With the rise of online gaming becoming the new standard, every game has its leaderboards to see the age old question: who is the best? I, unfortunately, have never been on a leaderboard in my life, and during games I often come last on the team. So, fittingly, I will be discussing all of the problems associated with leaderboards.

Well, the first problem is obvious: when you’re at the top you’re at the top. This is bad because when you are at the top, people expect you to play like a top player and when you mess up, there are a lot more consequences. Many people who are at the top of a certain leaderboard are endorsed by e-sports or even just the game itself to play at a skilled level and be a shining example of what it is like to be the best at this game, but if you play one game at a less than perfect level, the impact of that game affects your overall stats and makes the companies that endorse you skeptical. The problem is the only place to go from the top is down. 

If you’re at the level where you’re getting endorsements, you are also expected to play within the community in a non-toxic way. In recent times, gamer Ninja, who is the number one fortnite player, has gotten in trouble for saying some truly awful things on a hot mic. I think it’s good that the role models for gamers and kids should not say toxic or disparaging things that may influence others to become trolls or be racist or sexist, but I could see that someone may not want to have to take on a different personality just because they are good at video games.  On the other hand, all sports personalities are also expected to behave well because that is part of what endorsements are for and they do not want to alienate any fans (or parents of fans).  And i guess he is getting plenty of money, so perhaps it is not so bad to be the best version of yourself and get rich too with your gaming talent. 

The second reason being the top of a leader board is bad is because, well, where’s the challenge after that? Imagine playing your favorite game, moving up the ranks, and then being the best? Part of the reason that games are fun is because there is a challenge, but watching e-sports players play video games is like watching a hot knife go through butter, you know it’s gonna perform.

But I guess what is always hard for someone like me is that I will never be at the top of a leaderboard. And so many others will always be at the bottom. Gaming is one of the most inclusive sports–anyone can play. And any time that they make it more exclusive I think it takes away from one of the best qualities of the game.