Does SIM = SNOB? - Logic Doctor's Blog

Logic Doctor's Blog

Does SIM = SNOB?

Posted on February 22, 2010 at 11:00 AM.

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DOES SIM = SNOB?

The word “Sim” gets tossed around the sports gaming community as if it were Lindsay Lohan at a lesbian DJ convention, but what does the word “Sim” really mean? What is it supposed to imply? Why do so many people in the sports gaming community use the term to describe themselves?

All of these questions constantly arise for me while I commission Active Logic Season 2, my NBA 2k10 league. As any of you who have ever run a league know, running a league involves replacing quitters/glitchers and all kinds of virtual scum on a pretty regular basis. It kind of comes with the territory of being a league commissioner so it’s no biggie, but it allows me to see and play against a lot of different gamers and play styles.

Now for clarification, the league I run is NOT a “Sim” league. I think it’s kind of ridiculous to force people to PLAY A VIDEOGAME (or even the sport of basketball for that matter) a certain way. We have 2 major guidelines, don’t quit under any circumstance and save the cheese and 59 point beat downs (of someone whom you’re clearly better than) for ranked matches (you can find our entire guidelines in the “Quitters Lose and Losers Quit” article http://www.operationsports.com/Logic...d-losers-quit/)

WHATS THE POINT OF ONLINE LEAGUE GAMING?

If I’m not mistaken, the whole point of participating in an online league is to experience playing a real season where you can control your team via trades/draft and have the opportunity to improve both your teams ratings and your own skill level. I don’t know about you, but I find it fun and challenging to play someone multiple times throughout a season (and possibly in a playoff series), trying different defenses to stop them or watching them try to stop me, or going out and trading for players who I know can match up better against a rival (and my record is 16-11 so I’m far from undefeated or unbeatable.)

Now, does everyone play the game the way I play, or the way I want (or would like) them to play?

No.

Are there times when I’m getting my A** handed to me in a semi-cheesy way (Lots of points in the paint /unnecessary steal attempts/baseline drives every time down the court)?

Yes.

What do I do when that happens?

Well, I for sure don’t cry bloody SIM murder like so many sore losers do in today’s online league gaming community. If I feel the cheesing was egregious and could put the entire league’s completion in jeopardy, I warn the league member of his behavior and let him know the possible consequences for jeopardizing the league's completion. The member can curb the behavior or let it be the reason for his replacement. The choice is always theirs, but the one thing I don’t do is take my losing as an insult to the “Sim” nation or grounds for that league member’s crucifixion.

Now, all of this is said to simply lead us back into the initial point of the article, which is to state that many of the so called “Sim” gamers out there in league gaming land are not in fact what they say they are. In truth, they are actually snobby sports gamers who want to dictate how they are allowed to lose games.

Last time I checked, “Sim” was short for simulation, and in this case it’s in reference to the NBA (via NBA 2K10.) So let me ask you this……When was the last time you saw an opponent of the Cavs come up to LeBron before a game and tell him he was only allowed to score less than 75% of his points in the paint or he was a cheeser and they would quit? I could be wrong but I don’t remember Kobe telling Paul Pierce in the 08’ finals that he was only allowed to play on ball defense so Kobe could get to the rack more easily. There is, IN FACT, something called team defense.

BOTTOM LINE

My point, if you haven’t already guessed it, is that calling yourself “Sim” based on the fact that you don’t like losing a certain way is killing the credibility of the word “Sim” along with the actual “Sim” community. In fact, your petty rules and regulations for losing actually create the opposite of an NBA simulation. Any real fan of the NBA knows that shady s*** happens all the time in the REAL NBA. From the whole “hack a shack” fiasco to Kobe dropping 81 on the Raptors. That’s competition, thats how it works, when it gets down to the nitty gritty competitors are going to do whatever it takes to win and if you’ve ever competed in anything in life you should already know this.

So don’t hate the opponent OR THE STYLE THEY CHOOSE TO PLAY, hate your lack of skill and work to improve it. If you were really as “Sim” as you would have the world believe, you would surely appreciate simulating Phil Jackson, Gregg Popovich and Doc Rivers roles by coming up with a better gameplan.

If you lose a game because you allowed your opponent to completely dominate the paint then you deserved to lose. If you lose a game because you could not beat the CPU AI off the dribble then you deserved to lose. If you lose a game because you couldn’t beat a full court press then you deserved to lose. It’s time for whinny, snobby, so called simulation gamers to stop pointing to their “Sim” top hat every time they lose a game or quit a league. You are not “Sim,” you’re a sports video game snob.

Comments

# 1 seriousluboy83 @ Feb 22

SIM=SNOB 100%... In truth, they are actually snobby sports gamers who want to dictate how they are allowed to lose games...100% truth...Preach my brotha

# 2 AUChase89 @ Feb 22

Simulation isn't a very confusing word. I don't think there's anything wrong with people wanting to play a game that resembles what they see when they watch their favorite sport(s) on television or in person.

