. It's just a measuring contest that has no validity beyond the players ego. Plus, their focus on the mirror match dwindles the overall strength of the enemy team because the 'rival' is not playing to win the game but to prove to somebody that they are a 'better' character than me.

Sometimes they try to message me afterwards but all I type is 'GG' at the end of the match and that's it.

Is it a unsatisfying response? Probably. Does it indicate an end of the 'rivalry'? Yes. And that's it.

I don't think about it in the match and move on.

What's the flipside to engaging with this rivalry? The chatbar gets overloaded with responses, the team suffers a player who isn't playing to win but playing to one-up some random player win or lose, and generally just an annoyance and waste of everybodies time.

Like as if I want the other players on my team to sit through a game that we could've easily won if I hadn't decided to participate on a meaningless skirmish with a random player who decided to have beef with me, my chosen character, and/or my username similarity.

I've seen when players decide to engage in the 'rivalry' and it isn't pretty. I get downright frustrated because instead of playing the match and getting picks or making progress on the objective, they are standing in the corner typing nonstop before going to the same location their 'rival' is in and promptly dying because either the enemy team is taking advantage of an easy pick or their emotions are getting in the way of their skill.

I wrote this post because recently I've been running into these 'rivalries' in my games and just wanted to get my thoughts down on the subject. Is it crucial? No. Is it important to understand? Probably.

Consider this post my PSA on player Rivalries. Being aware of what the enemy player wants from this perceived rivalry and instead choosing to focus on what the team needs in order to win could save your game and potentially keep a solid emotional state.

Hell, you might even get the other player upset and throw a tantrum that you didn't lower yourself to their game. I get those often too.

Be aware! Stay focused.

Happy Gaming!