Ever had someone tell you that you were playing a game wrong? Occasionally we are playing a game wrong, and need assistance (God bless the internet) to progress. A peer may have told you to use a different weapon for a particular enemy, that the character you selected is weak in certain situations, or that you should probably not be visiting a dangerous zone at such a low level. Many gamers, it seems, feel a deep, urgent need to critique the play style or choices of their peers, even when their odd play style is intentional. But, sometimes, we are doing these things intentionally, and in these cases the gamer is not wrong, they are challenging themselves. With intense competition and a focus on completing certain in-game tasks, we often forget that games are supposed to be fun, and are to be enjoyed in a variety of ways.

Infantry Rush = Foolish Fun -Red Alert 2

When opposing goals collide
When one player decides to actively pursue a truly unique manner of play, it may - and usually will - elicit taunts and jeers from their peers. Of course, this should be expected by the player making the conscious decision to use nothing but pistols in a deathmatch. Taunting is one thing, but being told that he or she is playing wrong is another.

There is not a gamer alive that has not experimented with some bizarre, self-imposed gaming challenge. Maybe you completed Doom using only the chainsaw (the Cyberdemon at the end of Episode 2 is quite impossible without cheating using only the chainsaw), refused to let any of your yellow Pikmin die because, well, they just are so darn cute, or played through a round of Super Mario Brothers 2 using only Toad (done it, not easy). Everyone likes to try something wacky to spice up a staid title once in awhile (readers are encouraged to offer their own tales in the comments section).

Completing Doom with only the chainsaw -Doom

Some gamers go so far as to dedicate themselves to playing a title in a manner contrary to the intention of the designer. The World of Warcraft Pacifist comes to mind, a pacifist gamer doing his best to level-up in a role-playing world that rewards its players primarily for acts of violence. Then there are players that refuse to play anyone but their favorite character, use their favorite weapon, or some other self-imposed restriction.

Just because one player chooses to play in a manner contrary to your own or even in a manner that may make it more difficult for you to achieve your own goals does not make the player wrong: they are playing the game and enjoying it in their own way. Like anything in life, some people need to make their own mistakes to learn from them, and everyone is allowed to have fun in the manner of their choosing.

Online Play
The entire argument of leaving the odd gamer alone reverses, however, when brought into a group dynamic. Refusing to use any weapon other than pistols in a team match of Unreal Tournament may not be wrong per se, but the unwillingness of a player to work with others and respect their peers may ruin the online experience. In a team-based MMORPG (massively multiplayer online role-playing game), one inexperienced or poor player can bring down large groups of players that had committed an entire evening to a gaming event or achievement, potentially wasting days of game time, cumulatively.

When playing online it is important to take into consideration the goals of your opponents and comrades. Every title has its own culture. Going AFK (away from keyboard) in a game like World of Warcraft is expected from time to time, and generally has little impact on the play experience, but doing so in an FPS (first-person shooter) hampers the team dramatically in a fast-paced atmosphere.

Hey Boz, put away that Impact Hammer and try pulling your weight! -UT3

If you want to play in an odd or unique way, but it involves or affects other players, let them know what you are doing and why ahead of time. Respect; it can be tough to find online, and if you are going to do something bizarre, you will generally get more leeway for having shown that respect up front. Remember that same respect offline, as well. Friends and family know how to ask for advice; let them ask and you may find your peers more appreciative.