Some may
feel Fair Play and the MWS is an oxymoron but I'd like to address some
very compelling reasions how fair play can improve the MWS as a whole
and the perception of the MWS baller. Therefore, Its not Why Fair
Play?...Its why NOT fair play???...
In a MWS
community that is haunted by ballers who play for money, fame and notoriety
Fair Play may just be a small remedy to dealing with situations that
have haunted many an online disagreement or argument on exactly what is
Fair play...We need look no further than our very own 2005 PFL Online....Lets
all flashback to the Jay Kearney v Rico PFL Championship contest which
saw a bitter disagreement based on what was a clear violation of PFL/MWS
rules only some chose to interpret the violation in a curious manner that
essentially split the community and tainted what was otherwise another
excellent PFL online season.
If you don't recall the matter it involved Rico going for it on 4th
down when he was clearly required to punt pursuant to MWS Rules but when
not caught by his opponent the ole "If you didn't catch me exactly
when I cheated" clause was instituted and accepted by some of the
MWS most esteemed members. Essentially after Rico violated the rule
and benefitted from the rule violation he argued that because Kearney
did not catch him on time there should be no violation...Many disagreed
but to bring this all back home this is my strongest and clearest argument
for FAIR PLAY becoming a staple in MWS play in both on and offline events.
Ask yourself if the Kearney/Rico debacle would have even been a factor
with Fair play?...would I even be writing this piece?... I'll answer
for ya..NO and NO I WOULD NOT...Additionally, why should one coach
who in some cases wants to circumvent rules have an advantage over his
opponent who clearly accepts and understands the rules, follows them but
is now forced to spend time policing his opponent?....How is that fair
at any level?...Fairplay eliminates one coach having to police the game
now allowing him to relax and execute his own gameplan without being worried
about being a coach and a referee. There is no more compelling argument
for Fair Play than the Kearney/Rico incident.
As one of the MWS forum senior members I clearly have seen how many
a baller will not only fight any level of guidelines that institute more
realism into the game but will also artfully avoid, circumvent and create
contraversial situations in that quest to win money, fame and notoriety.
I'm not certain where in the equation ballers felt it was OK to work around
rules as opposed to with them but it has been my longstanding opinion
and hope that the MWS would take a look at many of the historical events
that have affected the community such as 4th down rules, hurry up offense
abuse and other etiquette issues and look to make a concerted clean up
effort to balance the game and what the MWS product looks like when on
display to potential sponsors and members.
Fair Play is likely one of EA's best innovations as it takes real
life NFL play calling logic and scenarios and applies it to the game.
It essentially does for the MWS what can and should be done to clean up
the game and allow ballers on many different levels to reach common ground.
With Fair Play there is no blaming Swammi or some CC member for rulings
because the game inherently takes the responsibility to provide us with
options that are realistic within the framework of NFL playcalling.
Are we all not tired of seeing goofball decisions and unrealistic gameplay
that often has resulted in fewer numbers for tournament promoters and
a less interested MWS community?...has the community not spoken 2 years
ago when 4th down guidelines were instituted?
While we (The MWS) all collectively drag our feet on determining
what is real football and what isn't it appears that EA and other communities
already have answered that question with Fair Play....Now the question
is...What is the MWS waiting for?...Many community members want a MWS
that is proactive as opposed to reactive. The increase in younger
ballers with less true football knowledge but excelent videogame skills
is another reason why we need things like Fair Play as a teaching mechanism
that allows these younger ballers to truly get a better understanding
on why this game is about play calling, execution and outwitting your
opponent as opposed to outglitching your opponent or abusing the AI.
So finally the question for the MWS community is...Why Not Fair Play???
