The Root of Toxicity and Why it's You

It’s always someone else’s fault. It’s never yours and you did everything you possibly could in that horrible game. Truth is, you’re just like the rest of them. Here’s a quick look at why competitive, especially in Overwatch, is toxic.

Your game knowledge doesn’t matter to anyone but yourself

The number one thing to know from all this is every person believes they’re doing what is best. That includes you, the reader.

Overwatch is an insane clash between mechanics (like aim and positioning) versus tactics (understanding counters and ult economy). Even if you know that Junkrat is at a disadvantage against Pharah, the Junkrat is not inclined to listen to you. Why should he? It’s his game and he knows much more about his game play than you do. Arguments ensue in a game designed for players to constantly switch. Despite what you know about the game, no one is inclined to listen because, inherently, every player thinks they know what’s best.

Knowing this, why are you still insistent on getting your teammates to listen to you? Use your game knowledge to counter. You know what’s best for this situation and you taking initiative to do something about it will drastically change your mood and the game. Sacrificing a Lucio for a Soldier: 76 may just work.

Your game knowledge doesn’t matter to anyone else but yourself. Don’t push what you think is the objective truth to someone who thinks, feels, and plays completely different from you. In the span of ~15 minutes, it's extremely difficult to change anyone’s minds. People have been attempting to change minds for years so don’t expect it to happen in an Overwatch game.

Meta

Believing you are the sole correct person is counter intuitive to teamwork, and you have already failed when you came into the game with this mindset.  

Overwatch does not have a meta. The game can suggest what needs to be filled and Youtubers can tell you what to play, but nothing is official. Overwatch is not a game that has a solid and clear meta that everyone can agree on. League of Legends, for example, has a stable meta and the game reinforces the roles. Everyone is on the same page in terms of what position the team needs to take. What they play in that role is up to the player. Overwatch is in a constant debate of what a team looks like. A safe player who believes 2-2-2 meta is the best way to play a map may look like an idiot to someone who believes if everyone played their main they have a higher chance of winning.

Let’s take a look at the beginnings of a game. Your team isn’t entirely random, but what they primarily play is. One game you can have a convenient 2-2-2 meta where everyone plays what they’re best at. Another game you may have 5 other DPS mains and everyone is inexperienced in other roles that may be needed. It’s frustrating because you may be stuck in a role you’re not good at and you underperform. It never feels good to know that you sucked.

So what can you do? Before queuing up for comp, are you prepared? Are you confident in at least 2 other heroes from each role? This doesn’t mean you have to prepare for a 2-2-2 meta, but if you have game knowledge, can you adjust to what is needed to secure the victory? Are you mentally prepared for circumstances out of your control? Almost all of us are not.  Think about who you are as a player in terms of your skill and what you can contribute to the table. Prepare your deck of cards, so to speak.

Entitlement

Toxicity is simply emotions that come to fruition and are expressed in a less eloquently typed “kys.”  

Regardless if you were the peacemaker, the toxic person, or the quiet person, every one of us feel entitled to a win. Deep down, you have convinced yourself that you are above average. You deserve so much more than this team. How can the game keep putting you with such useless people when you have tried your hardest to carry? Why do these people even exist? Everyone else thinks the same way about you too.

You’ve spent many hours and games on Overwatch that you’ve put emotional stakes on the game. There must be something to show for all the hours you put in. You need to see improvement to feel good about yourself. Don’t we all like to see ourselves higher than where we were before? Don’t we all like to tell people how far we’ve climbed and bask in the attention of “dude, how did you do it” and “give me advice, you know something I don’t”?

So, when the team can’t seem to get it together, you lost the bet that you put on yourself. You can’t handle it and you can’t stand the fact it could be you. You’re angry and this team can go to hell. They’re not giving you results you want and you have the audacity to believe you are above anyone and everyone. This is toxic behavior. This is where toxicity comes from. And we are all carriers of it regardless if you’re aware of it or not.

Mind you, there are some games where you’ve performed almost expertly and still lost. It’s healthy to differentiate between a game that you lost due to your performance and impact on your teammates versus an unfortunate circumstance (which happens less likely than you think).

