Foes. Friends.

[PumpItUp]

I've noticed an odd trend on the Escapist. After duking it out with several people over forum threads, a large percentage have requested me to be their friend afterward. I'm curious as to why that is and I wonder how often this happens. Has this happened to you?

 

[Mean Mother Rucker]

Maybe it's just a "Thrill of the Hunt" type thing. Perhaps they really enjoyed your argument.

EDIT: That, or they want to get on your good side like a good brown-noser always does.

 

[Aardvark]

There's achievements for making X number of friends, so everybody will friend anyone they can in order to reach this arbitrary number and get the associated achievement badge.

 

[Shade Jackrabbit]

Just speaking for myself, I like to keep tabs on encounters with people who I find interesting or helpful, whether they agree with me or not. Sometimes having an opposing viewpoint around can be interesting and helpful.

 

[sneakypenguin]

I only add someone as a friend if their response was not in anger at mine but rather a rational defense of their view. So for me at least its the equivalent of a head nod of respect in their direction.

 

[PumpItUp]

There's achievements for making X number of friends, so everybody will friend anyone they can in order to reach this arbitrary number and get the associated achievement badge.

But isn't that like peeling a banana to eat the skin? What's the point?

 

[Blank Verse]

No friends. =(

Then again, I don't have any interest in discussing things here. I get enough of that crap in the debate club. xD

 

[black lincon]

Most recently the only people I've added are the people who I've played with on live. That's not counting the people who add me, I'm always welcoming stuff like that and I'll usually add you so long as I've actually conversed with you.

 

[PumpItUp]

I've noticed an odd trend on the Escapist. After duking it out with several people over forum threads, a large percentage have requested me to be their friend afterward. I'm curious as to why that is and I wonder how often this happens. Has this happened to you?

I HATE YOU SHUT UP ASSHOLE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

*Stickguy attempts to become friends with Pump*
----- DENIED! -----

 

[Higurashi]

Yup, it has. Rivalry is a form of friendship, didn't you know? ^_^

 

[black lincon]

There's achievements for making X number of friends, so everybody will friend anyone they can in order to reach this arbitrary number and get the associated achievement badge.

But isn't that like peeling a banana to eat the skin? What's the point?

to keep with the simile, some people prefer a bitter taste. It's nice to be able to have the 100 friends badge but if only 10 of those people added you, it's a bitter-sweet victory.

 

[Aardvark]

But isn't that like peeling a banana to eat the skin? What's the point?

It's more like peeling a bunch of bananas and nailing them to your wall to get a trophy for the yellowest wall around. Nobody really cares and it won't matter soon after you achieve it anyway, because the skins will turn brown or you'll get other achievements.

I suppose some people see it as a "Wow, you're awesome" thumbs up mechanic, because people love to be associated with awesome.

 

[ace_of_something]

My best friend/roommate who i've been friends with for... 24ish years now. When we first met in 1st grade we hated each others guts and got in a fistfight over... something? I don't remember. I was 5.

Maybe they like your arguments and friend you out of respect? Or after trading blows with someone you kind of know who they are in a way.

Edit: I just asked him, He's pretty sure it involved someone's turn using the slide or something

 

[Sketchy]

I don't add anyone, and nobody adds me. I'm so lonely...
*Cries*

 

[PumpItUp]

But isn't that like peeling a banana to eat the skin? What's the point?

It's more like peeling a bunch of bananas and nailing them to your wall to get a trophy for the yellowest wall around. Nobody really cares and it won't matter soon after you achieve it anyway, because the skins will turn brown or you'll get other achievements.

I suppose some people see it as a "Wow, you're awesome" thumbs up mechanic, because people love to be associated with awesome.

Then continuing with the trophy thing, could this be extrapolated to achievements like XBoxLive? Are XBoxLive trophies pointless? *smirk* sorry, I can't finish that sentence with a straight face.
Are videogame achievements meaningless? That's better.