"Oh, so you play the game too, huh? Cool."

"Yeah, you know, I'm pretty much a pro at it. Seriously, the last guy I played was such a newb."

"That so?"

"Yeah, he just sucked and couldn't compete with me at the pro level."

I thought I'd ask if there are others out there in the community, or if it is only just me, that bristles a little when you see or hear gamers toss out the term 'pro' when they describe themselves.

Am I the only one who hears it and I thinks, "Really? Are you really a professional gamer? Because despite what your ego says, I am willing to bet that nobody is paying you to play this game."

Maybe once someone gets sponsored, but yeah people do misuse that term... as well as "newb".

I would sometimes say that I was similar to a "pro" level when I played Everquest 2. I was able to sell platinum in game for cash, and Sony had invited me to become an "Influencer" for the game, and that included them flying me out to Las Vegas and paying for meals, drinks, hotel, airfare, and all sorts of extras. So while I never actually got given direct cash, I was certainly monetarily motivated to play.

Get on my level.

I've never played someone who called themselves a "pro". But I have played with people who come off as a "know it all" or are just condescending. Those people aren't enjoyable to play against, even if I win against them.

I've never played someone who called themselves a "pro". But I have played with people who come off as a "know it all" or are just condescending. Those people aren't enjoyable to play against, even if I win against them.

That's what bothers me when I hear people use it. It is used not to say that 'I am elite player' but is most often used to say, 'I am better than you.'

I hear it used most when it comes to video games for sure. Crabbok is one of the lucky few who do/have actually recieved some gain from their hobby, but most of us will never be so lucky. I think the best way to be an 'Influencer' for gaming is to make sure the experience of playing is a fun, welcoming, and rewarding environment, and not a place to prove how much better you are than everyone else.

Do you even Wing, bro?

I've never played someone who called themselves a "pro". But I have played with people who come off as a "know it all" or are just condescending. Those people aren't enjoyable to play against, even if I win against them.

Unless they have a reaction from me beating them that I find particularly satisfying to elicit out of them being ground into the space dust of their fleet, I have to agree with you fully on that one. And I'll say that I used to be that guy, and nobody wants your company when you're that guy. I'm much more amiable and actually try to actively encourage new players in the area since we're such a small group still, and it's simply a matter of you attract more people with honey than with vinegar.

Like the guy I saw at one of the local stores being a ****** bag playing new players using a 3 firespray list.

What a total NOB!

I've never played someone who called themselves a "pro". But I have played with people who come off as a "know it all" or are just condescending. Those people aren't enjoyable to play against, even if I win against them.

so true

"Pro" to me is simply a devotion of time. Traveling to regionals a state or more away I would qualify as pro. It's more of a "try hard" mentality, akin to rules lawyer-ing, and quite the opposite of "fly casual" in that you only run winning lists (that you may or may not have created).

Professional. 3rd Noun based definition on a google search. "a person competent or skilled in a particular activity" We can be pros. It means exactly what they think it means, just doesn't always mean they comport themselves with professionalism.

You can be a pro without being sportsmanlike, and vice versa.

I find most 'pros' who openly call themselves a pro generally lack sportsmanship, but that might just be the gaming community in the local area.

If you want to know my ability meet me at the gaming tables, for actions speak louder than words.

I've never played someone who called themselves a "pro". But I have played with people who come off as a "know it all" or are just condescending. Those people aren't enjoyable to play against, even if I win against them.

That's what bothers me when I hear people use it. It is used not to say that 'I am elite player' but is most often used to say, 'I am better than you.'

'Any man who must say, "I am the king" is no true king'. ... Tywin Lannister

You can be a pro without being sportsmanlike, and vice versa.

I find most 'pros' who openly call themselves a pro generally lack sportsmanship, but that might just be the gaming community in the local area.

I've never played someone who called themselves a "pro". But I have played with people who come off as a "know it all" or are just condescending. Those people aren't enjoyable to play against, even if I win against them.

That's what bothers me when I hear people use it. It is used not to say that 'I am elite player' but is most often used to say, 'I am better than you.'

'You're not a king if you have to tell people you're the king'.

Hail to the king, baby.

a Pro can still be taken down by a Newb, happened to Vader, can happen to anyone.

a Pro can still be taken down by a Newb, happened to Vader, can happen to anyone.

Han Solo was a newb?

I haven't been specifically paid to play Xwing, however I have been paid while playing Xwing, etc... Close enough for me! LOL

I haven't been specifically paid to play Xwing, however I have been paid while playing Xwing, etc... Close enough for me! LOL

Same here. I've been paid for well over half the tournaments I've ever gone too. They are shockingly good at being on my "On Call" weekends.

In the world I live and work in, being a Professional is about your attitude and aptitude

You can have lots of Aptitude, but without the proper attitude, you are just a professional a**hole.

I can do one better than pro. A guy told me that was an "X-wing jock".

I can do one better than pro. A guy told me that was an "X-wing jock".

Was he on a horse?

I can do one better than pro. A guy told me that was an "X-wing jock".

Was he on a horse?

Good one, but the term "fighter jock" is a real one.

My dad, a preacher, has a phrase: "Show me that you love me, and you can do anything you want to to me."

I think showing respect and kindness to fellow players is important, because it will allow you to help them become better players. In fact, this is the main motivation I think for people being d-bags in game stores: they don't want serious competition because this is the only thing they're really good at, so they try to make other players feel inferior to them in the hopes that they give up on trying to become good.

At least, this is my theory. And I think it's a good one.

I can do one better than pro. A guy told me that was an "X-wing jock".

Was he on a horse?

Good one, but the term "fighter jock" is a real one.

My dad, a preacher, has a phrase: "Show me that you love me, and you can do anything you want to to me."

I think showing respect and kindness to fellow players is important, because it will allow you to help them become better players. In fact, this is the main motivation I think for people being d-bags in game stores: they don't want serious competition because this is the only thing they're really good at, so they try to make other players feel inferior to them in the hopes that they give up on trying to become good.

At least, this is my theory. And I think it's a good one.

The theory is strong with you. I feel I need another "doh! oops" moment here as I didn't connect "X-Wing Jock" with "Fighter Jock" and went straight to a little guy in a brightly coloured top riding a horse. Oops!

Back to your theory, people do tend to put others down to make themselves feel superior. Such people tend to be insecure and in need of being, at least in their eyes, better than others. Little realizing that winning at X-Wing doesn't make up for other failures, whether real or imagined.

You'll appreciate this:

"If I conquered the world, but did not have love, I am nothing"

The ability to win at games is insignificant compared to the sheer joy that can be had from making another person smile, and/or laugh. Making someone feel better about themselves is worth more than having others make you feel good about yourself. Or to put it another way "there's more happiness in giving than receiving"