User talk:MaskedMarth

Talking is fun.

Mindgaming

I don't see how you can say someone is using the term 'mind-game' out of context. Could you show me one example where it is? Mind-gaming is a technique that is more or less important, but it's a technique nonetheless. You can't just remove it because it's less useful then people claim it to be. If people think mind-gaming is essential in their strategy, so be it. Wiki sites are for information, not oppinion.

A Mewtwo con: "Requires a lot of mindgames in order to effectively play Mewtwo and a deep understanding in the opponent's character and Mewtwo's moveset." What does this say? That Mewtwo has to outguess his opponent to win? Duh, that's what you have to do with every character! A Fox that is always outguessed by his opponent loses just as much as a Mewtwo. In that case, I removed the point because it uses mindgames as an excuse - Mewtwo just sucks, is all, mindgames or none.

Wavedash#Mind_games. While Tobias' example of mindgames is correct, the thrust of his paragraph is that mindgames are a totally abstract thing that cannot be taught. No they aren't, and if we continue to treat them as such we will never learn. I prefer to use the term "guessing game" which carries the same solid meaning as mindgames without the added element of mystery. Therein lies another problem in the term mindgames.

There is no doubt that "mindgaming" (it's a verb now!?) is an essential aspect of players' repertoires, but we also have an obligation to use language that isn't confusing or loaded with other meanings. Mindgames, as they should be defined (unless you're one of a smallish group of people that uses mindgames to mean the psychological aspect of Smash; these multiple definitions provide another problem to the term), mean a very specific thing - the guessing games in which one player's options are influenced by the potential costs and benefits of another player's options. Sirlin explains this concept better than I do in his articles about Yomi layers. When this clear idea becomes murky, then we need to recycle the dirty term and start with one that is fresh and clear.

"Guessing games" is my suggestion, and I think that by its very name it is a more useful term than mindgames. "Mindgames" contains the word "mind," which carries connotations of mystery and magic, whereas it is clear what "guessing" means - it's a down-to-earth concept that can be discussed frankly. You say that the wiki sites are for information, and I agree. And I also think the best way to disseminate information is by explaining it in exact terminology. That is precisely why I have, here and elsewhere, constantly undermined the use of such terms as "priority" and "mindgames" that have become useless through misuse. --MaskedMarth 01:01, September 14, 2006 (GMT)