Is there even the slightest chance that this is a world-class troll? Poe’s Law in fullest effect? Sadly, I suspect this is for real:

Prof blasts ‘toxic meritocracy’ of ‘competitive’ video games

“Games are based on leveling up and getting stronger. We expect the most skilled, hardest working player to win. The typical narrative in a game is a rags to riches story where the player propels the character into a key role and perhaps even attains god-like status,” he said.

“All those things shape our expectations and focus players on individuals, rather than the collective,” he added. “As actualized meritocracies, video games quickly become really toxic spaces where players are focused on individual glory, rather than creating positive spaces for interaction.”

“Moving away from merit allows communities to be developed on different terms, giving an opportunity to build something else, something new, something that has features other than the endemic toxicity that comes with meritocratic systems,” Paul contends.

Oh FFS.

I’ve mentioned before that I’m not much of a video gamer. What few games I did actually like playing I had to stop playing because FRIGGEN WINDOWS 7 would not run them anymore, but the games I played allowed the player to advance and get better & more powerful as they reached goals and *won* stuff. The idea of games based on pure luck or randomness? I’ve never seen them as being all that much fun. Put your coin in the slot, pull the lever… wheeeeee. Collect your “participant” trophy.