Boss Rush Banter: Is the Phrase “Get Good” a Fair Use of Criticism?

When we hear the phrase “Triple AAA Gaming”, we recognize modern titles like Fortnite, Call Of Duty, and Grand Theft Auto. The medium has grown over the years with new ideas becoming not just mainstays but basic foundations on learning multiple genres across the board. With tutorials implemented in the game and not an instruction booklet, some gamers think it’s easier for anyone to come into the hobby of gaming and be able to comprehend the game play mechanics. The thing that many don’t grasp though is that some titles, popular or not, don’t teach you anything, and those who’re familiar with a series and the game mechanics may not be willing to explain and teach. Rather you learn on your own and say a phrase that may offend, turn off other players, or outright abandon video games. So, i have to ask: is the phrase “Get Good” a fair to criticize someone?

I believe it’s not. It’s not encouraging, and it doesn’t help anyone comprehend what the game asks of you and some gamers are at different levels of learning and pulling off different move sets in a game. How do you get good at a game? Repetitive play doesn’t help those who may feel that a game is wasting their time and not delivering progress.

I understand that every game has a learning curve. If the learning curve is too challenging, they may move on to another title and never revisit that genre ever again. The phrase “Get Good” doesn’t produce results, but only a negative attitude. It shows that a particular gamer isn’t someone who has the interest in newcomers desire to learn and have fun with a genre they are trying to become acquainted with. To me, “Get Good” carries arrogance across the board.

To say that it’s fair criticism is obnoxious. I can’t tell a Souls player to learn a stylized action game and then if they tell the world on their social media that they aren’t enjoying the genre because they keep losing in fights to “Get Good” and learn the combo system. That isn’t fair to them, and makes me look like I am humiliating them, especially if I come and show recorded game play of me pulling off multiple combos.

We want to embrace newcomers to video games or a genre we love by being supportive and helping out. We want to know that receiving that “Game Over” screen isn’t the end of the world or that the player is a bad gamer. It just means that work needs to be put in and we should be there to help them out. No matter if it’s Monster Hunter, Dark Souls, Destiny, The Division, Super Mario Bros. Wii U, Smash Brothers Melee, Street Fighter, and even Puyo Puyo Tetris, we should reach out and play with them, and talk them through it and teach them. It may take a while, but that’s what a positive gaming community does. Telling someone “Get Good” whether you’re serious or joking, doesn’t benefit anyone and can make other players not want to game with you.

So, let’s be mindful of the phrase “Get Good”. Let the player tell themselves “I need to get good at this game” in their own time and space. They don’t need to feel like they’re a failure. If you think that phrase is fair to use, then play games with others who will tell you that repeatedly when you lose and they shout it out at you constantly. The feeling could upset you but then you realize who you said that too and how it made them feel. We can encourage others to improve their skills in games. Let’s use that effort to do so.

Do you think its fair criticism? Have you use the phrase toward someone or has it been used against you? Let us know in the comments or on our Discord.