Competitive gaming, similarly to many other intensive hobbies, holds potential to attract people who might otherwise be considered as “others”; individuals who may not have achieved traditional success in a way that society has deemed socially valuable.

The result of this othering is often a diminished sense of self, often perpetuated through environmental and relational woes.

In many such instances, gaming serves as a controlled environment where success and measurable gains are tangible. The vast majority of the time, this establishes an assistive outlet for coping.

For others, it leads to addiction, and for a portion who find they have above average to exceptional ability (and importantly not all skilled players), winning and conquering, exerting felt power over others, facilitates a dopaminergic response that is rarely felt for the individual outside of the gaming environment.

Remember, some of these people are suffering in their daily lives. It’s probably not personal, and though it can be irritating, the most effective response is ignoring the behavior and modeling better sportsmanship where you can.