Puberty Blues

I believe Sutton-Smith forgot a primary social role that is present in almost all multiplayer games that I can think of.

• Role: To whinge, bitch, gripe, moan, complain and generally annoy
  
• Motive of Play: Puberty, or lack of skill
  
• Role of Counteractor: To make fun of, insult, patronise and generally abuse

I believe that this role is present in any form of social play, whether video-game, board game, sport or other outdoor activity. Although this role is not always present at the commencement of play, or throughout early stages, it is almost guaranteed to be adopted at some stage if play is able to continue long enough.

Early schoolyard games such as tiggy (tag) or Piggy in the Middle are classic examples: there’s always one kid that raises all hell when it’s his/her turn to be ‘it’, or in the middle. So maybe puberty can’t be blamed here (although lack of skill often can be), but puberty comes into it’s own as we move through school years.

The best example I can think of is handball. At least at my school, handball was (and I believe still is) the lifeblood of year 8. There are the kids who play every morning tea and lunch time, the ones that run out of class to get the courts first and then only allow their top 6 ranked friends to play with them (these rankings change daily). Whilst winning, all is fine but the moment you get them out and try to get them to move, they’ll behave as if you tried to steal their first-born. Indeed, I believe the majority of fights in high school could be avoided by installing slow-motion replay cameras (such as they have at the tennis) for all handball courts.

This same trend can be seen in so many online video games, and generally follows someone getting a headshot on pubescent little Billy (CounterStrike anyone?). Other games don’t even require a certain event to trigger this role. Take for example either the Trade channel or Barrens chat in World of Warcraft. If you don’t know what I’m talking about, I truly envy you.