To get really good at World of Warcraft, or any number of other games, the margins at the top end up being very, very small. Suddenly it’s not about “this sword is one notch better than this”, it’s about “if I take this sword together with this very specific gadget, together with just this attack that I can get if I make this exact choice in which traits I have, I am 0.5 percent more effective against this particular boss. But I have to change my hat, eat a fish and take another potion before the next one.”
These calculations, made with the help of various calculators and endless discussions, with outcomes sometimes set as requirements by people you play with, are necessary to assert yourself at the top in games with these elements.
«Theorycrafting»
This optimization and calculation on the small margins – in games known as “theorycrafting” – is familiar to those who have read the self-help book Mikrovaner. Here the example is taken from the top sport of the English national cycling team – a team which at the start of the 2000s was so legendarily bad that bicycle manufacturers refused to sell bicycles to them, to avoid bad PR.
In came a new coach: Dave Brailsford, a man whose philosophy was “aggregate marginal improvement”. He set about replacing small things that might improve the performance of the bike by 0.5 percent, changed the fabric of the suits and hired surgeons to teach the cyclists how to wash their hands properly.
The result was quite incredible. Just five years after Brailsford took over, the English dominated the Beijing Olympics.
But is it the sport and the pursuit of winning in top sport that drives people to dig deep into the half percent, or is it also a separate form of gaming pleasure? Those who see the game mostly as a kind of graphical user interface for their Excel sheet, after all, have a lot of fun entering things into the calculators, calculating interactions and finding perfect layouts for exactly the the map. That even if they will never play professional e-sports or be in a top guild in WoW.
There are people using Excel plugins for EVE online. Although it’s debatable whether EVE online is actually a game or a part-time job in logistics.
Logistics and tidiness
One of the great joys of watching live broadcasts by people who are really, really good at Factorio is seeing what I would call neat elegance. Assembly lines that effectively come together into a larger unit, without the kind of messy knots that those of us with a few hundred hours less necessarily and inevitably get.
It’s not just efficiency that tickles the back of your mind. It’s a nice layout. Clearly planned some time in advance. Symmetric functions.
There is something beautiful about such expressions of effort in propriety. Sometimes people also set their own goals. For example, make certain patterns or write a name with the objects.
But the margin and perfection itself are also about big numbers: “Science per minute” and how to most effectively achieve tiny growth in small margins with small changes.
City builder games with a large aspect of logistics management, traffic management and movement are a bit of the same wool. It also requires a good deal of thinking in advance about where to make room for motorways and public transport, which supply chains are placed where and the travel route between them.
The undersigned’s couple of hours spent optimizing a roundabout in Cities: Skylines on a few occasions – with add-on programs to handle signage and files through the roundabout – probably also places me quite clearly in a certain genre of perfectionist, even with my stated hatred for “theorycrafting”.
This search for beautiful patterns and order that you get scratched by taking a look inside a PC case and seeing some tidy cables. The Reddit channel “r/cableporn” exists for a reason. It is the same impulse that draws us towards the Tiktok tag “satisfying organizing”, a genre in which it is all too easy to get lost.
But shouldn’t the games really tell you how to play? Doesn’t exporting the game’s parts to calculators or Excel sheets break the magic a bit? That you are not allowed to raid if you do not have exactly this set of characteristics. That it’s actually impossible to really win the game without looking behind the curtain? That there are people who don’t just make calculators but make their own plugins so you can see more statistics or control factors on a more granular level? One could accuse this style of play of ruining the fun itself.
The advantage of digital
On the other hand, this is part of the joy of playing games on digital surfaces. The advantage of a digital format over a physical one, such as Dungeons and Dragons or Magic the Gathering, is that you can have more factors. There is no lack of space on the sheet. You have the option of more decimals and a wider range of interactions because you don’t have to sit and do the math on a dice roll with a d20 or 580 d6 – from Dungeons and Dragons and Shadowrun respectively.
It is a “feature” and not a “bug” that the top players should have the option of these optimisations. After a certain point, the skills have to go beyond just being the best at pressing buttons and having obtained the biggest sword from the previous boss enemy.
It also gives the player the opportunity to customize their own goals. You don’t HAVE to have perfect traffic flow if you just want to create an aesthetically pleasing city. There’s no need for you to raid in WoW if you’d rather fish or get all the hats in the game because stamp collecting is your thing.
If you play League of Legends to hang out with friends after the kids have gone to bed one day a week, optimization may not be the goal, but rather playing something that is fun. With properties you chose yourself because the effect looks good and it can be used to troll the rest of the team into doing something humorous.
