BGG Losers

BoardGameGeek is a wonderful place for discussion and information exchange. It's great to see all the different opinions and perspectives on games and other gaming-related topics. However, there are several different gamer types who seem incapable, unwilling, or uninterested in actually participating. They prefer, instead, to engage in various kinds of disruptive behavior or to show a complete lack of any kind of critical thinking.

Win at All Costs Loser

A conversation is not something to participate in; it's something that must be won. If the enemy starts to win, change the topic so you can claim victory. If the tide goes against you too heavily, simply stop posting in the thread.

I Was Just Kidding Loser

Argue until you know you cannot win, then insert a joke to deflect your shame. Pretend your entire argument was sarcasm.

Dictionary Loser

Always take every word said literally. Post definitions of words used by your enemy in order to show that he is wrong.

Out of Context Loser

Quote things said completely out of context, or clearly not in the way they were intended. Leave off critical information from the quote like a smiley indicating a joke or sarcasm. Quote something from the same poster from a different thread 3 years ago to make your point.

Stating the Obvious Loser

Inform everyone that the poster is merely stating his opinion. Tell them it's just a game.

Misleading Loser

Write reviews for games you haven't played. Discuss a game in depth that you know nothing about.

Philosophy Loser

Take all conversations outside the realm of gaming. Ponder the nature of reality and perception so you can muddy the waters and make everyone else concede your point.

Not Getting the Point Loser

Argue something that is not even being discussed in the thread. Derail the discussion. Make it seem like others are off point.

Stalker Loser

Follow others around the threads who have tested themselves against you before. Start useless fights with them again. De-value all their opinions. Bring to war to your enemy.

Flowers and Butterflies Loser

If someone can't speak lavish praise, shame them into leaving the thread and deleting their posts. No one cares about negative opinions. The idea is to make everyone think every game is perfect to fool them into buying them all. It's ok to say positive things about game with virtually no information, but it is not ok to say negative things. BGG is a place to hug and pat each other on the back, not a place for real information.

My Point

Lively discussion is wonderful. One of my favorite kinds is the Straw Man type. For example, "This game would be better with no auction." This is the kind of statement that prompts fantastic discussion. When you see something like this, do not make it your life's goal to prove the poster wrong. Discuss the point on both sides. It will make your understanding of the game in question all the more rich, and it will inform many people who do not know the game.

We probably all fall into these categories to some small degree at various points. Let's just not make it our goal to do so. Did I miss any?