I don't cry when I play someone who is complete cheese online. When you play online, you reserve the right to play the game however you choose.

If I want a sim game, I'll play my buddys or someone I know from past experiences in various league. If I want to roll the dice, I'll go press play now in the online menu.

I don't think I qualify as a snob.

# 3 nolan273 @ Feb 22

Good write up. It does seem like a lot of the time, SIM does equate to SNOB. Don't get me wrong, I don't want to be cheesed to death when I play, but I understand that people play to win and whatever gets them a victory is fair game.

I also realize that some 'SIM' ballers would consider me a cheeser. I mean, the purpose of BBall is to get the highest percentage shot possible so I'm always trying to get to the basket. And in football, you're supposed to be moving the ball constantly, so if you can't cover the flats, that's where I'm going. Some folks would get pissed about that.

What it basically comes down to, in my opinion is snobbery. Not all sim gamers are snobs, but a lot have an elitist attitude that makes it almost as frustrating to play them as it is to play a bona fide cheeser.

# 4 Logic Doctor @ Feb 22

@AUChase89 I agree with you 100%. Simulation is definitely not a confusing word.

And there certainly isn't anything wrong "with people wanting to play a game that resembles what they see when they watch their favorite sport(s) on television or in person."

But lets be real too, it's that kind of thinking that sets you up to be the "Victim" when someone digresses from YOUR perception of the way something is supposed to be played.

# 5 Logic Doctor @ Feb 22

@seriousluboy83 Preach on I will......thanks for the comment.

# 6 Logic Doctor @ Feb 22

Quote:


	Not all sim gamers are snobs, but a lot have an elitist attitude that makes it almost as frustrating to play them as it is to play a bona fide cheeser.

So much truth in such an ironic statement. Bravo nolan273

# 7 sportyguyfl31 @ Feb 22

In a way, yes.

I know Ive caught myself in that mindset from time to time.

When I beat someone in NBA 2k or NBA live playing straight onball, running sets and shooting mid range shots, vs someone who either shoots in the paint or 3 pointers, and reaches all over the place on D..yes I do take a satisifaction in that.

Same with football. I'll take satisfaction not having to resort to gimmicks and still being able to win.

# 8 osubucksfan47 @ Feb 22

Couldn't agree more, I hate when someone tries to force me to play a certain way.

# 9 jWILL10 @ Feb 22

I've been asking the exact same question since I first signed on to OS in 2008. Claiming youself as "sim" is like claiming a gang around here...

# 10 bigsmallwood @ Feb 22

Keep Speaking the truth!!!! I agree! I'm am tired of the "sim" excuses....what happens in the real NBA when Mike Jordan/Kobe/Lebron score 24 of their teams last 30points .....does David Stern call it cheese and say they are not playing "sim" basketball? No! You have to learn how to stop it! Great Post!

# 11 stlstudios189 @ Feb 22

Sim is an over used word in gamers vocabulary. I don't play online much but, I think it has become an excuse whenever somebody loses they call everything cheese.

# 12 SA1NT401 @ Feb 23

If your EXPLOITING holes in a game or within the games overall design.....Your not sim. Thats my rule. If you CHEEZE nearly every DOWN, Play series whatever....Your a cheezer/exploiter. I dont find it fun to play (and i dont care if i lose) to play a cheezer/exploiter as they are NOT playing the SPORT the game emulates (which is part of the enjoyment) but are playing to the weakness' in the games design.

"SIM" does not mean "How i want to lose...' It means playing the game as the SPORT it resembles is actually played.

I actually agree with your points mainly because your talking about NBA 2K10...But your points (all of them) are 100% wrong when it comes to other sports games....Madden is a HEAD to HEAD glitch/cheeze-fest.....And the word "SIM' was born from that title and mainly applies to THAT titles.

Most of the crap can be delt with in other games and the experience suffers, but not nearly as BAD as in Madden.....Cheeze etc literally makes that game a CHORE and is a slap in the face to the actual sport.

# 13 AUChase89 @ Feb 23

"forcing you to play a certain way" ?

The only place where I could even see that happening is in an organized league, which you have the choice to not even join.

I don't think you can

# 14 AUChase89 @ Feb 23

Sorry about the "I don't think you can" bit.. accidently hit submit and it won't let me retract it..

# 15 CreatineKasey @ Feb 24

I totally agree with this. In fact, I've said that bolded phrase repeatedly in the past about sim-heads just trying to dictate how their opponent plays into a comfort zone. A lot of things that are seen as un-sim actually are far from it. People have to look at games from the perspective of balance. If someone keeps blitzing, I'm going to keep countering it in the best way I can find. On the other hand, if someone keeps getting confused by cover 3 defense, you better bet your butt I'm throwing cover 3 variants at him more often than not.

People look to the game mechanics too much for excuses as to why they lost. "The CPU gave him a warp INT" "He abused the flats". Whatever. Good players look to themselves for blame and for answers.

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