Or you can make the music video for Darude’s Sandstorm in Factorio by building a virtual computer with a display instead of building a factory:
The Perils and Pleasures of Gaming Optimization
Ah, World of Warcraft! The sacred realm where virtual blades clash, and where your character’s wardrobe coordination can mean the difference between virtual glory and humiliation. Who knew a game could turn into a bureaucratic nightmare where sword choices are meticulously compared with the same level of seriousness you’d apply to choosing a mortgage? “Yes, I’d like the 0.5 percent more effective sword. Oh, and can you throw in a hat that matches my new belt?”
The Elusive 0.5 Percent
What’s that? Marginal gains in gaming? Welcome to the world of theorycrafting, where every tiny detail is scrutinized like a contestant on a cooking show awaiting judgment by Gordon Ramsay. And much like said contestants, who are too busy worrying about their soufflés, players are endlessly calculating their every move. “If I drink this potion and swap out my boots, I can marginally boost my DPS against that boss… but only if I also consume that very specific fish I caught last Tuesday.” You can practically hear the calculators clacking away in the background!
From Cycling to Gaming: The Dave Brailsford Effect
Let’s switch gears for a moment—pun intended! The article points to Dave Brailsford, the coach who took the British cycling team from zero to hero by fiddling with all the minor elements that made a difference. Imagine that in gaming terms: a developer keen on making every pixel count, optimizing the fabric of the virtual robes as much as the speed of the bike. “Need a 0.5% increase in your cycling performance? Don’t forget to wash your hands properly. Hygiene, lads!”
The Beauty of Logistics
Then we have those games like Factorio, where watching a well-organized factory line is akin to watching a ballet—you can’t help but marvel at the neat elegance of it all. A perfectly stacked assembly line is what dreams are made of for those of us who find beauty in spreadsheets and symmetry. The only difference? Your spouse isn’t likely to roll their eyes at you for spending too much time making everything neat and tidy in a game instead of cleaning your own office!
The Truth About Enjoyment
One might pose the question: Does optimizing every element strip the joy from games? Do we really need interactive spreadsheets mixed with our endless fantasy quests? Many might argue that, yes, it does shatter the magic when someone yells from behind their keyboard, “You *must* have this specific trait or face obliteration!” But hold your horses! On the flip side, having all these shiny digital tools at our disposal gives us the freedom to shape our fun. If you want to build a metropolis more stunning than Monaco in Cities: Skylines, well, go wild! It’s your show!
Digital Dynamism vs. Tabletop Troubles
When you contrast digital games with the likes of Dungeons & Dragons, it becomes clear: the ability to track all those interdependent systems without needing a PhD in mathematics is a glorious advantage. No more calculating your attack rolls on the back of a napkin while your friends drool at your inadequate summation! Now you can exchange numbers and digits without needing to worry whether your character’s ability is impacted by the weather or the choice of your breakfast cereal!
The Final Word
Whether you’re slashing through mobs in WoW or meticulously optimizing the optimal roundabout in your pretentious pixelated town, one thing is clear: gaming is as multifaceted as a diamond. While some might find joy in pure combat or raiding, others are satisfied with crafting their own tiny pixelated paradise. Edit out the optimization? Why not embrace it like an old friend who’s always slightly annoying—but hey, he brings snacks!
So whether you’re there for the min-maxing, the neat logistics, or simply to make a musical tribute to your favorite 90s DJ in Factorio, enjoy the ride. Just remember, keep your potions ready, and never underestimate the synergy between your hat and your sword!
To excel in World of Warcraft, or a host of other intricate games, the differences between elite players become astonishingly narrow. It’s not merely a matter of selecting a sword with slightly superior stats; instead, a player might find themselves contemplating the synergies between a specific weapon, a precise gadget, and a unique attack—resulting in a mere 0.5 percent increase in effectiveness against a particular boss. This level of optimization requires the player to reconsider their entire approach: changing headgear, consuming a specific fish dish, and chugging a complementary potion right before the next confrontation.
Such computations are often assisted by various online calculators and the countless discussions among peers. Additionally, these mathematical outcomes are typically imposed as requirements by fellow players, cementing the need for precision if one wishes to secure a top position in such competitions.
«Theorycrafting»
This meticulous optimization process—known in gaming circles as “theorycrafting”—draws parallels to ideas presented in the self-help book Mikrovaner. The author cites the transformation of the English national cycling team, which once held a notorious reputation for mediocrity. This team, in the early 2000s, was so underperforming that bicycle manufacturers shunned them for fear of negative publicity.