Before queuing up, why do you want to queue up for competitive in the first place? Is it for fun? To climb? Do you want to improve on a hero? Next, understand your goal is different from everyone else’s goal. You may meet someone with the same goal, but you are still inherently different in terms of method, communication, and game play. Are you really ready? Are you disciplined in your emotions enough to put yourself through a maddening 15 minutes? Most importantly, are you kind enough to see through everyone’s toxicity and you’re ready to forgive and compromise? Are you actually ready to participate in teamwork? All of us aren’t ready to give up the image of ourselves that is entitled to a win.

Stop going into games expecting a win, and start going into games expecting to work hard for the win. Stop going into games thinking the only way to have fun is to win. Winning is not the sole objective. If you’re having a hard time accepting or understanding the concept of having fun while losing, then you might consider re-thinking your outlook because that is a grim window you’re looking through, my friend.

Why muting and reporting is a bandaid solution

Mute and report all you want, but you’re still part of the toxic community.

In response to the above section, if you have not yet cleared your mentality and emotions then muting and reporting is your go to. Ideally, muting and report spells you’ll never see this person again. This person will be punished and you were right. The community will be cleared of everyone who is not like-minded as you. And that is toxic behavior.

Sure, if they’re being a blatant racist, sexist, and just screaming in the mic spewing more toxicity than Chernobyl, then by all means let Blizzard know this person is harming others. That’s when you need to mute and report someone is if they are harming you or someone else. Again, this requires awareness that you know when you’re reporting or muting someone out of spite versus when someone is actually being harmful.

Mute and report in moderation. Really see and understand why you want to report someone versus when you need to report someone. Here are a few examples.

WANT: *a person leaves the game*
You: report pls
*person comes back*
A: Sorry guys, my internet went out
You: idc, report

NEED: *you died with grav as Zarya*
B: piece of **** ******. ****ing kill yourself YOU ABSOLUTE GARBAGE.

WANT: *person playing a hero you disagree with and didn’t perform to your standards* (See Entitlement section)

NEED: *person refuses to switch out of x hero*
You: pls switch
C: no **** u im throwing.

If you need more clarification as to what needs to be reported, read up on Blizzard’s forums. Blizzard is not your mom or dad so don’t expect them to come running to your aid whenever you get hurt.

We’re not good communicators

This comes down to everyone's personal character. If there was ever an accurate stereotype of gamers, it’s we’re not good communicators. This comes down to your own ability to identify when someone is criticizing or insulting, how you take critique in a way that benefits you, how you process information in quick succession, and finally transferring that information into action.  Everyone is different so there’s no black and white to this.

In addition, we may convey criticism in a way that seems insulting or toxic. You may actually scream it, type it out aggressively, or nag, but these are also characteristic flaws that each person can work on.

When asking someone to perform in a different role, you have to convince them it’s worth their time. No sane gamer is going to obey your command at the whip. Use this guideline to effectively get your critique across and not insult the person:

[Postive affirmation], but [what you think is the problem]. Can you [present your solution]? [Provide compromise and show you are willing.]

Example: [Your Junk is good, it’s killing the Mercy], but [the team can’t kill the Pharah and we don’t have a hitscan]. Can you [switch to Soldier]? [I can Zenyatta and help/heal you if you want.]

Always be prepared for a no. If they say no, you can’t blame the loss on them. If you can’t get anyone else to help you, you have to take matters into your own hands like the first tip of this article.

If someone is asking you to switch in a way that seems insulting, get more information. Ask them why they want you to switch and if you deem the issue is grave enough, you can decide for yourself. What you want is a discussion and not a fight.

Recap
Everyone is so emotionally invested in Overwatch that we have completely disregarded anyone else who is not like-minded. As if we’re masters and objectively better, we expect strangers to obey our every command and cause an even bigger rift between the community each time we do it. We have an immense sense of entitlement that hosts a breeding ground for toxicity. To change the community, we must begin with ourselves and open discussion with those who are willing to listen. We should stop weighing our worth and our ego to what our SR is, but focus on what meaningful growth really is. Don’t let your own emotions and rage play you. Even if a small percentage of the community were willing to try, that small pocket can make your mood, experience, and games worthwhile.

Like our content? Support us by getting our merchandise in our shop