Yet, the arrival of coach Dave Brailsford changed everything. His philosophy revolved around the principle of “aggregate marginal improvement.” He relentlessly pursued tiny adjustments that enhanced bicycle performance by as little as 0.5 percent, redesigned cycling suits, and even hired medical professionals to instruct cyclists in proper hand-washing techniques to improve hygiene.
The outcomes were nothing short of remarkable. A mere five years post-Brailsford’s appointment, the English cycling team showcased their dominance at the Beijing Olympics, capturing the world’s attention.
But the inquiry remains: is it the urge to compete in elite sports that propels individuals to exhaust every half percent of improvement, or is there an inherent pleasure derived from gaming itself? Many players treat the gaming experience as an engaging platform akin to an Excel spreadsheet, relishing the opportunities to input values, calculate interactions, and discover optimal strategies specifically for each game map—even if they have no aspirations of ever entering professional e-sports or joining the ranks of top guilds in World of Warcraft.
Among these enthusiasts are players who utilize advanced Excel plugins for EVE Online, a title often debated as resembling a logistics job rather than a game.
Logistics and tidiness
One of the sheer delights in watching proficient players tackle Factorio is witnessing their craftsmanship result in what can only be termed neat elegance. They create assembly lines that seamlessly converge into larger constructs, devoid of the chaotic tangles that often afflict those of us who have invested fewer hours into the game.
It’s not merely their efficiency that captivates; it’s also the aesthetic appeal. Their layouts reflect meticulous planning, exhibiting symmetry and functionality that suggest a deep forethought.
This pursuit of perfection leads players to establish their own unique goals, such as crafting intricate patterns or even spelling names using in-game objects. However, achieving this perfection is equally about maximizing significant metrics like “Science per minute,” and optimizing incremental growth through minor adjustments.
City builder games that emphasize logistics, traffic management, and efficient transportation systems often mirror these ideals. Players must think strategically about where to position highways and public transit, as well as where supply chains should converge and the most efficient travel paths among them.
The hours I have devoted to refining a roundabout in Cities: Skylines, through the aid of supplementary programs for signage and traffic flow optimization, unmistakably place me within the realm of perfectionist gamers—despite my proclaimed disdain for “theorycrafting.”
This intense search for captivating patterns extends to the organization found within a PC case, where tidy cables offer a sense of satisfaction. The Reddit community “r/cableporn” thrives for this very reason, paralleling the popularity of the TikTok trend focused on “satisfying organizing,” a realm where one can easily lose track of time.
Yet, one could argue: shouldn’t games intuitively provide guidance on how to play? Is the act of transferring game mechanics into calculators or spreadsheets not somewhat detrimental to the immersive experience? The notion that specific attributes are mandatory for raiding—or that genuine victory is unattainable without peeking behind the curtain—might suggest to some players that such a method undermines the enjoyment of the game.
The advantage of digital
Conversely, this analytical depth shines a light on one of the true joys of digital gameplay. Unlike traditional board games like Dungeons and Dragons or Magic: The Gathering, the digital medium allows for numerous variables without the constraints of limited physical space. Players can calculate finer details than manually rolling dice, whether it’s a d20 or an impressive collection of dice from games like Shadowrun.
Thus, it becomes evident that these optimization opportunities are features—not bugs—of digital games. Beyond a certain proficiency, skills must transcend the basics of button-mashing and simply wielding the most powerful weapons acquired from previous bouts.
The digital format empowers players as well, allowing them to set personal goals that align with their gaming preferences. Not everyone is required to achieve flawless traffic systems in their virtual cities; some may prefer creating aesthetically pleasing towns as a personal project. Similarly, in World of Warcraft, a player can choose to fish or collect unique hats, reveling in the joy of stamp collecting rather than pursuing competitive raids.
For those engaging in League of Legends primarily to socialize with friends after a long day, optimization may not take precedence; instead, the goal might be to enjoy the game while whimsically influencing the team’s decisions in amusing ways.
Ultimately, one might even embark on an ambitious journey in Factorio, creating a whimsical music video for Darude’s Sandstorm by constructing a virtual machine capable of displaying this iconic tune, rather than concentrating solely on typical factory-building endeavors.
Interview: The Dynamics of Theorycrafting in Gaming
Interviewer: Today, we’re joined by gaming analyst and enthusiast, Jordan Lee, to discuss the fascinating realm of theorycrafting in games like World of Warcraft. Welcome, Jordan.
Jordan Lee: Thanks for having me! Excited to dive into this topic.
Interviewer: Let’s start with the concept of theorycrafting. Many players know it involves extensive calculations to optimize gameplay, but can you explain why these tiny margins, like a 0.5 percent increase, matter so much?
Jordan Lee: Great question! In competitive gaming, every little advantage can be the difference between success and failure. When facing tough bosses or high-stakes encounters, even a slight improvement in damage output can lead to victory. It’s all about maximizing efficiency. Players are conditioned to find these small margins, believing that they pave the way to glory.
Interviewer: And how does this relate to the idea of “aggregate marginal improvement” that we’ve seen in other fields, like professional sports?
Jordan Lee: Absolutely! The concept comes from Dave Brailsford, who revamped the British cycling team by focusing on tiny tweaks. In gaming, we see similar philosophies. Players scrutinize everything from gear to abilities, looking for optimal combinations that yield the best performance. It transforms gameplay into a puzzle—players not only need skill but also analytical thinking.
Interviewer: So there seems to be a duality here—competitive drive versus finding joy in optimization. How do you see that tension playing out among gamers?
Jordan Lee: It’s a fascinating dichotomy. For some, the thrill lies in the competition, pushing for top rankings. Others appreciate theorycrafting as a form of enjoyment in itself. They revel in creating formulas or finding a perfect resource flow in games like Factorio. Whether it’s competitive or artistic in nature, a portion of the community finds satisfaction in the pursuit of perfection.
Interviewer: You touched on aesthetics in gaming, like the beauty of well-organized factories. Can you expand on that idea?
Jordan Lee: Sure! Neatness and efficiency appeal to our innate sense of order. Games like Factorio showcase that perfectly; the satisfaction derived from an efficient assembly line or an elegantly designed city in Cities: Skylines brings joy that transcends mere gameplay. Many find that, akin to crafts, creating aesthetically pleasing layouts is rewarding and fulfilling.
Interviewer: there’s been some debate about whether relying on calculators and spreadsheets takes away from the joy of gaming. What’s your perspective?
Jordan Lee: It’s a nuanced conversation. Some argue that it breaks immersion or makes the game feel too clinical. However, many players appreciate the opportunity to shape their experience through these tools. They may prefer creating their unique paths while still leveraging optimization if they choose to do so. Ultimately, gaming is about enjoyment, and if calculations enhance that experience, then why not embrace it?
Interviewer: Thank you, Jordan, for your insights! It sounds like whether through competitive spirit or artistic expression, theorycrafting continues to shape our gaming experiences in profound ways.
Jordan Lee: Thanks for having me! It’s been a pleasure discussing this multifaceted aspect of gaming.
While not always at the forefront of discussions about gaming, the visual elegance of gameplay can be just as rewarding as the competitive aspects. Players often derive pleasure from creating aesthetically pleasing setups, whether in a sprawling city in Cities: Skylines or an intricate assembly line in Factorio. The satisfaction from achieving both form and function can transcend the game’s primary objectives, transforming gameplay into an art form.
Interviewer: It seems that aesthetics play a crucial role in engaging gamers at a deeper level. Do you believe that this focus on beauty and order could attract a different audience, perhaps those who might not typically consider themselves gamers?
Jordan Lee: Definitely! The appeal of well-organized gameplay mechanics can attract individuals who may not engage with traditional competitive gaming elements. This unique intersection of art and gaming opens the door for a broader audience, inviting those who appreciate visual order and creativity. For instance, communities like “r/cableporn” on Reddit celebrate neatness and organization, demonstrating that there’s an audience out there devoted to the aesthetics of systems—even in gaming.
Interviewer: With various gaming modalities available, how do you think players balance optimization and pure enjoyment?
Jordan Lee: Players often navigate this balance based on personal goals and gaming experiences. For some, the thrill of climbing leaderboards and maximizing every stat is the driving force. For others, games serve as a creative outlet, where it is perfectly fine to pursue unconventional goals that enhance their entertainment rather than focusing solely on efficiency. Ultimately, it’s about finding your niche—whether that’s perfecting every detail for the thrill of competition or building a visually stunning wonderland simply for the joy of creation.
Interviewer: What advice would you give to gamers striving for a balance between optimization and enjoyment?
Jordan Lee: I’d encourage them to remember that gaming is a personal journey. It’s vital to set goals that resonate with you rather than solely following external pressures, whether from peers or online communities. If optimizing brings joy, embrace that. But if crafting beautiful setups brings more satisfaction, that’s equally valid. Ultimately, it’s about embracing your gaming experience in a way that resonates with your personal values and enjoyment. There’s no one “right” way to play—there’s only your way.
Interviewer: Thank you, Jordan. This discussion sheds light on the fascinating dynamics of theorycrafting and the balance of aesthetics and optimization in gaming!
Jordan Lee: Thank you for having me! I enjoyed our conversation and hope it sparks thought among gamers about how they engage with their favorite titles.
